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March 16, 2006
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE AT OHIO STATE PARKS
Opportunities include trail clearing, litter cleanups, campground hosting, flower planting
Online Volunteer Application
COLUMBUS, OH - Every year more than 6,000 volunteers of all ages log hundreds of thousands of service hours to help keep Ohio’s 74 state parks beautiful. From planting flowers and clearing trails to picking up litter and greeting campers, Ohio State Parks volunteers are invaluable.
“Volunteers have been making an important contribution to Ohio State Parks since 1982 and in recent years we’ve really seen the program grow,” said Dan West, chief of Ohio State Parks.
Volunteering with Ohio State Parks is easy and can be accomplished by contacting an Ohio State Park office or by visiting ohiostateparks.org on the Internet. Volunteers of all ages, skills and experience levels are welcome and appreciated, West said.
Last year, state park volunteers assisted naturalists with programs, planted flower beds, helped with grounds maintenance, greeted campers and helped organize special events. In some instances, families worked together to maintain hiking and riding trails.
“Volunteering at a state park is an opportunity for family and friends to work together to make tangible improvements at their favorite parks, and to feel a genuine sense of pride in that contribution,” West said.
The Ohio State Parks volunteer program offers these opportunities:
 Individual Volunteer - These volunteers take on a wide variety of tasks by assisting park staff with nature center programs, trail maintenance, litter control, beautification and special events. Children 5 to 12 years of age, who work alongside their parents or guardian, can help as Junior Volunteers. Teenagers, age 13 to 17, can participate as Green Teens and may work individually or with friends.
Campground Host - Individuals who enjoy camping and meeting people are invited to apply to be campground hosts. In exchange for 20 hours of work per week, volunteers receive a complimentary campsite. Duties include greeting campers, helping them at their site, campground beautification, special events, and being a model camper by setting an excellent example for others.
Group Volunteers - An increasing number of civic, school and church groups have found satisfaction by completing service projects at a state park. These groups are welcome to come on a one-time basis or they may prefer to be involved on a long-term basis with the park. The variety of duties is limited only by the imagination and a park’s needs, and can include shoreline cleanups, trail work (hiking, horse and mountain biking), beautification projects, etc.
For more information on volunteer opportunities, contact the Ohio State Park in your area or visit ohiostateparks.org
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