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
The Silverwood Teen Arts Council (STAC) is focused on the arts and nature and takes place at Silverwood Park. The STAC helps plan two teen nights each year in collaboration with professional artists. Participants are exposed to a variety of artistic mediums, artists and outdoor skills. STAC members commit to 40 hours of volunteering in one year.
Contact: Seth Eberle
Baker Outdoor Learning Center
Counselor-in-Training: 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. Applications are accepted starting in early March. Space is limited. Open to ages 15-18.
Contact: Mary Morris
Eastman Nature Center
Naturalist Youth Leader Program: 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. Applications accepted starting in January. Interviews in February.
Contact: Vicky Wachtler
Animal care volunteer: Help care for live reptiles and amphibians. Animal volunteers commit 1–2 hours weekly for a minimum of six months.
Contact: Brandon Baker
Lowry Nature Center
Day camps: Assist naturalists with camp at Lowry Nature Center, including helping with craft projects, outdoor nature activities and keeping an eye on kids during hikes. Applications due in spring. Required training for the position is typically held in late May or early June.
Bluebird monitoring: Open bluebird houses and make notes about the nest, eggs and babies inside. Trail monitoring is done every 7–10 days from April 1–Aug. 1. Required training for this position is typically held in March.
Animal care volunteer: Help care for live reptiles and amphibians. Must commit 1–2 hours weekly for at least six months.
Native bees: Assist a naturalist with native bee nest box surveys.
Dragonfly surveys: Learn how to identify and record species, as well as net, handle and photograph/record dragonflies.
Contact: Kirk Mona
Mississippi Gateway Regional Park
Day camps: Assist naturalists with day camps for children, including helping with craft projects and nature and recreation activities.
Phenology citizen science: Collect data related to the seasonal changes in the park. You must collect data at least once per month from April–November.
Animal care volunteer: Help care for live reptiles and amphibians at Mississippi Gateway. Animal volunteers commit 1–2 hours weekly for a minimum of six months.
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.
