Teen Volunteer Opportunities
From caring for animals to helping with day camps to learning about art and nature, volunteering in the parks will help you gain leadership skills, life skills and job skills. Plus, you might just have fun while you're at it.
Silverwood Teen Arts Council
Description: The Silverwood Teen Arts Council (STAC) is focused on art and nature and takes place at Silverwood Park. Participants are exposed to a variety of artistic mediums, artists, and outdoor skills and also help to plan two teen nights each year in collaboration with professional artists.
Requirements: Open to ages 13–19. STAC runs June to March. Participants commit to 30 hours of service.
Application Process: Applications are open April to June, but may be accepted later into the STAC year.
Contact: Seth Eberle
Baker Outdoor Learning Center
Counselor-in-Training
Description: Teens can continue the fun of summer camp while developing leadership skills. Participants learn how to foster friendships, solve problems and be a role model for kids. Includes training and at least one week of summer camp immersion assisting staff.
Requirements: Open to ages 15–18. Camps take place June through August. Space is limited.
Application Process: Applications are accepted March through May.
Contact: Mary Morris
Eastman Nature Center
Naturalist Youth Leader Program
Description: Experience working as an assistant naturalist, receive hands-on nature education training, learn about different ecosystems and become more comfortable in the outdoors at Eastman Nature Center.
Requirements: Open to ages 12–18. Camps take place June through August.
Application Process: Applications are accepted starting in January. Interviews are held in February.
Contact: Vicky Wachtler
Animal Care Volunteer
Description: Help care for live reptiles and amphibians.
Requirements: Open to all ages; volunteers under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Animal volunteers commit to 1–2 hours weekly for a minimum of six months.
Contact: Brandon Baker
Lowry Nature Center
Day Camps
Description: Assist naturalists with camp at Lowry Nature Center, including helping with craft projects, outdoor nature activities and keeping an eye on campers during hikes.
Requirements: Open to ages 13+. Camps take place June through August.
Application Process: Applications are accepted March to June. Required training for the position is typically held in late May or early June.
Contact: Kirk Mona
Bluebird Monitoring
Description: Open bluebird houses and make notes about the nest, eggs and babies inside.
Requirements: Open to all ages; volunteers under age 16 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Trail monitoring is done every 7–10 days from April 1–August 1. Required training for this position is typically held in March.
Contact: Elise Bushard
Animal Care Volunteer
Description: Help care for live reptiles and amphibians.
Requirements: Open to all ages; volunteers under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Must commit 1–2 hours weekly for at least six months.
Contact: Lauren Kitrell
Native Bees
Description: Assist a naturalist with native bee nest box surveys.
Requirements: Open to all ages; volunteers under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Contact: Laurel Sundberg
Dragonfly Surveys
Description: Learn how to identify and record species, as well as net, handle and photograph/record dragonflies.
Requirements: Open to all ages; volunteers under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Contact: Laurel Sundberg
Mississippi Gateway Regional Park
Animal Care
Description: Help care for live reptiles and amphibians.
Requirements: Open to all ages; volunteers under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Must commit 1–2 hours weekly for at least six months.
Contact: Ashley LeVoir
Program Assistant
Description: Assist naturalists during programs on weekday evenings and weekends.
Requirements: Open to ages 10+. Volunteers under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Contact: Ashley LeVoir
Community Science
Description: Walk the park and collect data on phenology, dragonflies or birds visiting our feeders. Training required.
Requirements: Open to all ages; volunteers under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Schedules and scheduling requirements depend on the project.
Contact: Ashley LeVoir
Stewardship Projects
Description: Help remove invasive plants during stewardship days or other ongoing tasks related to stewarding the natural resources of the park.
Requirements: Open to ages 10+. Volunteers under 16 years old must be accompanied by parent/guardian.
Contact: Ashley LeVoir
Special Projects
Description: We occasionally need help creating program materials, collecting various resources (natural or otherwise) for projects and activities, or need help from volunteers with specific skills like woodworking.
Application Process: Applications accepted year-round.
Contact: Ashley LeVoir
Other Volunteer Opportunities
In addition to ongoing volunteer opportunities, Three Rivers is always looking for short-term volunteers. See additional volunteer options at Three Rivers.
