The success of many of our recreation and evironmental 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 248-858-7596.

Volunteers Needed for These Events

Feb.2, 2-8 p.m. 
Community Garden General Meeting
Join Susana Ditter at this organizational meeting for starting a community garden committee. For more info, contact
Rachel Boyd at 248-975-9717  boydr@oakgov.com 

Feb. 3, 9 a.m.-noon
Education Programs Organization Meeting
This meeting is open to anyone who has an interest in plants and a desire to share your knowledge with others. Participants will be setting curriculum, brainstorming topics and organizing classes. No prior experience is necessary. For more info, contact Rachel Boyd at 248-975-9717  boydr@oakgov.com

Feb. 6, 9 a.m. -?
Construction of Raised Beds for Community Garden
Help put together the structure for the community garden. It is a work day--please bring your work gloves, if you have them. For more info, contact Rachel Boyd at 248-975-9717  boydr@oakgov.com

Volunteer Opportunities throughout the parks system:

Adaptive Recreation

• Assist in hosting events for individuals with disabilities. Knowledge of disabilities helpful, but not necessary.
• Special events/socials for individuals with disabilities.
• Teaching and adapting sports skills for individual with physical disabilities.
• Mighty Oaks Adaptive Sports Team - assist weekly with coaching athletes in preparing for competition.
• Wheelchair Sports - assist weekly recreational wheelchair basketball/hockey program.
• Senior - Master Programs.
• Assist in Bounce Volleyball, Softball, Tennis and Basketball.  Score keeping, drills and clinics weekly depending on season.

Annual clean up days

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.

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 and blues bash. Also volunteer to help at special events (one-day). Help needed implementing, assisting, setting up, and cleaning up.

Counselor in Training
Teens work with the day camps staff.

Dog Park (Lyon Oaks & Orion Oaks)
Assist in one-day special events and annual clean-up days at two dog parks.

Ellis Barn
Contact Kathy Thomas at the Wint Nature Center, 248-625-6473. 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.

Friends of Parks
Assist parks staff in general clean-up and enhancement programs.

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

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 to request an application or information.

Natural Resource 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 and photo documentation of park resources.

Nature Centers
Join naturalists at the Lewis E. Wint or Lyon Oaks nature centers 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.

Senior Recreation
Assist with athletic programs and seasonal park tours.

Special Events
Assist with one-day events, including mountain bike races, fishing events, hot air balloon festival, triathalon, Halloween events, and senior days.

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

Water Resources Commissioner's Office

• Stream Clean-Ups
• Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program
• Adopt-a-Stream (Stream Monitoring)