Looking for a fun way to be part of the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience? Join the Five Rivers MetroParks team as a Boat Assistant Volunteer for our popular Try Paddlesports activity! Working alongside the experienced team from Taiters Kayak, and supported and supervised by Five Rivers MetroParks staff, you'll help create a safe, welcoming, and memorable experience for participants trying kayaking, canoeing, or stand-up paddleboarding for the first time. As a Boat Assistant Volunteer, you'll help participants select the appropriate watercraft, assist them with safely getting in and out of their boat, and perform a final safety check before they head out on the water. Your encouragement and attention to detail will help new paddlers feel confident as they discover the fun of paddlesports.
Impact
Program Support volunteers are critical in ensuring we can provide high-quality, engaging programming like these 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 the paddlesport area.
- Ensure each paddler is wearing an activity wristband. Watch this video to learn more about our activity waivers.
- Ensure each paddler is properly fitted for their life jacket. Watch this video to learn more about fitting a life jacket.
- Assist staff lead with posted safety guidelines for participation in recreation activities as needed.
- Assist paddlers with finding a boat.
- Assist people with moving into boats from the dock to the water and vice versa.
- Monitor the dock area and water for safety.
- Answer any questions to the best of your ability, and direct them 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 18 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 program takes place outdoors. Please be aware of outdoor exposure risks ( i.e., sun, poison ivy, insects, etc). Volunteers should be aware of seasonal allergies (i.e., grass, pollen, bees, etc.), and will participate in bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects of 15 lbs. or more. This opportunity requires volunteers to be near the water and be observant of their surroundings. 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
