Volunteer Training

Volunteers are encouraged to take advantage of the following training and enrichment programs. Registration may be required.

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CVNP Volunteer Handbook

The volunteer handbook is designed as a reference and guide to Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP), Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and our Volunteers-in-Parks Program. Click here to download your copy of the CVNP Volunteer Handbook. To see a listing of required training courses by volunteer position, peruse pages 31 - 32 and the Volunteer Safety Training Appendix (see addendums below).

Addendums to the CVNP Volunteer Handbook:
-Updates and Corrections
-Volunteer Safety Training Appendix
-Uniform Policy
-Uniforms Provided (Listed by Volunteer Position)

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CVNP Volunteer Orientation
Thursday, May 2, 7 - 9 p.m.
Thursday, July 18, 7 - 9 p.m.
Saturday, November 2, 10 a.m. - noon

Want to volunteer in your national park? Attend this orientation to learn about the National Park Service, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park and other park partners, and the Volunteers-in-Parks Program. Current volunteers need to attend this class within their first six months of volunteering. This class was previously known as "VIP Fundamentals: An Introduction to National Park Service Volunteerism."

To register, contact the volunteer office at [phone] or email [e-mail]. Registration is open until we reach capacity or three business days before the scheduled course.

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Volunteer Enrichment Series
Second Tuesday of the Month, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Happy Days Lodge (unless otherwise noted)

The Volunteer Enrichment Series is excellent training for all volunteers, providing up-to-date information so that you can excel as park stewards. All are invited on the second Tuesday of every month. Refreshments begin at 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) and lectures are from 7 - 8 p.m., unless otherwise noted. You may bring a guest. There is no pre-registration for this series. Happy Days Lodge is located at 500 West Streetsboro Road (SR 303), 1 mile west of SR 8, Peninsula 44264.

Topics and Speakers:

Discovering Ohio's Ancient Past at Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
Tuesday, April 9
-Park Ranger Melinda Repko, Hopewell Culture National Historical Park

Minority Participation in Outdoor Recreation: Understanding Current Trends
Tuesday, May 14
-Professor Andrew Lepp, Kent State University-Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
Note: Join us earlier at 6 p.m. for refreshments and CVNP's quarterly volunteer award presentation. The lecture will begin at 7 p.m.

Farm Field Trip
Tuesday, June 11
-Countryside Conservancy Executive Director Darwin Kelsey, Landscape Architect Darlene Kelbach, and Countryside Conservancy Farmers Alan Halco
Program Location: Please meet at Spring Hill Farm, located at 9570 Riverview Road, Brecksville 44141.

Engaging the Community through the Rivers
Tuesday, July 9
-Trails & Conservation Assistance Program, Outdoor Recreation Planner Andrea Irland

Next Stop 2016
Tuesday, August 13
-Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad President and Chief Executive Office Craig Tallman
Note: Join us earlier at 6 p.m. for refreshments and CVNP's quarterly volunteer awards presentation. The lecture will begin at 7 p.m.

An Evening at the Beaver Marsh
Tuesday, September 10
-Park Ranger Paul Motts
Program Location: Please meet at Ira Trailhead, located at 3801 Riverview Road, Peninsula 44264.

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Training in Safety

First Responder
Saturday, June 1, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Saturday, November 10, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
During First Responder, participants will learn Citizen CPR (hands-only); First Aid; and protecting yourself from bloodborne pathogens.

CPR/AED/First Aid
Sunday, June 2, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturday, November 9, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
During CPR/AED/First Aid, participants will learn Full CPR for children, adults, and infants; AED; First Aid; and protecting yourself from bloodborne pathogens.

To register, contact the volunteer office at [phone] or email [e-mail]. Registration is open until we reach capacity or three business days before the scheduled course. If registration is closed for your preferred date, please email us to be placed on the waiting list.

Any CVNP volunteer not required to attend a class as part of their position is invited to attend, but will be placed on a waiting list to ensure that those required to attend have first priority. Find the updated safety requirements by volunteer position in the Volunteer Safety Training Appendix.

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Training in Interpretation

Foundations of Interpretation
This class can be taken online for free. Please scroll to "Online Training" for more information.
This introductory course answers four fundamental questions about interpretation: What is interpretation? Why do we do interpretation? What skills do interpreters need? How do you do interpretation? Designed to provide a basic understanding of the theory and practice of interpretation, the course is ideal for those new to the field, for anyone interested in a refresher on interpretation concepts, and for those volunteers providing programs, staffing visitor centers, or in some way communicating to visitors the stories of the park.

Informal Interpretation
Informal visitor contacts are key to providing enjoyable visitor experiences. They include the one-on-one contacts that provide the most personalized service in a park and are critical to ensuring enjoyable visitor experiences. Informal interpretation requires interpreters to continually assess visitor needs and demonstrate effective visitor service by providing basic or in-depth information and/or interpretation to meet those needs. This course should be taken after Foundations of Interpretation.

To register, contact the volunteer office at [phone] or email [e-mail]. Registration is open until we reach capacity or three business days before the scheduled course.

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Online Training

Free online training courses are available through the Eppley Institute. Click on the course names below for more information:

• Foundations of Interpretations
• The History of the National Park Service
• The National Park Service and the Federal Government
• The Organization of the National Park Service

If you take an online course, please send your certificate of completion to the volunteer office at [e-mail] or fax it to 330-657-2381.

*To receive the discount code for classes that have a fee, contact Park Ranger Josh Bates at 330-657-2350 or e-mail us. This is an option if your volunteer position requires training in interpretation and you are not available to take the class when it is offered in the park.

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Park Ambassador Continuing Education

Park Ambassadors are responsible for providing excellent visitor services at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. To ensure volunteers have the knowledge base, all Park Ambassadors will be required to attend a total of two interpretive programs/trainings per year. And, all Hike Assistants are required to hike four different additional trails per year while not on duty as a Hike Assistant.

Please track these programs and hikes on the Park Ambassador Continuing Education Form. Return the 2013 form at the annual winter Park Ambassador Social or to [e-mail].