Adult Education
Play an important role in developing and delivering innovative educational programs and entertainment events to the Dayton public. Responsibilities range from preparing class materials to assisting with major events such as the Miami Valley Gardening Conference.
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All Year
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Weekend and weekday opportunities are available.
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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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City Beets Youth Gardening Program
Volunteers will prepare the garden beds and work with young people in an innovative, new program that will teach youth to grow and harvest vegetables, prepare healthy dishes and sell their goods at the National City 2nd Street Market in downtown Dayton.
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Spring-Fall
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Thursdays and Fridays, 9am-12:30pm; Saturday Market days 10am-1pm; 3 Tuesday field trips to local farm, community garden, and community kitchen
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Basic garden skills encouraged. Must like working with children.
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New volunteers are always welcome! For more information, contact our volunteer coordinator at (937) 277-6545.
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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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Council Committees
Volunteers serve on one of six councils: Fundraising, Adult Education, Horticulture and Gardens, Youth Education, Land Stewardship, and Membership Development.
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All Year
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Council members are appointed to one-year terms and participate in monthly meetings and special tasks.
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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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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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Garden Education Mentors (GEMs)
Fun-loving and enthusiastic nature lovers are needed to teach youth about nature and gardening at activity stations located throughout the Children’s Discovery Garden. GEM volunteers welcome children and their families to the garden, encourage them to explore it and exercise their imaginations.
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Spring-Fall
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Dates and times for training is flexible, however volunteers must be available during weekday mornings to lead tours.
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No gardening experience necessary, training included.
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Volunteers must commit to supporting children’s tours on a regular basis.
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New volunteers are always welcome! For more information, contact our volunteer coordinator at (937) 277-6545.
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Gardening
Assist with planting, pruning, mulching and weeding in the various flower beds and walkways throughout Wegerzyn. Learn the most effective techniques from talented horticulture staff. Volunteers also assist in maintaining trails and grounds, setting up and tearing down for events, edging, mulching and tilling.
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Spring-Fall
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Shifts include weekday mornings, evenings and Saturday mornings.
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Volunteers will receive an in-depth orientation.
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New volunteers are always welcome! For more information, contact our volunteer coordinator at (937) 277-6545.
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Grow With Your Neighbors (GYWN)
Assist at various community garden sites located on the north side of Wegerzyn and throughout the greater Dayton area. Help prepare, plant, tend and harvest vegetables. These gardens beautify the city neighborhoods and offer the residents an opportunity to learn the joys and benefits of home gardening.
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Spring-Fall
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Flexible.
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Basic garden skills encouraged.
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Volunteers must commit to supporting community gardens on a regular basis.
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New volunteers are always welcome! For more information, contact our volunteer coordinator at (937) 277-6545.
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Honeysuckle Removal
Volunteers are needed to remove invasive, non-native Amur honeysuckle from Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark. Removal of these shrubs provides a better opportunity for native flowers and shrubs to thrive along the shores of the Stillwater River.
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Spring-Fall
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Honeysuckle removal occurs (weather-permitting) on the second Saturday of every month, from 10 a.m.-noon.
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This work requires significant upper-body strength and mobility.
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New volunteers are always welcome! For more information, contact our volunteer coordinator at (937) 277-6545.
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Land Stewardship
Volunteers are focused on earth-friendly activities and events. They remove invasive growth to give a better opportunity for native flowers and shrubs to grow. They also help with environmentally focused events.
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All Year
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Flexible
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No experience necessary.
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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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Office Work
Volunteers provide much-appreciated assistance with office tasks such as answering telephones, assisting visitors and mailings.
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All Year
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Shifts are available Monday- Friday and occasionally on 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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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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Wegerzyn Events
Provide valuable assistance at a series of lively and interesting events throughout the year, including the MayFair Plant Sale, Scarecrow Convention and Gourd Festival. Help to greet visitors, provide informative materials and assist with other event activities.
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All Year
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Times and dates depend on programs; both weekday and weekend opportunities exist.
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No experience necessary.
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New volunteers are always welcome! For more information, contact our volunteer coordinator at (937) 277-6545.
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