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A variety of non-native, invasive plant species are present in Montgomery Parks. By their nature, these plants can take over an area quickly and threaten our native plant communities and the wildlife that depends on them.Join one of our Weed Warrior workday events to learn how you can help control non-native, invasive plants and preserve the health of our parks! Instruction and tools will be provided. Workdays are held in parks throughout the county and are led by volunteer Weed Warrior Supervisors and/or park staff.Each volunteer must register separately with their own account.Volunteers 14 and under must be accompanied by a registered, responsible adult. Events are added regularly to the "Schedule" tab; please check back for new events! Please note: if the "Schedule" tab is missing, that means registration is full for all Weed Warrior events. Please check back soon for additional opportunities.** Please note: Court Ordered Volunteer Hours can't be granted through this workday.**** If interested in training to become a Certified Weed Warrior, please visit this page for more information. **
Background check required: No
Minimum age of volunteers: 12
Volunteer Type: Adult, Family, Senior (55+), Youth, Student Service Learning, Group, Scout, Corporate
Job Type: Event (1-7 days)
Click here for details and to apply
We are looking for strong able-bodied volunteers to help us plant approximately 60 trees in the Stewartown Local Park! This is part of a project to fill in some of the gaps of the tree canopy in our smaller parks.Volunteers will dig holes for trees that come in smaller pots, plant the trees, help build wire cages to protect the trees from animal damage, and maybe mulch depending on supplies and timing.Volunteers will be provided with gloves and tools but bring your own if you have them! Wear clothing that can get dirty, and sturdy shoes/boots.SSL Approved.
Minimum age of volunteers: 16
Volunteer Type: Adult, Senior (55+), Student Service Learning, Group, Scout, Corporate
Maydale is having their bi-annual Native Plant Sale on the last Saturday of April!Volunteers are need to help load pre-orderd native plants into our buyer's vehicles, and to help with confirming orders.Must be able to lift up to 15 lbs.!Approved for SSL, forms will be provided at the end of the event.
Minimum age of volunteers: 14
Volunteer Type: Adult, Senior (55+), Youth, Student Service Learning
Black Hill Regional Park has a yearly native plant sale, and we need your help! We need friendly and helpful volunteers to direct our customers to the correct places and to run plants to customer vehicles.Customer service experience is preferred but not required. Our veteran plant sale volunteers will train new volunteers! We have 3-4 hour shifts to choose from on Saturday AND Sunday. Click on the "schedule" tab to see the days and times.Gloves and wagons to move plants will be provided.Approved for SSL, forms will be provided at the end of the event.
Brookside Gardens will be celebrating Earth Month at this special event, geared towards ages 2 to 14. We will be exploring the science and art of sustainability through child-driven projects, plantings, and activities.Volunteers will assist with the event by staffing activity booths, interacting with the public, and managing event logistics. SSL Approved OpportunityVolunteers are needed 9:30 am - 2:30 pm.Click on Job Details to learn more, and then the Schedule tab to sign up if you want to help out at Brookside Gardens.
Volunteer Type: Adult, Family, Senior (55+), Youth, Student Service Learning
Montgomery Parks is offering a program sharing the wonders of kayaking for people who may need adaptions to get them out on the water!We need two types of volunteers:Skilled Kayak Instructors (16 years old+) will help with pulling out the necessary equipment (including kayaks, paddles and life vests) for our guests, assisting with people getting in and out of boats, and one on one paddling support with participants with a strong emphasis on tailoring techniques for the needs of the participant. We are looking for experienced kayakers (1-3 years of teaching/ coaching experience) who have the ability to be on the water and instructing basic skills with people with differing sets of abilities.ACA Certifications are preferred but will consider years of experience.Event Volunteers (14 years +) will help with pulling out the necessary equipment, and event set-up and take-down, and helping with other duties at the event (on land) as necessary.Volunteers will be working outdoors and should dress for the weather, plus wear the appropriated PPE if volunteering on the water.
SSL approved!Please click on the schedule tab to sign up for either position. Check out the duties and requirements tab as well to learn more.More details will be shared after you apply! Questions? Contact Amanda Espinoza at Amanda.Espinoza@montgomeryparks.org.
Volunteer Type: Adult, Senior (55+), Student Service Learning
Come make a splash while helping others learn about their local watershed! Maydale Nature Classroom and Conservation Park is looking for volunteers to come and be part of the Waterfest celebration and fun!Volunteers are needed for arts and crafts activities, games, scavenger hunts, and much much more.Training will be provided.SSL Approved!
Montgomery Park's is hosting our annual All-Anglers Fishing Rodeo this May! Children of all abilities between the ages of 3-15 will be learning to fish at our accessible pond with veteran volunteers to highlight Military Appreciation Month!On this special day, volunteers with fishing experience will help children with physical or developmental disabilities learn how to fish. Volunteers will also help with setting up and breaking down the site, greeting participants and directing them to the various activities. We need fish counters & weigh-in monitors as well!To learn more, click on Duties and Requirements, and then click on Schedule or Calendar to sign-up. If you cannot volunteer for the whole day, you can choose either the early or later shift - whichever is most convenient for you!SSL Approved
Meadowside Nature Center is looking for Volunteer Camp Counselors for the 2024 Summer season. What do Volunteer Camp Counselors do?Volunteer Camp Counselors (VCCs) assist staff in supervising children and leading activities. It's a great way to earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours* while gaining experience working with kids, and it's a lot of fun! For each camp, two volunteers will be selected as lead camp counselors, and two others will be selected to serve as a substitute. Substitutes are on-call in case a camp counselors calls out sick.We are currently recruiting for a Camp Counselor to serve in the Junior Naturalist Camp, and be a substitute for the Nature Magic Camp.Take a look below to see if these camps fit your schedule (more info on how to apply below the descriptions).Camp Counselor Training Wed May 29, 5:30-8:30pmJuly Mon 8 - Fri 12Junior Naturalist CampCamp time: 9am-3:30pmVolunteer shift: 8:30am-4pmCamper ages: 9-11 years oldJul Mon 15 - Fri 19Nature Magic CampCamp time: 9am-3:30pmVolunteer shift: 8:30am-4pmCamper ages: 6-10 years oldHow do I apply?If it's showing, click on Job Details - or just go directly to the tab for Duties and Requirements for a full description of each camp. If you can comply with the duties and requirements, click on the Schedule tab.VCC's are required to apply for two camps - please choose them based on your schedule and interests!Applying to each camp does not mean you are automatically chosen. You will be contacted for an interview.Finally, mark your calendar for training!Volunteers will be required to attend a training. It will be on Wed May 29, 5:30-8:30pmTraining: Wed May 29, 5:30-8:30pmRequired workshop for Camp Counselors*SSL Forms will be signed and emailed to you after your scheduled camp weeks are completedApply Now!
Background check required: Yes
Volunteer Type: Adult, Youth, Student Service Learning
Job Type: Short-term (1-8 weeks)
Brookside Gardens is seeking volunteer Camp Counselors for the Summer of 2024. Volunteers will assist with daily set-up, assist with camp activities, and help supervise campers.Garden Investigators CampJul 29 - Aug 29:00 am - 3:30 pm(Ages 6-8)Climate Action CampAug 5 - 99:00 am - 3:30 pm(Ages 11-14)For more info about the camps, see page 17 in Cultivate's Spring/Summer issue.
Must be available for the full week (every day) for at least one of the camp weeks listed.We will be in touch with you after you fill out your application to discuss the position more, including which week is best for your schedule, plus Camp counselors are required to come to one day of training on either May 31 or June 8 at Green Farm Maintenance Facility in Gaithersburg, from 9am to 3pm.This opportunity is SSL approved
This is a great opportunity for youth and adults looking to volunteer this summer!Camp Counselors for Junior Naturalist Camp will help kids explore the local watershed region through hikes, stream studies, hands-on activities, crafts and more during this week-long camp!We will be hiking along the Billy Goat Trail, learning about wetland ecology, kayaking, fishing, exploring the world of raptors, search for treasure on a geo cache excursion, and more. We are looking for volunteers that are enthusiastic, love being outdoors, physically able to keep up with the kids, and enjoy sharing nature with youth!Volunteers will need to commit to the whole week of the camp and follow current safety guidelines - details shared before mandatory training!SSL approved!
Minimum age of volunteers: 15
Locust Grove Nature Center is looking for volunteer camp counselors that are passionate about sharing their love of the great outdoors!
As a volunteer camp counselor, you'll assist staff in supervising children and leading activities. It's a great way to earn SSL hours while gaining experience working with kids, and it's a lot of fun!
Check out this year's list of camps to see which topic fits your schedule and interests:
Week 1: June 24 - 28Animal Neighbors Preschool Camp (Half-Day)Week 2: July 8 - July 12LOST! Wilderness Survival CampWeek 3: July 15 - 19Bugs & Butterflies Preschool Camp (Half-DayWeek 4: July 22 - 26Junior Naturalist CampWeek 5: July 29 - August 2Wonderful Water Preschool Camp (Half-Day)Week 6: August 5 - 9Creek Explorers CampRegular camps meet for a full day, and volunteer hours are 8:30am to 4pmPreschool camps meet for only a half-day, and volunteer hours are 8:30am to 12:30pm.See Duties and Requirements after clicking Job Details for a complete program description of each camp week.
Apply Now!There are a limited number of positions and they fill quickly. The position closes when full. Apply now to get an early interview date!*SSL Forms will be signed after camp week is completed*
Help Montgomery Park's Pope Farm Nursery produce multiple food crops to assist in the effort to supply and address food insecurities among the county population. The Crop Production Assistant volunteer will support the horticultural staff with the implementation of a crop program at the Nursery. We are looking for volunteers that can work a 2 to 4 hour shift during the week, between the hours of 7am and 3pm, that can help on a regular basis.The Crop Production Aide helps throughout the season. They assist with planning/selecting crops, hand planting seeds as needed, monitoring crops upon emergence, pruning and thinning crop plants as needed, rotation (turning) of larger crops and harvesting. The Crop Production Aide works outdoors using various garden tools, in all sorts of weather conditions.This work can be physically demanding, but it provides volunteers the opportunity to work "behind-the-scenes" of the county parks with a knowledgeable, professional horticultural staff.Once you apply someone will be in touch to discuss the position further and to see if this will be a good match!See Duties and Requirements for more details.
Minimum age of volunteers: 18
Volunteer Type: Adult
Job Type: Seasonal (2-6 months)
Thanks for thinking of Montgomery Parks as a place for your Eagle Scout project! Sometimes we have ideas for potential Eagle projects, but the number of Eagle candidates far outnumbers them. We often require the scout to seek out a suitable project. Choose a park location that is convenient to you and explore the area to see which amenities you can help create or restore. Park staff will work with you to review your project proposal prior to approval. We are looking for scouts that are good communicators, can stick to a schedule and are hardworkers!Follow this link to see how we like to work with scouts: Eagle Scout Guidelines
Volunteer Type: Scout
Job Type: Event (1-7 days), Short-term (1-8 weeks)
The AHFP is a 455 acre park open 7 days a week from sunrise to sunset. It is a beautiful setting of a historic farm, including several outbuildings and a farmhouse. Near the farmhouse are two demonstration gardens that are used to explain how people used smaller gardens to feed themselves and their families, and for pleasure with beautiful flowers.We need your help with watering, weeding, pruning, and other routine care. We are looking for help on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. or Saturday during the growing season, flexible schedule worked out with site manager.Some gardening experience is helpful, but training will be offered. High school graduates are welcome!SSL hours approved.
Volunteer Type: Adult, Senior (55+), Student Service Learning, Group, Scout, Intern
Volunteers are needed to help maintain the beautiful Black Hill Discovery Center Display Gardens. These include: a rain garden/hummingbird garden; a raised bed butterfly garden; a raised bed pollinator garden; a fern garden; a Monarch Waystation garden; a log garden; and garden areas around a small pond. Volunteers work as a group on Tuesday mornings for a couple of hours, beginning May 7th and ending Oct 1. Gardening experience is preferred, but not required. Training will be offered.
Volunteer Type: Adult, Senior (55+)
Montgomery Parks can be a great place for you to do your Girl Scout Silver or Gold Award projects!Although sometimes Park Staff have projects in mind, the number of applicants far outnumbers them. It is often up to the scout to find a suitable project. We suggest you choose a park location that is convenient to you and explore the area to see what amenities you can help create or restore. Park staff will work with you to review your project proposal prior to approval. The scout will then be responsible for good communication with Park Staff, and completing the project in a timely manner.Sign up here and someone will be in touch soon to discuss the project with you!
Are you a group leader looking to do some Team Building, have your group give back to the environment, or just them get out in the parks? We can help you with that! We are always looking from groups like yours to help us with several types of projects in the parks, including Weed Warrioring (removing bad plants so good plants can thrive); Park Cleanups; Nature Center Projects (can including gardening/mulching/restoring play areas/trails/etc.); Gardening; helping New Trees Survive; Spreading Wood Fiber at Plagrounds and many more.Contact our office by applying to this job, emailing parksvolunteers@montgomeryparks.org, or just give us a call at 301-495-2474.We will need to know some basic information to set you up with the right project, including:- Size and ages of group- When and Where would be convenient for your group- Any restrictions (need bathrooms, running water on site)- Group Leader contact information (and anyone who needs to be copied on any correspondence.Thanks - we look forward to working with your group on setting up a great project in the Parks!When applying, choose the GROUP application with the Leader Contact information. Volunteer Group Leaders must be 18 or older, but group ages can range from 5 on up, depending upon the project.
Minimum age of volunteers: 8
Help Montgomery Park's Pope Farm Nursery produce multiple food crops to assist in the effort to supply and address food insecurities among the county population. The Grown@Pope Volunteer Coordinator will support the horticultural staff with the implementation of a crop program at the Nursery, by managing group volunteer projects, and assisting with communication to Crop Production volunteers as well.We are looking for volunteers with gardening experience that can work one to two 4-hour shifts, during work hours Monday through Friday throughout the growing season April-September.The work includes leading garden maintenance and cultivation activities with volunteers by demonstrating and/or teaching sustainable gardening techniques to new volunteers, returning volunteers and assisting as lead volunteer during large group volunteer days and harvest days. The volunteer coordinator will also document volunteer hours, and coordinate a volunteer appreciation luncheon.This work provides volunteers the opportunity to work "behind-the-scenes" of the county parks with a knowledgeable, professional horticultural staff. Please check on Duties and Requirements for more details about this volunteer opportunity!Once you apply someone will be in touch to discuss the position further and to see if this will be a good match!
Job Type: Long-term (6 months+)
Montgomery Park's Grown@Pope program strengthens food security in the county and provides families with fresh produce grown on parkland. Grown@Pope Workdays are for individuals or groups that would like to come in for 1 to 3 days this season to help with daily tasks. Workday dates and times will be arranged with the program manager, after you apply. If you're interested in commiting more time to this program, please consider signing up for the Crop Production Aide position instead!Workdays are scheduled for 2-to-4-hour shift during the week, between the hours of 7am and 3pm (but usually in the morning). Volunteers will assist with planting summer crops and maintaining the garden. They will work alongside staff to harvest, collect, and weigh produce to be donated to food assistance providers across Montgomery County. The work includes: hand planting seeds as needed, monitoring crops upon emergence, pruning and thinning crop plants as needed, rotation (turning) of larger crops and harvesting crops when they are ready to go! Instruction and tools will be provided. For Individuals, the program manager will send you a list of dates and times to choose from. Families are welcome, but children 15 and under must be supervised by their 18 years+ guardian on a one-to-one ratio. You must be 16 or older to volunteer on your own. SSL Approved!For Groups, this is a great opportunity for team building and learning new skills with your friends, co-workers or any other type of group. After applying the program manager will be in touch to discuss all of the details. Be sure to register as a GROUP on the volunteer application, as the group leader.
*All students receiving SSL hours must pre-register*Individual and family volunteers can join a cleanup hosted by Montgomery Parks staff and volunteers! - Children under 14 years old must volunteer with a parent/guardian.- Students must register with their name to receive SSL hours.- All cleanups are pre-approved for SSL hours. Forms are provided at the cleanup.- This opportunity is not eligible for court-ordered service.- To add volunteers to a family group send us an email.Click schedule tab to register for the next cleanup. Please note that when an event fills up, it disappears from the schedule. Cleanups will be added throughout the season, so check back often!For questions contact: volunteercleanups@montgomeryparks.org
Volunteer Type: Adult, Family, Senior (55+), Youth, Student Service Learning, Group
Step back in time to share your passion for history with visitors of all ages. Bring history to life as an Oakley Cabin tour guide. Learn about the lives of Oakley Cabin's African American community following the end of the Civil War and Emancipation. Learn about the Reconstruction Era, how people lived off natural resources, 19th century folk remedies and other living history demonstrations. FREE training provided.Click on Job Details and Duties and Requirements to get more information.
Job Type: Seasonal (2-6 months), Long-term (6 months+)
Scout troops, corporate groups, student groups, and community organizations can schedule a private Park cleanup event. Work with your team to remove trash & litter from our Parks! We ask for a two weeks notice before your cleanup. Group Leader requirements:- Must be 18 years & up- Must communicate all requirements and park policies with group members, and ensure fulfillment- Participants in the cleanup may be of all ages, but those under 14 years old must have a parent/guardian with themIf you and your group can meet these requirements, register here (as a group) and we'll proceed with the next steps:1. Confirm cleanup details (qualified park or trail, date, time, # volunteers)2. Pick up your Cleanup Kit3. Have a fun and safe cleanup!4. Submit your cleanup results and your volunteer sign-in sheet Click here for the complete guidelines to organize your cleanup!If you are interested in offering SSL hours at your cleanup, please contact us for more information.
Silver Spring Intermediate Neighborhood Park is one of our more popular parks! We want to keep it looking good for all of our park vistors with the help of volunteer gardeners.Gardeners will help with the basic maintenance of planted grasses, plants and shrubs on a monthly basis. Tasks will include weeding, raking, planting and maybe some light pruning - but only after training!Volunteers will work in a small group on the first Tuesday of every month, beginning May 7th until October 1st. Hours would be from 9 am until 1pm, and rain dates would be arranged within the group's schedule.Gardening experience is preferred, but not required. Training will provided as needed. Tools will be provided!
Minimum age of volunteers: 21
The Agricultural History Farm Park is a scenic 455-acre park featuring rolling hills, open fields, an apple orchard, and a variety of farm animals which offers a unique perspective on the county''s rich farming heritage. The Magruder-Bussard farmstead is located within Farm Park and past farming practices are interpreted for the public in a historic farmhouse, barn, assorted farm buildings, and portions of the general property. In addition to the farmstead, the Park includes a 39-acre parcel on the western edge of the farm that was once home to a kinship-based African American community called Newmantown. The Farm Park has many visitors, and volunteers who have a love of history will assist staff in helping visitors connect to the history of the Farm Park through special events and programs.This opportunity is for individuals who would assist the Farm Park with its special events and programs, as needed, held throughout the year including the Harvest Festival and Montgomery County''s Heritage Days. Individuals would help with set-up and clean-up; and assist staff with various duties and tasks at special events and/or programs.This is perfect for someone who doesn't want to volunteer on a regular basis, but can pitch in when needed!Training will be provided. SSL approved. Click on Duties and Requirements to learn more, and then Apply to be considered for this opportunity.
