Experience the excitement of a different type of cycling at the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience! Five Rivers MetroParks is looking for volunteers to support our popular "Try It" bike activities. Working alongside Mike's Bike Park and supported and supervised by Five Rivers MetroParks staff, you'll help participants get fitted with the right bike and helmet, learn basic safety tips, and build confidence before they take a ride on the pump track or tot track. While cycling experience is helpful, it's not required. We'll provide the guidance you need. These hands-on activities give visitors the chance to discover the fun of riding beyond the pavement, and your encouragement will help create a safe, welcoming, and memorable experience.
Impact
Program Support volunteers are critical in ensuring we can provide high-quality, engaging programming like "try it" activities to the public. They help build access, comfort, convenience, and safety into our programs for participants. They enable more individualized support for first-time participants and help create excitement and energy at outdoor recreation events.
Tasks
- Greet and welcome participants to the event and to the Bike Village.
- Ensure all participants are wearing activity wristbands before participating (which indicates they have signed a release waiver). If they do not yet have a waiver, point out on an event map where the nearest waiver station is located. Watch this video to learn more about our activity waivers.
- Review and ensure activity participants follow the posted safety guidelines.
- Assist with line management, helmet fitting, and bike fitting – participants MUST wear helmets (including those on personal bikes). Watch this video to learn more about helmet and bike fitting.
- Report any issues to the Event Staff or sponsoring supervisor.
- Answer any questions to your ability, and direct participants to staff if unsure.
- Help set up and tear down as needed.
- Volunteers should take a few minutes towards the end of their shift to train their volunteer replacement. Pass along all the tips and tricks you learned during your shift to the next shift volunteers.
- If there is not a replacement, please make contact with a MetroParks staff member or Volunteer Services.
- You are the face of MetroParks at this event...smile, be enthusiastic, and enjoy the event!
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to individual, public, long-term, or short-term volunteers, ages 16 and up. Simply click the blue RESPOND button to sign up or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer.
- Background Check: We do not require a background check for our public volunteer opportunities; however, persons with a criminal record may be disqualified and prohibited from service. Please review our background check policy here. For those required to complete Court Appointed Community Service, please click here.
Additional Note
- Parking and Meeting Instructions: Parking is available for volunteers off Springfield Street. Volunteers should check in at Volunteer Central in the Bluegrass Shelter located directly across the footbridge by the lagoon. Please arrive 15 minutes early to park, check in, and get to your volunteer location.
- Cancellation: If you need to cancel a shift last minute or are running late, please contact the staff lead.
- Environment and Physical Demands: This position does involve heavy lifting and will include in some bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects of 20lbs or more. Volunteers will be provided with all needed equipment and safety gear on-site. As this program takes place outdoors, please be aware of outdoor exposure risks (i.e., sun, poison ivy, insects, etc.). including seasonal allergens (i.e., grass, pollen, bees, etc.). Volunteers should bring their favorite reusable water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray.
- Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Reusable volunteer vests and event nametags will be provided for you onsite at volunteer check-in.
- Special Note: While there will be alcoholic drinks available at this event, volunteers should abstain until after they have completed their volunteer service. Also, even though this is a dog-friendly event, volunteers are asked to enjoy the event with their furry friends after they have completed volunteering.
- IMPORTANT: Please review this Concussion Awareness Handout from the CDC before your volunteer shift. If you suspect that any participant might be showing signs or symptoms of a concussion, alert Five Rivers MetroParks staff right away.
Learn more about Programming opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.
Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and
experience different parts of the parks! Consider these opportunities:
Additional Opportunities at the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience
