This Mud Day event aims to allow everyone to play in the mud! Volunteers will be setting up and supporting a variety of mud-themed activity stations in the Children's Discovery Garden. Program Support Volunteers should plan to get dirty while supporting these fun mud-themed activities:
Mud Kitchen—invite everyone to make mud cupcakes, and decorate mud ice cream cones, doughnuts, and coffee shop. (2 Volunteer)
GetMuddy Mud Pools and clean up station — invite people to hop in! (2 Volunteers)
Mud Giant—invite people to put on flippers, step into the mud pool, and then make giant mud tracks on the tarp and roar like a mud monster! (1 Volunteer)
Mud Mural—invite everyone to paint with mud and paint on the papers attached to the side of the shed. (2 Volunteers)
Mud Spatter Monsters— invite people to create their own scary or friendly monster using mud and natural items. (1 Volunteer)
Mud Ball Critters— invite people to create their own mud critter masterpieces using mud and natural items. (1 Volunteer)
Mud Cities—invite people to build mud cities and roads on the tarp and to use sand and other forms to create buildings. (1 Volunteer)
Mud Dinosaur Play Station— invite adults and kids to play with toy dinosaurs in the mud pool in our dinosaur area. Participants will also try to carry a mud-covered inflatable dinosaur and see how far they get along a marked track! Keep water for rinsing feet and hands. (2 Volunteers)
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 activites.
Eligibility
- This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Long-Term, Short-Term, and Youth (ages 14-17). Learn more about our types of service here.
- Youth Volunteers: Youth volunteers ages 14-17 are not required to complete a background check. If you are a new youth volunteer contact volunteer.services@metroparks.org to have your background check waived.
- This opportunity is available for OSUE Master Gardener service hours.
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 water bottle, sunblock, and a towel to clean up (if needed).
- Dress: Please wear closed-toe shoes, your volunteer name badge, and if you have one, your green or blue volunteer T-shirt. Reusable volunteer vests will be provided for volunteers on-site.
Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position Description for more information.
