29 July, 2010
Volunteer Opportunities
General Volunteering Info
Darke County Parks relies on volunteer involvement in all aspects of our operations, from programs to maintenance. Descriptions of volunteer opportunities are listed on this page. After basic training, and the required paperwork, volunteers can set up a customized work schedule. Completed volunteer applications should be mailed to the Nature Center.
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Program Volunteers
Children's Programs Volunteer to assist with the setup, supervision, and cleanup of Parent & Preschooler Adventures, Park P.A.L.S., and Junior Naturalists.

Day Camp Volunteer to assist with the setup, supervision, and cleanup of our day camp programs.

Special Events Volunteer to assist with the setup, organization, publicity, parking and cleanup of large special events at the Parks.

Historical Interpreters to assist in the development and presentation of pioneer Log House programs.
Nature Center Operations
Front Desk Receptionist to answer phones, operate the gift shop, and register program participants during business hours.

Animal Care Assistant to feed live reptiles and amphibians and clean their display tanks.

Custodial Assistant to help with Nature Center cleaning and table and chair setups.
Parks Management
Prairie Burn Crew Member to assist with managed prairie burns in the spring. Special training and equipment is required for this position.

Adopt-A-Park report on trail conditions, report vandalism, and maintain bulletin board at one of our Parks. Click for More Info

Maintenance Assistant to help with maintenance of parks and trails including trail maintenance, invasive plant removal, and trash pickup.
Gardening Volunteers
Native Plant Nursery Committee Member to assist with propagation and sale of native prairie plants.

Gardening Volunteer to assist with maintenance of plantings around park signs and the butterfly/hummingbird gardens at Shawnee and Routzong.
Fundraising Volunteers
Parks' Endowment Committee to assist with the continual growth of an endowment fund for the Park District.
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Stewardship Projects

Service learning projects such as bluebird box monitoring, invasive plant eradication and other stewardship projects are available for organized youth groups such as high school clubs, scout troops, 4-H, and church groups.

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Volunteer In The Spotlight
Kenny Haines
Summer 2010
This quarter's Volunteer in the Spotlight has been with the Park District prior to the Nature Center being built over 10 years ago! Kenny remembers attending meetings with the Ohio Bicentennial committee and helping make plans for the center in the old house, which was located on the hill behind the Nature Center. Kenny is very knowledgable with metals as he retired as a tool maker in 1988. Since then, Kenny has been using his gift of metals in his Tin Smithing business. Many items found in the Log House, such as lanterns and sconces were made and donated by Kenny. Kenny feels that the best part of his volunteering with the Parks is all the great people you meet. Kenny would like to remind everyone that they have a gift, large or small, and the Darke County Park District can utilize your skills. Thank you Kenny!


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