This Mud Day event aims to allow everyone to play in the mud! Volunteers will set up and support a variety of mud-themed activity stations in the Children's Discovery Garden. During this program, volunteers should plan to get dirty while engaging visitors in the activities supporting these fun mud-themed activities. Program support volunteers do not need to be experts in the activity, but it is important that they enjoy working with kids and their families. This opportunity will need the child in each volunteer to come out to play !
Mud Ball Critters — invite people to create their own mud critter masterpieces using mud and natural materials. (1 Volunteer)
Mud Kitchen — invite everyone to make mud creations using typical kitchen tools and baking supplies. Think pies, cupcakes, pizza, donuts, or let them be creative and make a new dish. (2 Volunteer)
GetMuddy Mud Pools and clean up station — invite people to hop in! (2 Volunteers)
Mud Mural — invite everyone to paint with mud and paint on the papers attached to the side of the shed. (2 Volunteers)
Mud Ball Toss— invite children to play a game where they throw balls of mud into different-sized buckets! (1 Volunteer)
Dinosaur Hug — encourage visitors to hug a muddy inflatable dinosaur and explore our dinosaur garden. (1 Volunteer)
Monster Stomp — invite people to put on the flippers, and pretend to be the Mud Monster stomping down the muddy tarp and through a small city of buildings. (1 Volunteer)
Craft and Memento Station — assist visitors in creating a memento of the day with craft supplies provided. (1 Volunteer)
Mud Race Track— invite people have a race through the mud, using toy cars and trucks. (1 Volunteer)
Muddy Surprise Creature Station— At 3 set times, volunteers will invite visitors to search for creatures in the container of mud. There will be a time limit to allow everyone to play. *** During other times, this station will support the busiest station. (1 Volunteer)
Mud Birthday Cake — To celebrate the Children's Garden's 20th anniversary, invite visitors to decorate the cake with mud and natural art materials. (1 Volunteer)
Impact
Volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, safety, and FUN 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
- Arrive and check in with your Staff Lead to receive your activity assignment and prepare supplies. This program runs from 10 am-1 pm.
- Volunteers will assist with setting up and closing the activity stations.
- Introduce the activity to participants and ensure everyone has an opportunity to participate.
- Provide a welcoming, safe, positive experience for all participants.
- Review where stations are located to better assist the public. Click here to view a map of the stations and activities.
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to individual Short-term, Long-Term, and youth volunteers, ages 14 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 to view the map of Wegerzyn Gardens. Volunteers should park in the main parking lot in front of the Administrative building and meet with the staff lead at Skeeter's Garden. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes before your shift to allow for parking, checking in, and connecting with the staff lead.
- Cancellation: If you need to cancel a shift at the last minute or are running late, please call the staff lead, Betty Hoevel, at 937-276-7052.
- Environment & Physical Demands: This is an outdoor activity, and you may get dirty. This opportunity involves working with or near mud. Physical duties include standing, walking, and lifting. Volunteers may want to bring a water bottle, sunblock, and a towel to clean up (if needed).
- Dress: Please wear closed-toe shoes, your volunteer name badge, and apparel. Reusable volunteer vests will be provided for volunteers on-site.
Learn more about the 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 this opportunity:
