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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First Bloom Volunteers
First Bloom volunteers help to prepare and maintain the beautiful planters that grace the sidewalks in downtown Dayton.
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Spring-Fall
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Weekday and weekend opportunities are available.
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No gardening experience necessary, training included.
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New volunteers are always welcome! For more information, contact our volunteer coordinator at (937) 277-6545.
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Recreation Event Support
Volunteer at one of our events that engage people in outdoor recreation and adventure: The Adventure Summit (winter), Bike to Work Day (spring), Paddle in the Park (summer), and the Midwest Outdoor Experience (fall). Dates and more information can be found on the event pages.
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All Year
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2-4 hour shifts
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No experience necessary; training provided
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Volunteers are highly encouraged to attend an event volunteer orientation prior to volunteering. 14 and older
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For more information, contact Carolyn Wamsley by e-mail or call 937-343-5748.
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Garden Maintenance
Assist with planting, watering and garden maintenance at RiverScape and Deeds Point MetroParks! Gardeners will work side by side with horticultural experts in these showcase parks, caring for colorful beds of annuals, and helping to weed, water and change seasonal planters.
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Spring-Fall
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2-3 hour commitment per week is desired. Volunteers work on Monday or Thursday mornings.
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No gardening experience necessary, training included.
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Free Parking is provided.
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New volunteers are always welcome! For more information, contact our volunteer coordinator at (937) 277-6545.
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InvenTour Guides
If you love sharing Dayton’s history of landmark inventions, we have a perfect opportunity for you! As a trained InvenTour Guide, you will lead third-grade classes through the seven invention stations at RiverScape MetroPark.
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April-June
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Selected Tues. & Thurs. mornings
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Staff members and experienced guides will provide training, mentoring, props and a script. You must enjoy working with young people, be reliable, and comfortable speaking before groups.
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Ages 18 & older.
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New volunteers are always welcome! For more information, contact our volunteer coordinator at (937) 277-6545.
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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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RiverScape Office Volunteers
Office volunteers assist staff in Memorial Hall with tasks such as answering telephones, assisting visitors, and mailings.
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All Year
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This work takes place weekdays and occasional Saturdays.
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Volunteers with computer skills can assist with data entry and other computer-based activities.
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New volunteers are always welcome! For more information, contact our volunteer coordinator at (937) 277-6545.
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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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MVP: MetroParks Volunteer Patrol
Volunteer while doing what you love by joining MetroParks Volunteer Patrols (MVPs). Join one of four patrols: Bike, Hike, Mountain Bike, or Horse. MVPs communicate information about trail conditions and foster positive public interactions.
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All year; New volunteer training is once per year in January
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Minimum of 50 hours per year
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Must be proficient in the area you’ll be patrolling (hiking, biking, mountain biking, or horseback riding) and provide your own equipment (bike, helmet, horse, etc.)
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18 and older; Interviews and fingerprinting required; Must attend specified trainings
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For more information, contact Carolyn Wamsley by e-mail or call 937-343-5748.
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Paddlesport Assistant
Get out on the water and learn how to help others paddle safely. Training is provided to help volunteers get comfortable guiding others as an assistant with the paddling programs we offer throughout the summer and fall.
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Summer - Fall; New volunteer training offered once per year in May
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At least two programs following training
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Some paddling experience preferred; training and equipment provided
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18 and older; Interview and fingerprinting required
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For more information, contact Carolyn Wamsley by e-mail or call 937-343-5748.
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