Volunteering at a State Park

Recently we attended the School Program Volunteer Orientation at Paris Mountain State Park.  We have been doing this about ten years now and have really enjoyed it. This orientation is held twice a year and volunteers help with the school groups that come to the park. Teachers of second and fifth graders can sign up for the science program and the sign up usually fills up within the first few days it opens for teachers to register. Volunteers can either choose to help with the creek study or the lake hike and sign up for the day(s) they are available. After orientation, Ranger Cathy asks that you observe before you do it on your own so that you can feel comfortable helping out. You can observe more than once if you need to in order to feel more comfortable. It is a worthwhile program to help with and if you are in the area, you might consider checking into it. If you don’t live in the area and want to volunteer, check with the state park in your area to see if there is anything like this.

Original photo by Pat Hensley