Volunteer

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Volunteers In Parks (VIP)

Become part of the VIP program by assisting park staff with interpretive, biological, archeology, or maintenance projects. Every year volunteers donate over 2,000 hours to Hopewell Culture! The work done by volunteers at Hopewell Culture is invaluable to the park, the community and visitors. Individuals or groups can volunteer at any time of the year. Contact the park's volunteer coordinator by phone at 740-774-1126 or send an email request for more information.

The VIP program began in 1969 when congress passed the Volunteers in the Parks Act of 1969. Click here to be taken to the NPS page for Director's Order #7: Volunteers in Parks, which has more information about volunteering in the national parks.

Current Volunteer Opportunities

 

VIP's Marilyn & Herb Hutson

Interpretation

The division of Interpretation is always in need of volunteers that can committ to a minimal schedule and help with interpretive duties at the visitor center. If you've ever thought of doing some sort of public speaking, interacting with people in a high-traffic environment or possibly leading a group tour, then we have a place for you here. If you're interested and would like to discuss the possibility of becoming a volunteer in the interpretation division, please call 740-774-1126 and ask for VIP coordinator, Melinda Repko or feel free to send her an email.

Online Interpretation Training
Check out the online class Foundations of Interpretation on eppley.org. In addition to helping you determine if interpretation is for you, this course will explain what exactly interpretation is and why we do it, what skills are needed and how to prepare some interpretive programs. The cost is free, but you need to sign up and become a registered user with the site in order to access the course. Once you complete the course, you will receive a printable certificate of completion. Additional online courses in interpretation are available for free and for a fee.

 

VIP's working with HOCU staff Biologist, Dafna Reiner

Natural Resources

Bluebird Volunteers
Hopewell Culture NHP is seeking one or two dedicated volunteers to work on a bluebird monitoring project. The park has approximately 50 bluebird boxes scattered in four of the park's five units, all within Ross County. The work typically starts in mid-March with the cleaning of the boxes, and installing new boxes to replace ones that are damaged beyond repair. Throughout the nesting season the boxes are visited once a week and monitored for activity. The volunteer will record data such as the presence/absence of a nest, number of eggs laid, number of hatchlings etc. Some walking over mostly level ground will be necessary, as well as driving to/from the sites. A volunteer may work anywhere between 1-6 hours per week, depending on how many nest boxes he/she are willing to maintain. Volunteer needs to be able to work a full season (mid-March to late summer). No skills are necessary, the park will provide all the training and materials needed.

Please contact park biologist Dafna Reiner by phone at 740-774-1126 or email, concerning this volunteer opportunity.

Garlic Mustard Volunteers
Every spring a non-native and invasive plant called garlic mustard starts growing at Hopewell Culture NHP. Every spring park employees and volunteers head for the woods to remove this harmful plant by hand pulling. We need all the help we can get! There are many volunteer opportunities to work on this project and a large time commitment is not necessary. The work involves light physical activity such as bending, pulling, and placing the plant in large trash bags for disposal. The work typically starts in mid-March and continues to late-May or early-June. No skills are necessary, the park will provide all the training and materials needed.

Please contact park biologist Dafna Reiner by phone at 740-774-1126 or email, concerning this volunteer opportunity.

 

Maintenance

For current opportunities in the maintenance division, please call the park at 740-774-1126 or send an email inquiring about volunteering in maintenance.

 

Administration

For current volunteering opportunities in administration, please call the park at 740-774-1126 or send an email requesting information about current volunteering opportunities in administration.