Recruiting Volunteers For Rocky Mountain National Park

News Release Date: March 13, 2013

Contact: Kyle Patterson, [phone]

Rocky Mountain National Park is home to one of the most dynamic and hard-working volunteer programs in the National Park Service.  Volunteers augment park staff in day-to-day operations and on special projects.  In 2012, 1,670 volunteers served over 102,000 hours at the park, making it one of the largest volunteer programs in the National Park Service. In 2013, these numbers will likely increase.    

The park is currently recruiting for over twenty individual volunteer opportunities for this summer. Duties range from providing visitor information at Sheep Lakes to working on the road crew, doing bird research, camp hosting or assisting in the visitor center, among other positions. The majority of these opportunities are suitable for those within commuting distance of the park, as most do not come with housing.  Volunteers may serve anywhere from one day per month to five days per week.     

The park also has a wonderful group volunteer program, offering various opportunities to groups ranging in size from 2-20.  These projects vary from working with the trails crew to assisting in the greenhouse.  Organized groups (scouts, school groups, families, etc.) may volunteer for a day or more in the park. Depending on availability, these groups may be eligible for free camping.    

To learn more about the volunteer program and to get involved as a volunteer in the park, join park staff for an informative session hosted by the park's Volunteer Coordinator and Supervisors in the Estes Valley Library's Hondius Room on Wednesday, March 27, at 6:30 p.m. Volunteer opportunities can also be found online.  Go to: www.volunteer.gov keyword search "Rocky Mountain" and agency search "National Park Service." For more information, please call the park's Information Office at 970-586-1206.