Become a MetroParks Volunteer
Learn new skills, care for the environment and make new friends while supporting your MetroParks
At Five Rivers MetroParks, volunteers don’t just make a difference, they are the difference! MetroParks offers a variety of high-quality volunteer opportunities that engage youth, families, groups and others.. Browse the opportunities below to find ones that meet your needs.
To see all of our current opportunities, head over to our Get Connected platform to sign up.
Long-Term Volunteers
Long-term volunteers provide service to MetroParks at regular intervals, often volunteering for a year or longer and establishing a long-term commitment with MetroParks. These volunteers serve as reliable, ongoing and valuable resources and extend Five Rivers MetroParks’ resources so the agency can provide additional programs and services to our community. All long-term volunteers are required to complete a volunteer onboarding process.
Short-Term Volunteers
Short-term volunteers provide service to MetroParks for a set period of time, often to complete a specific assignment. These individuals volunteer for a variety of reasons, including earning school credit, satisfying a program requirement or completing a service project. Short-term volunteers are required to complete a volunteer onboarding process and, depending on the type of volunteer service being provided, may be subject to a background check.
Public Volunteers
Individuals looking to get outside and give back through a single day of service are needed year-round at Five Rivers MetroParks. These volunteers assist with a variety of opportunities, including MetroParks’ large, annual public volunteer days, Adopt-A-Park and Make A Difference Day, as well as Service Saturdays. Public volunteers can provide service to Five Rivers MetroParks for a long period of time but do not have to commit to a regular, ongoing, long-term assignment.
Youth Volunteers (Ages 14-17)
Five Rivers MetroParks has a variety of volunteer opportunities open to youth ages 14-17. These volunteers may assist with the after-school program at Adventure Central, serve at the MetroParks Ice Rink, train to become a barn aide at the Carriage Hill Riding Center, and assist with gardening and/or parks and conservation-related projects. These volunteers are required to complete a volunteer onboarding process, except for the background check. Opportunities for youth under the age of 14 are listed in the family-friendly opportunities below.
Family Friendly
Five Rivers MetroParks also offers opportunities for families to volunteer together. Volunteers younger than 14 may volunteer at select opportunities and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during their volunteer assignment.
Group Volunteers
Families, service clubs, schools, nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, corporations and religious organizations are all examples of volunteer groups that help Five Rivers MetroParks achieve its mission. Opportunities for groups to make a difference in MetroParks are available year-round.
View group opportunities on Get Connected.
Not seeing an opportunity that fits your team’s need? Request a group volunteer opportunity for your team.
Note: Youth group organizations and families with youth younger than 14 must provide their own adult chaperones to supervise the group and engage in the volunteer service.
Court-Appointed Volunteers
Individuals looking to complete court-ordered service also can find opportunities to serve at Five Rivers MetroParks.
