Opportunities From: Maryland Park Service

If you love to garden, or do not have your own garden to cultivate, join us for this Earth-friendly project. The native garden next to the nature center was created by Caroline County school students. The garden helps maintain the natural plant habitat of the park as well as teach us about invasive species. By yourself, with a friend or a group, spend some time between April and September weeding, pruning, watering, planting, mulching and expanding the garden. It is a great way to get in touch with the park’s beauty and enjoy the outdoors with family and friends.

Like working with your hands and fixing things? If so our maintenance team could always use an extra set of hands to help! Tasks could include carpentry, electrical, plumbing, landscaping, routed sign creation, and more...  

Become a Volunteer Ranger and help protect Maryland's natural resources! The Volunteer Ranger Program is for people ages 18 and above who want to assist the Department's regular work force in state parks with operations, programs and public service. Volunteers are trained and provided with uniforms for their jobs once they have completed 40 hours of volunteer service at a state park. Orientation training helps rangers become acclimated to the state park service. Additional training opportunities, that may include CPR, first aid, search and rescue, and trail stewardship, are offered on a regional basis. As ambassadors of the state parks, Volunteer Rangers serve a vital role to the public. Thousands of visitors to Maryland's state parks look to Volunteer Rangers for guidance and help.

Enjoy meeting your fellow campers? Tuckahoe’s camp hosts receive a free campsite in exchange for working for 20 hours per week. The work to be done is generally campground related: welcoming new campers, keeping the campsites clean, keeping the campground in good condition, keeping bathhouses clean and in working order, answering questions asked by campers, and letting the campers know what is happening in the park/area over the period of the campers stay. Camp Hosts are asked to make a commitment of 1-month stay.

Like to get your hands dirty? Want to look back at the end of the day with a feeling of accomplishment? Volunteer to do trail work and/or maintenance in our park. This may consist of clearing trails after storms (or during the winter off-season), collecting trash and debris, building water bars, repairing trails damaged by storms or usage, and otherwise helping to keep our network of trails in tip-top shape. A strong back, and the ability to work outside in all weather on potentially rugged terrain, is a must. Familiarity with hand and/or power tools, and/or some experience with trail work, are a bonus but not required. Wear weather-appropriate clothing that can get dirty/muddy and sturdy work or hiking boots; bring water bottle, work gloves, lunch, as well as sunscreen, bug repellent and rain protection as needed. This is an occasional opportunity and days and times will vary. 

If you are interested in being a state park volunteer, but are unable to commit to the any of the current opportunities or can't find an opportunity the meets your interests, you can still sign up and register. Doing so will ensure that the Volunteer Coordinator is aware of your interest and will contact you to explore future possibilities. Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Maryland State Parks.