Volunteers are encouraged to take advantage of the following training opportunities. Training is free. Registration may be required. To see a listing of required courses by volunteer position, download the Handbook for Volunteers-in-Parks in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. 

VIP Fundamentals: Becoming Stewards, an Introduction to National Park Service Volunteerism
Thursday, March 22, 7 to 9 p.m.
Saturday, May 5, 10 a.m. to noon
Thursday, July 19, 7 to 9 p.m.
Saturday, September 8, 10 a.m. to noon
Boston Store Visitor Center

This two-hour session provides an orientation to the National Park Service, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and the Volunteers-in-Parks Program. Designed to help volunteers understand and carry out the NPS mission, the class is for new volunteers and recommended for experienced volunteers looking to refresh their knowledge and become reinvigorated in supporting our beloved national park.

To register, contact the volunteer office at (330) 657-2299 or email volunteer@forcvnp.org. Registration is open until we reach capacity or three business days before the scheduled course.

Orientation to Risk Management
Saturday, February 18, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

This one and a half hour course is designed to empower volunteers to be assertive about their safety and the safety of their team, and encourages participation in decision making and risk management. While all are welcome, we strongly encourage volunteers required to take CPR/First Aid training to attend.

To register, contact the volunteer office at (330) 657-2299 or email volunteer@forcvnp.org. Registration is open until we reach capacity or three business days before the scheduled course.

Defensive Driving Training
Saturday, March 3, 9 a.m. to noon

This course provides experienced drivers with practical guidelines. It is a requirement every three years for anyone who drives a government vehicle.

To register, contact the volunteer office at (330) 657-2299 or email volunteer@forcvnp.org. Registration is open until we reach capacity or three business days before the scheduled course.

Training in Interpretation

Foundations of Interpretation
Sunday, February 26, 2012, 2 to 4 p.m. (new time)
Tuesday, March 27, 10 a.m. to noon
Note: The March 18 session is cancelled.

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
Wednesday, April 4, 2012, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 22, 2012, 1 to 3 p.m.

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.

Interpretive Talk
Note: The April 22 and April 29, 2012 are cancelled.

Interpretive Talk is a two-day course on how to give an effective presentation.

To register, contact the volunteer office at (330) 657-2299 or email volunteer@forcvnp.org. Registration is open until we reach capacity or three business days before the scheduled course.

Online Training
Free online training courses are available through the Eppley Institute at www.eppley.org. Free courses include three different Introduction to National Park Service courses, and Foundations of Interpretation. Additional interpretation courses are available for a reduced fee.

To make sure you will be recognized for your course completion, please print the certificate at the end of your training and give a copy to your volunteer supervisor and email a copy to the volunteer office at volunteer@forcvnp.org.

For more information and to receive the discount code, contact Park Ranger Josh Bates at (330) 657-2350 or e-mail us.

Volunteer Enrichment Series
Second Tuesday of the Month, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Happy Days Lodge

All volunteers are invited to the Volunteer Enrichment Series on the second Tuesday of every month at Happy Days Lodge. The purpose is to provide up-to-date information so that volunteers can excel as park stewards. Refreshments begin at 6:30 p.m. Lectures are from 7 - 8 p.m. You may bring a guest.

There is no pre-registration for this series.

Topics and Speakers:

Tuesday, February 14
Reaching Beyond Park Borders
- Park Ranger Brady Bourquin

Tuesday, March 13
State of the Park*
-Superintendent Stan Austin and Conservancy Chief Executive Officer Deb Yandala 

Tuesday, April 10
Land Acquisition at CVNP
-Management Assistant Dennis Hamm

*Note: The topics and speakers for the January 10 and March 13 lectures switched after the printing of the Valley Volunteer. CVNP Volunteer Program Updates was presented on January 10, and State of the Park will be on March 13.

Program Locations

Boston Store Visitor Center is located at 1550 Boston Mills Road, east of Riverview Road, Peninsula 44264

Happy Days Lodge is located at 500 W. Streetsboro Road (SR 303), 1 mile west of SR 8, Peninsula 44264

Hines Hill Conference Center is located at 1403 W. Hines Hills Road, Peninsula 44264