Blacksmith Shop
Blacksmiths show visitors why a small blacksmith shop was important to a farm family in the 1880s.
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All Year
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Varies
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Some metal working skills preferred, but further training is provided.
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Historical clothing required.
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For more information, contact Kevin Kepler at (937) 275-PARK or kevin.kepler@metroparks.org.
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Carriage Hill Country Store
Everyone loves to shop at the Country Store! Costumed volunteers sell penny candy and gifts or learn how to work the loom.
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All Year
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Varies
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Basic math skills required for working behind the counter. Instruction is provided for working the loom.
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For more information, contact Kevin Kepler at (937) 275-PARK or kevin.kepler@metroparks.org.
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Concession Stand
Proceeds from sales at the concession stand are an important part of our programming budget. Volunteers interact with the public while they raise funds to support the living history activities at Carriage Hill.
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All Year
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Varies
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Basic math and some kitchen clean up required.
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For more information, contact Kevin Kepler at (937) 275-PARK or kevin.kepler@metroparks.org.
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Corporate, Group & Scout Volunteers
Organized groups who wish to do some volunteer work for Five Rivers MetroParks are invited to contact us for specific opportunities. Depending on the park, work available is conservation in nature, specifically invasive plant removal, or includes grounds maintenance, land management, greenhouse production and special events.
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All Year
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Half or whole-day projects are available.
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No experience necessary.
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Contact the Volunteer Service Manager at (937) 275-PARK.
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Adopt-a-Park
Individuals, local businesses and service clubs join us for a day of regional cleanup of Five Rivers MetroParks and waterways throughout the county. Visit http://www.metroparks.org/adopt for more information or to register.
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April
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9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
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Volunteers of all ages, from young children to seniors are invited to help us make our parks and river corridors healthier and friendlier place to visit.
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Each volunteer will receive a T-shirt and a free lunch. MetroParks will also be providing gloves, and trash bags.
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Contact the Volunteer Service Manager at (937) 275-PARK or visit http://www.metroparks.org/adopt to register.
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Farmhands
The key to the success of Carriage Hill is a productive historic farm.
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Volunteers are needed on a seasonal basis.
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This position necessitates a major time commitment.
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Farming experience required; training in historic farm practices will be provided.
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We do not allow volunteers just to feed the animals.
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For more information, contact Kevin Kepler at (937) 275-PARK or kevin.kepler@metroparks.org.
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Historic Homemakers
Historic Homemaker volunteers greet visitors and demonstrate cooking and other living history activities in an 1880’s farmhouse.
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All Year
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Homemaker volunteers generally work one weekend afternoon per month, 1-5 p.m.
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A love of history and the desire to learn a variety of domestic activities: ie cooking on a woodstove, knitting etc.
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For more information, contact Kevin Kepler at (937) 275-PARK or kevin.kepler@metroparks.org.
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Interactive Classroom
On weekdays during spring and fall, our site is visited by scores of school children. One popular stop on their field trip is the interactive classroom. Volunteers who enjoy teaching and working with children are needed to watch over the classroom and giving lessons.
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All Year
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Varies
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Volunteers must enjoy teaching and working with children
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Historical clothing required.
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For more information, contact Kevin Kepler at (937) 275-PARK or kevin.kepler@metroparks.org.
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Organic Methods Gardener
The Organic Methods Gardener Course is a training program designed to help meet the horticultural needs of the Miami Valley. Its purpose is to train volunteers and utilize their expertise to teach the public about the nature and culture of plants and their importance to our quality of life. Organic Gardener volunteers provide assistance to MetroParks staff so horticultural and horticulture education activities can be more effectively and efficiently carried out. This course is designed to provide a balanced and practical program in gardening with an emphasis on soil improvement and pest control. Students will be exposed to a variety of environmentally safe concepts in gardening and traditional concepts in horticulture. It is an 18-week in-depth horticulture program that includes quizzes, exams, a project, and 50 hours of volunteer service. For more information, e-mail YvonneDunphe@metroparks.org or call (937) 277-4147 to interview.
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Spring or Fall
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Thursday mornings or evenings, depending on session.
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Upon completion of the course, participants are requested to volunteer 50 hours with Five Rivers MetroParks.
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Fee: $140 will include text and materials.
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Age 18 & older. Potential applicants should contact Kevin Kepler, MetroParks Volunteer Services Manager, at 937-275-PARK to obtain an application and schedule an interview.
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Master Recycler
"Learn the details of reducing, reusing and recycling in this 5-week Master Recycler course sponsored by Five Rivers MetroParks and Montgomery County Solid Waste District. Over
600 tons of trash pass through this facility every day. Classes will be full of information and tips to help you do your part to reduce this number."
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March-April
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Thursday evenings
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"Upon completion of the course, participants are requested to volunteer 25 hours with the Montgomery
County Solid Waste District or Five Rivers MetroParks."
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Fee: $10; covers materials.
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Potential applicants should contact Kevin Kepler, MetroParks Volunteer Services Manager, at 937-275-PARK to obtain an application and schedule an interview.
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Ranger Explorers
TheExplorer program is an opportunity for young adults who are seeking a future in law enforcement. The explorers assist the Ranger Division with parking, public relations and bike patrol. The Explorer Post members hold fund-raisers four times a year to purchase uniforms, training equipment and membership dues.
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The Explorers program is an affiliate of the Boy Scouts of America.
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Explorers are 14-21 years old and they must keep a 3.0 grade point average to maintain their position with the post. After they graduate from the Explorer Police Academy, they are eligible to ride with an officer once a month.
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For more information about the Explorers program with Five Rivers MetroParks, contact explorers@metroparks.org.
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Steam Group
A team of trained volunteers uses our collection of steam engines to perform seasonal farm chores. New volunteers are always welcome.
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All Year
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Group meets once a week on Wednesday to maintain the engine. Other times vary with the farm program schedule
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A strong interest in the mechanical workings of a steam engine. Willingness to be part of a team.
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Historical clothing required.
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For more information, contact Kevin Kepler at (937) 275-PARK or kevin.kepler@metroparks.org.
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Visitor Center Reception Desk
Do you enjoy meeting people and sharing information? Carriage Hill MetroPark is seeking volunteer greeters to assist visitors and answer the phone. The person at the reception desk is the first person most visitors see when they arrive at Carriage Hill Farm.
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All Year
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One weekend shift per month, 1-5 p.m.
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All greeters will receive training.
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For more information, contact Kevin Kepler at (937) 275-PARK or kevin.kepler@metroparks.org.
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Woodshop
The woodshop is a popular stop for children and adults alike. Volunteers staff demonstrate 19th century woodworking techniques and tools.
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All Year
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Volunteers staff the shop on weekends.
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Basic woodworking skills preferred; training is available.
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Historical clothing required.
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For more information, contact Kevin Kepler at (937) 275-PARK or kevin.kepler@metroparks.org.
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Your Best Vegetable Garden
"Whether you are a beginning gardener or an experienced
gardener wanting to get new ideas, check out this course. Classes will be followed with a seventh session offered as a field trip. A different topic will be covered each week that will lead to you growing “your best vegetable garden.” Weekly classes will include a lecture and hands-on activity. Guest speakers will be professional instructors from commercial and horticultural fields with expertise in the following topics: composting & soil preparation, planning, planting, pests, preservation, and projects. "
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March 4-April 8
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Tuesday evenings
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Upon completion of the course, participants are requested to volunteer 25 hours with Five Rivers MetroParks.
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"Fee: $20 will include a manual and
handouts specific to vegetable gardening."
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Potential applicants should contact Kevin Kepler, MetroParks Volunteer Services Manager, at 937-275-PARK to obtain an application and schedule an interview.
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