Join Five Rivers MetroParks education team and support family programming throughout the year that connects visitors of all ages to the natural world through storytime, history, and farm activities, and meaningful exploration of the connections of the two time periods! This opportunity will focus on a storytime followed by a related activity that follows the theme of the story. Please 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 and history by making it easy to experience these things 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.
- Saturday, November 15 - “A Broom for Ma” by Rhonda Cable. In this story, we will introduce you to the art and beauty of the Appalachian handcraft of broom making. Spend an autumn morning in the mountains with Amos and follow him step by step as he hand-makes a new broom for Ma. Craft Activity: Small broom ornament
- Saturday, December 20 - “Wild Rose’s Weaving” by Ginger Churchill. In this story, Rose’s grandmother teaches her how to weave a rug and, in the process, teaches her about creativity, the influence of nature, and the interplay between art and life. Craft Activity: Beginning Weaving
- Saturday, January 17 - “One Horse Farm” By Dahlov Ipcar. This book tells the story of a boy and a horse who grow up together on a farm and watch the world change around them.
Craft activity: Small Farm project - Saturday, February 14 - “Once Upon a Thread: A Patchwork Story Sewn with Love” By Debbie Dee. This is a story that shares a heartwarming celebration of creativity, courage, and the power of telling your story—one stitch at a time.
Craft activity: Small Quilt project - Saturday, March 21 - “Marigold Garden” By Kate Greenaway. Many well-known and loved nursery rhymes, presented with delightful imagery, are part of this storytime. Rhymes include 'Blue Shoes', 'The Daisies', 'The Tea Party', 'To Mystery Land', 'When We Went Out with Grandma', 'When you and I Grow Up', and many more. It is a text sure to enchant both young and old.
Craft activity: Making pots and envelopes for seeds
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Short-term and Long-Term. Learn more about our types of service here. Volunteers should have good reading skills, be enthusiastic, and enjoy working with children and families.
Additional Notes
Parking & Meeting Instructions: Parking is available at the the Visitor Center. Click here for the Map of Carriage Hill. 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. If you need to reach the staff lead, please text 937-974-8601, and remember to include the subject and your name.
Environment & Physical Demands: This opportunity is indoors, but depending on the story, may venture outdoors at the historic farm. Volunteers may have light physical duties like standing, walking, and light lifting to help set up and tear down. For some of the activities, nimble fingers may be helpful. This is a family program, and volunteers should enjoy working with kids and families.
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 for more information on programming opportunities with us.
