Volunteer

Volunteers are vital to interpreting, maintaining, and protecting parks in the National Park Service. Whether individuals, scouts, clubs, or corporate organizations, people just like you donate their time and efforts to provide essential services to Russell Cave. Some donate just a few hours on a specific project or at a special event, while others support the park weekly. Whatever your schedule, Russell Cave can use your time and efforts to create a better park for everyone. See below for some of the Volunteer opportunities available. For more information about what opportunities we have, or how to apply, contact the Volunteer Program Manager or call 256-495-2672.

 
A volunteer hands red cellophane to a visitor over a desk.
Passing out special equipment for a night program.

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Volunteer Opportunities:

Special Event Volunteer
Help with education and crowd control during our special events. Almost every month from March to November, the park will host special events for the public. If you would like to help park cars, direct people, and answer questions with minimal time commitment this is for you. Our special events are our busiest time, and we need you to help to make these events special for everyone. For more information about upcoming special events, visit our calendar page.

Front Desk Volunteer
Throughout the week, Russell Cave is visited by people locally, from across the country, and across the world. You would work once or twice a week at the front desk in the Visitor Center in this position. You would be responsible for handing out information, answering questions, and being the face of Russell Cave. Visitation can range from 5-200 people in a day, with summer being our busiest season and weekends the most popular days.
 
A volunteer leads school children on a tour to the cave shelter
A chance to teach the next generation.

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Tour Guide
If research and public speaking are your hobbies, this position is for you. On a day-to-day basis visitors come to learn about Russell Cave and the surrounding areas. General tours to the cave shelter are offered for anyone who is interested. We also will host special topic discussions and tours if it meets certain criteria. If you would like to present daily tours once or twice a week or present a special topic talk monthly, feel free to apply. Some topics of discussion may include but are not limited to: geology, native plants, native animals, birds of the area, archeology, history of Doran’s Cove, etc.

Grounds Upkeep
With a steep 1.2-mile hiking trail, regularly used picnic areas, and a frequented visitor center, we need all the help we can get in maintaining the park grounds. This position could include anything from helping clean bathroom and windows in the visitor center, to cleaning up trash in picnic areas and in the dry creek bed, to clearing trail ways of leaves and fallen branches. This position does require the ability to walk and stand for long periods so be aware of any medical issues that may limit your activity.
 
Several volunteers prepare to present to the public outside
Volunteering is more fun with friends.

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Advertiser
If you live further away from Russell Cave, don’t have the time to come as often as you may like, or just like driving around the local area this job may be just want you need. With many great programs coming up at Russell Cave, we like to advertise with posters and word of mouth in the surrounding areas. For this job, you can pick up advertisements from Russell Cave and post them in local businesses for the community to see what is happening at Russell Cave. The local communities include; Bridgeport, Stevenson, Scottsboro, Huntsville, South Pittsburg, Kimball, and Chattanooga.

Group Opportunities
Are you a looking for a project for your scout troop, corporate office, or other group? Groups are welcome at the park develop group dynamics and teamwork while giving back to the community. If you are interested in learning more or scheduling a project, contact the
Volunteer Progam Manager or call 256-495-2672.
 
Volunteers who donate 250 hours on a cumulative basis are eligible for a free, one-year pass to national parks and federal recreation sites which charge an entrance or user fee. The pass admits the pass holder and passengers at per-vehicle fee areas or admits the pass holder plus three other adults at per-person fee areas (children 15 and under are admitted free). A volunteer is eligible to receive a new pass each time they donate 250 cumulative hours, however the pass is issued only in the volunteer's name. For more information, please visit the America the Beautiful Passes website.

Last updated: August 21, 2021

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

3729 County Road 98
Bridgeport, AL 35740

Phone:

256 495-2672

Contact Us