Opportunities From: Five Rivers MetroParks

Don't miss your chance to place in the Mud! Set Up Team Volunteers arrange and put together the various Mud Day activity stations in the Children's Discovery Garden at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark. Stations will be for mud play, games, mud pie making, mud painting, and all things fun with mud!

Impact

Special Event volunteers serve a critical role in ensuring that each special event or large-scale program runs smoothly from set-up to tear-down.  

Tasks Lift and carry bags of soilMix mud using potting soil, topsoil and water to fill mud pools and supply other stationsOrganize supplies at stationsFollow staff's verbal and written instructions to set up on the following stations:Mud Kitchen- set up tables with covers, put out sand, mud, mixing bowls and all other needed equipmentMud Pools- fill each pool with the designated bags of potting soil, peat moss and sand then add water and mix to correct consistencyMud Ball Creatures- assemble natural materials and form mud balls Mud Ball Toss- arrange various sized buckets and mud access for game playDinosaur Hug- New this year!Shower Station-confirm water supply and access as well as hose use and pool basinsMonster Stomp- Previously Mud City, follow provided map to lay tarp and secure with landscape staples. Arrange toy buildings to create city scape as well as lay out flippers and supplies. Create mud for the activity using the recipe.Race Track- New this year, assemble a race track and supplies of toy cars and trucks along with mud access.Mud Mural- Follow directions to hang paper for mural on the side of Skeeter's Shed. Prepare additional paper for replacements during the event. Set out paints, brushes, mixing and water cups on site. Click here for the program & activity map.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual, family, public, long-term, and short term volunteers, ages 14 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 Notes Parking & Meeting Instructions: 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 10 minutes before your shift to allow for parking, checking in, and connecting with the staff lead.  Cancelation:  If you need to cancel a shift at the last minute or are running late, please call staff lead, Haily Hayslip, at 937-631-8131. Environment & Physical Demands: ​​Physical duties include standing, walking, and lifting items of 25 pounds or more to help set up and arrange event materials.  Dress: Please wear closed-toe shoes, clothes you don't mind getting wet and/or muddy, your volunteer name badge, and if you have one, your green or blue volunteer T-shirt. Reusable volunteer vests and nametags will be provided for you at volunteer check in onsite.

Learn more about Special Events 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/these opportunities: 

Small Farm and Food Fest

Special Events Opportunities

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:

Program Support at Wegerzyn Gardens

Mud Day aims to give everyone a chance to play in the mud! Tear Down Team Volunteers will help clean up activities after the Mud Day event concludes. Help us reset the garden after this fun, family-friendly event.

Impact

Special Event volunteers serve a critical role in ensuring that each special event or large-scale program runs smoothly from set-up to tear-down. Tear-down volunteers ensure that the park is back in tip-top shape!

Tasks

Collect and wash off muddy supplies to be put awayWork as a group to empty heavy kiddie pools of mud (ability to lift 25+ pounds)Tear down, clean out, and put away all program activities and check-in area.Take down chairs and tables and return them to storageReturn supplies to the Skeeter's Garden shed or the classroom inside the Wegerzyn Administration building.Ensure that the event area is returned to pre-event conditions

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual, public, long-term, or short term volunteers, ages 14. 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 Notes

Parking & Meeting Instructions: 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 10 minutes before your shift to allow for parking, checking in, and connecting with the staff lead.  Cancelation:  If you need to cancel a shift at the last minute or are running late, please call staff lead, Haily Hayslip at 937-631-8131. Environment & Physical Demands: ​​Physical duties include standing, walking, and lifting 25 pounds or more to help tear down and put away event materials. 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 onsite. 

Learn more about Special Events 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/these opportunities:

 Small Farm and Food Fest