The success of many of our recreation and environmental programs depends on the volunteer efforts of the members of our community. If you're looking for a way to make a difference, meet new people or expand a hobby, there are many different ways you can participate to match your skills or areas of interest.

How to Volunteer

View the volunteer opportunity descriptions to see what suits you best. Maybe you have an interest in helping others, want to learn more about the community or meet other friendly, helpful people. We welcome:

• Students (volunteer hours may apply to service learning project hours for high school or college credit or complete an internship)
• Adults/Seniors
• Students
• Groups/Corporations
• Non-profit Organizations and Agencies

To volunteer, print and complete the Volunteer Application or Golf Volunteer Application and return it to:

Oakland County Parks
Volunteer Coordinator
2800 Watkins Lake Road
Waterford, MI 48328

Once received, we will contact you to discuss the potential of a volunteer placement. If an appropriate placement can not be arranged at that time, we will keep your application on file up to one year. As opportunities become available, we will notify you.

To speak to a volunteer coordinator, call 248-975-9717 or email boydr@oakgov.com. Current Volunteers: Monthly Volunteer Time Sheet. (Please upgrade to latest version of Acrobat Reader to utilize this form.)

Volunteers Needed for These Events

September 10-12
Arts and Apples Festival
Downtown Rochester
We are looking for 2-3 volunteers each day of this fun festival to volunteer for one 2-3 hour shift at the information booth. Please contact Nancy Thompson at 248.858.1892 if you are interested or would like more information.

Sept. 11
Waterford Oaks Bow Wow Dog Swim
Waterford Oaks Waterpark
1702 Scott Lake Rd Waterford 48328
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Four volunteers are needed to help with setup, registration, giveaway area and information booth.
Details and registration: Laurie Stasiak at stasiakl@oakgov.com or 248-858-4929.

Sept. 12
Red Oaks Bow Wow Dog Swim
Red Oaks Waterpark
1455 E 13 Mile Rd Madison Heights 48071
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Four volunteers are needed to help with setup, registration, giveaway area and information booth.
Details and registration: Laurie Stasiak at stasiakl@oakgov.com  or 248-858-4929.

Sept. 18
Invasive Plant Species Removal at Rose Oaks County Park
1132 Fish Lake Rd Holly 48442
9 a.m. – Noon
Invasive plant removal at the park. Work gloves and snacks will be provided.
Details and registration: Rachel Boyd at boydr@oakgov.com or 248-975-9717.

Sept. 25
Volunteer Appreciation Bus Tour
Waterford Oaks Administration Complex
2800 Watkins Lake Rd. Waterford 48328
10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
All current Oakland County Parks volunteers are welcome to sign up for a free volunteer bus tour to visit some of the Oakland County Parks!  Trip includes geocaching, a guided hike and free lunch!
Details and registration: Rachel Boyd at boydr@oakgov.com or 248-975-9717.

September 26
Nature Connections “No Child Left Inside” Summit
Kensington Metro Park
1-4 p.m.
Need 4 volunteers to assist at the registration table. This is a fun event designed to get kids outdoors and recreating. There will be many different activities for families to participate in. Please contact Derenda Howard if you are interested in volunteering at howardd@oakgov.com or 248-858-1486.

Oct. 9
Tailgating Party at the Dog Parks
Red Oaks, Lyon Oaks and Orion Oaks Dog Parks
8 a.m. –  noon
Two volunteers are needed at each dog park, to help with setup, giveaway area and information booth.
Details and information: Laurie Stasiak at stasiakl@oakgov.com  or 248-858-4929.

Oct. 16
Howl-O–Ween for the Dogs
Lyon Oaks Dog Park
52251 Pontiac Train Wixom 48393
10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Four volunteers needed to help with setup, registration, giveaway area and information booth.
Details and registration: Laurie Stasiak at stasiakl@oakgov.com  or 248-858-4929.

Volunteer Opportunities throughout the parks system:

Adaptive Recreation
Assist in hosting special, sport and social events for individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities.  Activities include special events/socials and teaching and adapting sports skills for individuals with disabilities.

Annual clean up days
Help beautify the parks by collecting debris, pulling invasive species or other cleaning/maintenance tasks.
Administrative Assistance
Available at most park locations. Duties vary at each site, but may include preparation of craft materials and items for special events, assistance with mailings, and photography.

Bicycle Motocross (BMX)
Track maintenance begins in April. Assist in the weekly operation of BMX by providing technical assistance at practices and races. Duties include bike inspection, registration, scoring, staging, corner marshalling, and concessions.

NEW! Campground Hosts
Campground hosts assist campers by answering questions, explaining the rules in a pleasant and helpful manner, providing directions and assisting with check-in.  Volunteers may also help with the campground recreation program, maintenance of flower beds and restroom monitoring.

Campground Recreation 
Memorial Day to Labor Day
Assist with activities for campers at Addison and Groveland Oaks. Activities include arts and crafts, DJ dances, face painting, games, etc. Theme weekends include carnival, comedy fun day, July 4th festivities, blues bash and boo bash. Also volunteer to help set up, implement and clean up one-day special events. 
Dog Park (Lyon Oaks, Orion Oaks & Red Oaks)
Assist with one-day special events and annual clean-up days at three dog parks. During busy times, answer visitors’ general questions, distribute park materials, and report concerns or comments to park management.

Ellis Barn
Members of the 4-H Gardeners Restore Our World club (GROW) along with Michigan State Extension Service Master Gardeners, have taken on the project of establishing an 1800s Heritage Garden around the Ellis Barn. Assist with tours, educational programs and manning the antiques table during events.

Golf Courses
Starters, rangers, cart attendants and pro shop/phones assist at five golf courses.

NEW! Golf Programs
Assist with tournaments, leagues and special events.

Junior Counselor Program
Under the direction of our camp staff, youth 14-17 years old develop leadership skills while working at the Oakland County Parks summer day camps.

Natural Resources Stewardship Program
Assist in conducting wildlife surveys and caring for park and natural areas, including monitoring bluebird, wood duck and bat boxes; invasive plant control and water quality surveys, native seed collection and more.

Nature Center
Join naturalists at the Wint nature center to assist with interpretive family programs, seasonal special events, captive animal care, sensory and water garden care and exhibit preparation.

Nordic Ski Patrol
Provide the eyes and ears for the park on the trails during the ski season and ensure skiers safety. Must be able to cross-country ski and have outdoor emergency care course along with CPR. Available at Independence Oaks.

Oakland Owls
Be the eyes and ears at various parks and report concerns or comments to park management. May also assist parks staff with general clean-up and enhancement programs.

Senior Recreation
Assist with athletic programs and seasonal park tours.

Special Events
Assist with one-day events, including mountain bike races, fishing events, Hidden Forest trail run, Halloween events, waterpark special events and senior days.

Trails
Assist with construction of hiking, biking or equestrian trails; trail clean-up and maintenance; or with special trail-related events.

NEW! Volunteer Walk Assistant
Co-lead organized hikes in various county parks.

Other Volunteer Opportunities

Water Resources Commissioner's Office
Assist with Adopt-a-Stream (stream monitoring and clean-ups), and cooperative lakes monitoring. Details:  248-858-0958.

Master Gardener Volunteer Program

The Michigan Master Gardener Volunteer Program is a horticulture education and volunteer leader training program offered by Michigan State University Extension in Oakland County.  An interest in plants, a personal commitment to volunteerism and an enthusiasm for sharing knowledge with others are the only prerequisites for application. Applicants attend classes learning basic horticultural principles and environmentally sound gardening practices.  They then provide a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service to their community.
Oakland County offers a daytime session in the fall (August-November) or an evening session in the winter (January-April).  Each session is 13 weeks and held in Waterford. Contact Linda Smith at 248-858-0887 for an application or information.