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

February 24, 25 & 26, 2012
Fire and Ice Festival
Downtown Rochester
Fri. 6 - 9 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.  and Sun. 11a.m. - 5 p.m.
Plenty of family fun events are scheduled for Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday in downtown Rochester at Water St. and 3rd St., including: snow shoeing, dog sledding demos, snowman/angel making, ice sculptures and snow sculpting, tube sledding, horse drawn carriage rides, ice skating, and beer taste fest tent and also featuring the big bright light show along with fireworks at 8p. 100 Volunteers are needed throughout the weekend at the tube sledding hill, snow shoeing, ice skating and dog sled area. Great opportunity to volunteer for scouts, family’s or school programs! Shifts are 2-4 hours in length. For more information and to register, please contact Rachel Boyd at boydr@oakgov.com or 248-975-9717.

March 4
Nestbox Monitor Workshop
2-4 p.m.
Wint Nature Center at Independence Oaks County Park

Oakland County Parks and Recreation actively manages nest boxes at several parks for native cavity nesters like the Eastern Bluebird. Volunteers are needed to monitor these boxes. This training will cover the natural history of the native birds using the nest boxes, techniques for monitoring, monitors' code of conduct, record keeping and more. Oakland County Parks was recognized by NestWatch as one of the top 20 reporting sites in 2011 in the country. 
Volunteers must be willing to commit weekly visits to the nest boxes from April - August. This program is open to anyone interested in learning about nest box monitoring. Volunteer monitors are especially needed at Lyon Oaks County Park in Wixom.
Details and registration: Kathleen Dougherty, 248-858-0704 or doughertyk@oakgov.com.

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.

New! Adopt-a-Natural Area
Assist natural resources staff by adopting a natural area at your favorite park and participating in seasonal stewardship activities.

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.

New! Arts and Crafts
Assist our planning department with creating innovative display boards for the parks system, using various media.

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.

New! Special Projects
Assist with various small park improvement and maintenance projects.

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.