Volunteers receive training during a summer foray mushroom hunt volunteer event.

Volunteer

    Already a volunteer? Log in here!

    Volunteer With Carmel Clay Parks

    We love our volunteers! The time you commit to working with us truly makes our parks and programs better for the community. As a volunteer, you will gain real-world experience and make a true difference. Whether you are on your own, with a friend, or with a larger group – we have a variety of volunteer projects for groups of all sizes.

    Our volunteer opportunities range from getting your hands dirty in our parks to assisting our staff with recreation and adaptive programs. Volunteering is a great way to earn service hours while impacting our environment and community.

     

    Become a Volunteer in 4 Easy Steps

      • Click here to make a volunteer account.
      • Complete our CCPR  Volunteer Training.
      • Sign up for opportunities through your volunteer account! Opportunities may vary based on the time of year. 
      • Adopt-a-Park, Extended School Enrichment, Adaptive, and Summer Camp volunteers may be asked to complete a background check.

    Our Volunteer Philosophy 

    Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation engages residents of City of Carmel and Clay Township in meaningful volunteer opportunities that improve quality of life and cohesion in our municipality and contribute to a thriving local economy and sustainable park resources. We achieve this by proactively communicating volunteer opportunities to the public, educating individuals on the benefits of volunteer work for personal and community wellbeing, and helping volunteers participate in projects that best suit their interest and skillset in order to create the most positive impact for our community.

    Resources

     

    Become a volunteer

    Account Tutorial
    How to create an account + log hours

    Request a group project

    Questions?

    Contact us at volunteer@carmelclayparks.com

    Sign Up for Our Newsletter

    Which topic are you interested in?

    Volunteer Opportunities


    Trash and recycling bins at the trailhead on the Monon by the Monon Community Center.
    Parks + Sustainability

    To Recycle, or Not to Recycle, That Is the Question

    Recycling is a great low-effort way to help the environment. Still, not everything belongs in our parks’ blue bins. Recycling things we wish could
    Read More

    Opportunities to Volunteer

     
      • Our Park Stewardship program offers terrific opportunities for our younger volunteers. Volunteers 16 years and younger can participate with a parent or guardian.
      • Extended School Enrichment program volunteers must be 18 years old or older and pass a background check.
      • Adaptive program volunteers must be 18 years old or older and pass a background check. 
      • Summer Camp Series and Park Stewardship volunteers must be 16 years old or older to volunteer independently.

    Don’t see something you’re interested in? Email us at volunteer@carmelclayparks.com to talk more about how your interests might fit into our program. 

    Park stewardship and nature education

    Park Stewardship + Nature Education

    Help keep our parks clean and safe by signing up for the following opportunities:
    - Restoration Projects (invasive species removal, tree planting)
    - Citizen Science (long-term monitoring)
    - Nature Education (nature programs, knee-high naturalist)
    - General Park Maintenance (playground mulching, litter cleanup)

    Volunteer
    Volunteers at a group project

    Group Projects

    - Is your organization looking for a way to give back to the community? We have a wide range of activities perfect for businesses, community organizations and schools. If interested in scheduling a group project, please submit a Group Request Form via the button below. The volunteer coordinator will look it over and contact the group for further discussion.

    Volunteer
    Group volunteering at park

    Adopt-A-Park

    - Opportunities for businesses, HOAs and the general public to engage in the community while maintaining and improving our trails and natural areas.
    - Volunteers will feel a sense of partnership with their local park, trail or natural site.

    Learn More + Apply
    Boy smiling in an adaptive program

    Adaptive Programs

    - Designed specifically for individuals with disabilities to ensure everyone can participate.
    - From helping coach sports to helping create original art pieces, there are a variety of programs our volunteers can support.

    Volunteer
    Extended School Enrichment

    Extended School Enrichment

    - Work with before and after school programming for kindergarten through sixth-grade students in Carmel Clay Schools.
    - Requires a commitment of at least one day a week for a semester. This allows high school volunteers to really become a part of the program, and provide students with someone they can rely on each week.

    Volunteer
    Kids at Summer Camp Series

    Summer Camp Series

    - Support camp staff as they run camps for students ages 5-15 years.
    Volunteer
    Eagle Scout box project

    Eagle Scout Projects

    Have an idea for your scout project? Email us at volunteer@carmelclayparks.com to learn more about Scout projects with CCPR.

    Project Process

    Girl Scout Gold Award Projects

    Have an idea for your scout project? Email us at volunteer@carmelclayparks.com to learn more about Scout projects with CCPR.

    Project Process

    Citizen Science

    Citizen Science is the collection of scientific data relating to the natural world by non-professional scientists (members of the general public), often for the greater good of the community. We have a few different Citizen Science programs that volunteers can be involved in depending on their interest. Our established programs include bird monitoring, invasive species monitoring, native plant monitoring, bluebird monitoring, and stream monitoring.

    Citizen Science

    Give back to your community + become a volunteer today!

     

    Register