Volunteer Training

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. Download your copy of the CVNP Volunteer Handbook.

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, July 18, 7 - 9 p.m.
Saturday, November 2, 10 a.m. - noon

Want to volunteer in your national park? Attend this classroom-style orientation to learn more about CVNP and the Volunteers-in-Parks Program. Complete within your first six months of volunteering, but it is not required before you get started.

To register, contact the volunteer office at [phone] or email [e-mail].

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VOLUNTEER ENRICHMENT SERIES (Free; No pre-registration)
Second Tuesday of the Month, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Happy Days Lodge (unless otherwise noted)

Get the latest scoop about hot topics from park and community experts! This series will help you excel as a park steward. 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. Happy Days Lodge is located at 500 West Streetsboro Road (SR 303), 1 mile west of SR 8, Peninsula 44264.

Topics and Speakers:

Engaging the Community through the Rivers

Tuesday, July 9
-Trails & Conservation Assistance Program, Outdoor Recreation Planner Andrea Irland
Note: Join us earlier at 6 p.m. for refreshments and a Gathering with Stan Austin.

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 (Free)

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

CPR/AED/First Aid
Saturday, November 9, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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.

All CVNP volunteers are invited to attend. CVNP volunteers required to attend have first priority, everyone else will be placed on a waiting list. Find the updated safety requirements by volunteer position in the Volunteer Safety Training Appendix.

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TRAINING IN INTERPRETATION (Free)

Foundations of Interpretation
This class can be taken online for free. Please scroll to "Online Training" for more information.
Designed to provide a basic understanding of the theory and practice of interpretation, the course is ideal for volunteers who are communicating to visitors the stories of the park.

Informal Interpretation
Informal visitor contacts include the one-on-one contacts that provide the most personalized service in a park and are critical to ensuring enjoyable visitor experiences. 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 Interpretation
  
• 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].