Opportunities From: Five Rivers MetroParks

Fall brings cooler weather, seasonal activities, and the celebration of the harvest from the gardens. Adventure Central is excited about the return of its Fall Harvest program, and it is the luminaries that create the festive mood of a celebration.  Many hands make light work, and this popular seasonal event takes teamwork and timing to light all of the luminaries. Volunteers are needed to assist staff with setting out hundreds of milk jug luminaries throughout the grounds in preparation for the Fall Harvest program.  

Impact:

Volunteers will build trusting and positive relationships that strengthen values, build lasting life skills, and encourage an eagerness to explore life’s possibilities.

Tasks: 

Prepare and set out milk jug luminaries, including refilling jugs with sand/dirt as needed.   Assist with any final touches, such as decorating and tidying, before guests arrive.Light milk jug luminaries along the bridge, trail, and path.  Note: Volunteers will use 2 stick lighters and carry 5-10 extra votive candles with them as backup (provided). Volunteers may help guide people to the trail. 

Eligibility: This opportunity is open to Short-term, Long-term, and Youth volunteers. Learn more about our types of service here. 

This opportunity is for ages 14 and older. Volunteers ages 14-17 must first be approved by a Volunteer Coordinator to respond to this opportunity. Contact volunteer.services@metroparks.org to request approval.

Additional Notes:

Environment and Physical Demands: This is an outdoor activity, and volunteers should expect to do a lot of walking as well as carrying and placing milk jugs. Please be aware of outdoor exposure risks (i.e. sun, poison ivy, ticks, etc.). Volunteers should be aware of seasonal allergies (i.e., grass, pollen, bees, etc.), and can expect to participate in bending, kneeling, reaching, walking, and lifting objects of 10lbs or more, etc. 

Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Wesleyan MetroPark.  Volunteers should park and meet staff inside Adventure Central, located at 2222 N James H McGee Blvd Dayton, OH 45417.

Cancelation:  If you need to cancel a shift last minute or are running late, please contact the staff lead,  Lois Woods, 937-278-2601.

Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear their volunteer t-shirt and name badge, and bring a water bottle.

Visit the Adventure Central Training Resources page in our Training Library to learn more about Adventure Central and to volunteer for other opportunities. 

Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position Description for more information on programming volunteer opportunities with us.

Share some "scary" creatures with participants of all ages at this year's Fall Family Adventure! Conservation Leader volunteers are needed to help participants learn more about these amazing creatures and perhaps realize they are not so scary after all.

Impact

Volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, and safety into our programs for all interested in learning. Youth and family volunteers build leadership skills, learn how to mentor others, serve as a naturalist for their peers, and as a family play an important role in helping protect and promote our natural world!

Tasks Assist with station setup. Assist the staff lead during the program to create a better learning environment for this interactive program. Share practical experience and information as prompted. Help distribute program materials and supplies as needed. Engage shy participants and assist in keeping families excited.  Showcase various supplies or specimens.Eligibility

This is a Long-Term Volunteer Opportunity open to Conservation Leaders only. Learn more about our types of service here.  

Additional Notes  Parking & Meeting Instructions: Parking is available at the event. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes before your shift to allow for parking, checking in at the front of the event, and connecting with staff.  Environment & Physical Demands: ​​Light physical duties include standing, walking, and light lifting to help set up and tear down booth materials. Dress: Please wear 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 for more information on Programming volunteer opportunities with us.

Cox Arboretum MetroPark is a special place for visitors to approach, enter, and connect with nature. Come look at, discover, and rest in the serenity and majesty of trees and shrubs thoughtfully arranged to capture the imagination. Your participation in a Make a Difference Day volunteer service project allows MetroParks to continue its mission to protect the region's natural heritage and provide outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature.  

Impact

Gardening volunteers support our horticulture and education staff in caring for a variety of gardens throughout our parks. These gardens not only provide beautiful spaces for Miami Valley residents to get outside, explore, and connect to nature, but many also provide fresh local produce to those in need in our community. 

Tasks  

Under the supervision of the assigned staff, volunteers will support and assist with the following:

mulching the beds around Cox Arboretum MetroPark. Eligibility This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Long-Term, Short-Term, Public Service, Youth, Family, and/or Groups. Learn more about our types of service here.Family Volunteers: This opportunity is family-friendly. Families with youth volunteers under the age of 14 are welcome to volunteer. The family must include one parent or guardian per 3 children who engage in service and assume supervisory responsibility for the children during volunteer service. 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 Notes Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Cox Arboretum MetroPark. Volunteers should park in the main lot in front of the visitor center at 6733 N Springboro Pike. Follow the paved path to the left of the visitor center, leading you around to the front of the Resource Center/Library. Look for the 'Volunteer Event' signage. Cancellation: If you need to cancel a shift last minute or are running late, please call project staff lead, Jacob Cradic at 937-245-0219. Environment & Physical Demands: ​​This project 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 can expect to participate in bending, kneeling, twisting, reaching, walking on potentially uneven terrain, and lifting. Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, and have their favorite work gloves, water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray.  Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Gardening Volunteer Position Description for more detailed information. 

Just a few miles north of RiverScape, where the Stillwater River flows into the Great Miami, is an urban oasis with a long Dayton history: Island MetroPark. Your participation in an Make a Difference Day volunteer service project allows MetroParks to continue its mission to protect the region's natural heritage and provide outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature.  

Impact

Five Rivers MetroParks provides clean, safe parks and conservation areas for the public to enjoy year-round. Our Park Maintenance volunteers help to manage and sustain 18 beautiful parks, 11 conservation areas, and 160 miles of hike, bike, mountain bike, and horseback-riding trails for park visitors to safely enjoy.

Tasks  

Under the supervision of the assigned staff, volunteers will support and assist with the following:

Litter pick-up around the park and shelters using pickers and buckets. Loading small branches and limbs into the back of a truck to be hauled away. EligibilityThis opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Long-Term, Short-Term, Public Service, Youth (ages 14-17 - See specific age requirements below), Family, and/or Groups.  Learn more about our types of service here.
Family Volunteers: This opportunity is family-friendly. Families with youth volunteers under the age of 14 are welcome to volunteer. The family must include one parent or guardian per 3 children who engage in service and assume supervisory responsibility for the children during volunteer service.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 Notes Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Island MetroPark. Volunteers should park at 101 E. Helena St. Dayton, Ohio 45404, and meet staff near the map kiosk. Look for the 'Volunteer Event' signage. Cancelation: If you need to cancel a shift at the last minute or are running late, please call project staff lead Ramon Watson at (513)435-1525. Environment & Physical Demands: ​​This project 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.). Volunteers can expect to participate in bending, kneeling, twisting, reaching, walking on potentially uneven or muddy terrain, and lifting/dragging objects 10 lbs or more.  Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes, and have their favorite work gloves, water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray.  Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Park Maintenance Volunteer Position Description for more detailed information. 

Enjoy the best wilderness experience in the region. Part of the Twin Valley Conservation Corridor, Twin Creek MetroPark offers mature forests within the breathtaking ravines — an ideal spot for hiking, backpacking, and camping. Get the wild natural beauty of a National Park, just 20 minutes south of Dayton. Your participation in a Make a Difference Day volunteer service project allows MetroParks to continue its mission to protect the region's natural heritage and provide outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature.

Impact

Five Rivers MetroParks provides clean, safe parks and conservation areas for the public to enjoy year-round. Our Park Maintenance volunteers help to manage and sustain 18 beautiful parks, 11 conservation areas, and 160 miles of hike, bike, mountain bike, and horseback-riding trails for park visitors to safely enjoy.

Tasks

Under the supervision of the assigned staff, volunteers will support and assist with the following:

Picking up litter along Morningside Road, Lake George, and the trailhead.Eligibility
This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Long-Term, Short-Term, Public Service, Youth, and/or Groups. Learn more about our types of service here. 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.  Family Volunteers: This opportunity is family-friendly. Families with youth volunteers under the age of 14 are welcome to volunteer. The family must include one parent or guardian per 3 children who engage in service and assume supervisory responsibility for the children during volunteer service.Additional NotesParking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Twin Creek MetroPark. Volunteers should park at Twin Creek MetroPark, Camp Hook, located at 8539 Morningstar Rd., Franklin, OH 45005. Park on the left side of the parking lot. Look for volunteer signage and the MetroParks truck. Cancellation: If you need to cancel a shift at the last minute or are running late, please call the Volunteer Coordinator, Allie Zimmerman, at (937) 274-3176. Environment & Physical Demands: This project 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 can expect to participate in walking, bending, kneeling, pulling, and reaching.  Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear long pants, and closed-toe shoes, and have their favorite work gloves, water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray.  Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Park Maintenance Volunteer Position Description for more detailed information.