Join Five Rivers MetroParks horticulture education team and support family programming throughout the year that connects visitors of all ages to the natural world through storytime, gardening, and meaningful exploration of the outdoors! This opportunity will focus on a storytime followed by a related activity that follows the theme of the garden-related story. Help us share amazing stories with children, exciting them about discoveries they can find in nature, and encouraging them to get outside and explore.
Impact
Program support volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, and safety into our programs. Volunteers enable more individualized support for first-time learners and create an inclusive skill-building environment. Volunteers help people create a stronger connection to nature by making it easy to experience the outdoors in fun activities.
Tasks
- Welcome participants and assist with check-in.
- Help staff with program set-up & tear-down, including distributing program supplies.
- Assist the staff lead with the story, take a portion, or read the whole story.
- Assist with and participate with families in program activities.
- Provide excellent customer service to participants and visitors.
- Visit MetroParks Programs and Events page* to learn more about the corresponding program date you'll be volunteering.
- 10/10 - "Empanadas for Everyone " By Jackie Azúa Kramer. This book showcases a lyrical and nourishing tale about the importance of food to a community—and the value of community to the experience of cooking—as told through the eyes of a young girl helping her tía. Craft - TBD
- 11/28 - "The Corn Chief" by Karen Whetung. A story of hard work, perseverance, developing leadership skills, and reaching your goals! With the wizened old chief set to step down, young Linny dreams of being chosen as his replacement. Craft - Corn Husk Dolls
- 12/12 - "Winter Sleep " By Sean Taylor. In this cozy bedtime story, follow a child and his grandma through a winter landscape to explore how the Earth goes to sleep for winter. Spot the sleeping animals as the tale unfolds, then learn about their hibernation habits from the information pages at the end.. Craft - TBD
- 1/9/2026 - "Shante Keys and the New Years Peas" By Sean Taylor. In this story, the lighthearted rhyme presents various cultural food customs associated with the holiday. A look at New Year's traditions around the world and a recipe for Hoppin' John are appended. Craft - New Year's Lucky Items
- 2/13/2026 - "Little Hearts" By Charles Ghigna. This book is a gentle introduction to the world of nature for young children, written in rhyming stanzas. It reminds us to take our time and appreciate our surroundings and the beauty of nature. Craft - Pressed Redbud leaves; and demonstration of heart anatomy
- 3/20/2026 - "Joy Takes Root" By Gwendolyn Wallace. In this story, a young girl learns about mindfulness and herbal medicine in this soothing intergenerational story about our connection to nature.. Craft - Seed Planting Activity
- 4/10/2026 - "The Great Labne Trade" By Eman Saleh. In this story, Ahmed is reluctant to pack labne sandwiches for lunch. He didn’t want to stand out. With the help of his mother, he learns to embrace his Arab heritage and learn his first lesson in business. Craft - TBD
Eligibility: This opportunity is open to Short-term and Long-Term. Learn more about our types of service here. Volunteers should have good reading skills, be enthusiastic about finding discoveries in the garden, and enjoy working with children and families.
Additional Notes
Environment & Physical Demands: This opportunity is indoors. The market may be cool in the winter and warm in the summer. Volunteers may have light physical duties like standing, walking, and light lifting to help set up and tear down. The market may be busy with a lot of ambient noise during the program time. This is a family program, and volunteers should enjoy working with kids and families.
Parking & Meeting Instructions: Parking is available at the 2nd Street Parking lots. Volunteers are scheduled to arrive 1/2 hour before the program begins for set up and a brief orientation, review of roles and activities, and to gather supplies needed. Please arrive early to park and check in. You will meet the staff lead in the Pavilion or dining area.
Dress: Please dress appropriately for the weather. Wear your volunteer name badge, and if you have one, your volunteer T-shirt.
Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position Description for more information.
