Step Outside This Winter and Make a Difference! Just because it's cold outside doesn't mean you have to stay indoors! Winter is one of the most beautiful times to explore MetroParks. This winter, consider volunteering with the MetroParks Recreation Team to support participants during guided hikes on our beautiful trails. As a Program Support Volunteer, assist staff in encouraging participants as they enjoy a guided winter hike at Germantown MetroPark. Crisp air, quiet trails, and stunning seasonal scenery create the perfect backdrop for adventure. Whether someone is discovering the trails for the first time or returning for another outdoor adventure, your friendly support and enthusiasm will help create a welcoming and memorable experience. Volunteers will assist staff by engaging participants with interesting facts about the park's history, natural features, and seasonal discoveries while helping hikers stay motivated along the yellow trail and hiking approximately 1.3-mile route. Together, you'll inspire people of all ages to stay active, connect with nature, and discover how spending time outdoors can benefit both physical and mental well-being.
Impact
Volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, and safety into our programs for all interested in learning. They enable more individualized support for first-time learners and create a better skill-building environment. Volunteers help people make a stronger connection to nature by making it easy to experience the outdoors in fun activities.
Tasks
- Greet and welcome participants
- Assist with check-in for the program
- Assist the staff lead during the program to create a better learning environment for this unique group hike.
- Help distribute program materials and supplies as needed.
- Assist participants in staying with the group by hiking with them, observing any changes in participants, and keeping the staff lead aware of any participants having difficulty.
- Share Park highlights, nature tidbits, and information the staff shares with participants further back on the hike.
- Assist the staff lead in ensuring all participants feel they are part of the program
- Assist with clean-up and equipment tear-down after the program if needed.
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to individual, long-term, and short-term volunteers, ages 16 and up.
- GET STARTED: This opportunity requires Volunteer Onboarding (Profile, Volunteer Handbook Signature, and for those 18 and up, an eligible background check). Simply click the blue RESPOND button to begin completing the required qualifications, or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer.
Additional Notes
- Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Possum Creek MetroPark. Volunteers should park and meet the staff at the Highview Shelter. Your shift time begins 30 minutes before the program starts for quick review, last-minute prep, and to introduce you to highlights of the park.
- Environment & Physical Demands: This program takes place outdoors - Please be aware of outdoor exposure risks (i.e. sun, poison ivy, cold, etc.). Volunteers may participate in some bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects of 15lbs or more. The environment may have uneven terrain, and communication between the leader of the hike and volunteers will use a point-to-point radio. Volunteers should be able to hike the distance of the trails (~1.3 miles in 1.5 hours), and be comfortable hiking in cold weather with possible snow-covered trails.
- Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear long pants, closed-toe shoes, and your MetroParks name badge. Items like water bottles, sunscreen, and walking poles may help make your hike more comfortable. If you have not yet received your MetroParks name badge, please reach out to volunteer services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org.
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:
