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| Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department Volunteers |
Contact |
Jennifer Jones-Lacy,
Volunteer Coordinator
816-513-7509
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About the Volunteer Program To fulfill the mission of the Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation Department, it is essential to have active participation from residents in the community. The Department encourages the involvement of volunteers at all levels. The volunteer program aims to increase and improve the capabilities of staff by effectively using community volunteers and more importantly, to provide a means for people to participate in their community in a fulfilling, fun and rewarding way.
Volunteer opportunities are available in a variety of parks and recreation programs. Please explore the volunteer program webpage to learn more.
Volunteer Opportunities Contact the volunteer coordinator to sign up for any of these events, preferably by sending an email to Parks.Volunteer@kcmo.org or calling 816-513-7509. Scheduled Seasonal Opportunities
Sporting KC Ability Sport Camp Sporting KC Training Facility, 6310 Lewis Road, Kansas City, MO
Thursday, May 31 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Ability Camps are an introductory skills development opportunity for people of all ability levels, including but not limited to, Developmental Disabilities, Physical Disabilities/Injures, Cognitive Disabilities and Vision Impaired. Participants will be divided into small groups according to age and/or abilities levels, and work on a variety of skills at four - five stations. Volunteers are needed to help with setup, registration, take down and direct assistance of participants at the skills stations. No prior experience is needed or specialized skills are needed. Volunteers must be 16 years of age. Heartland Heat TriathlonTiffany Hills Park, 9400 N. Congress Avenue KCMO Friday, June 8, 1 – 6:30 p.m. Sunday, June 10, 5:00 a.m. – noon Volunteers are needed for the first Heartland Heat Triathlon at Tiffany Hills Park. Duties include coordinating packet pickup, guiding participants, assist athletes with timing chips, staffing aid stations, and providing needed encouragement for athletes as they push through the grueling endurance challenge. Volunteers will get a free t-shirt for their service.
City of Fountains Bike Ride Washington Square Park, Pershing Rd. and Grand Blvd.
Sunday, June 17 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers are needed for the annual City of Fountains Bike Ride to help with rider registration/ check-in, food and beverage stations, and the after ride Picnic in the Park. Summer Enrichment Camp - Tree Camp Loose Park Pavilion, 52nd and Wornall Road Monday, June 18 – Thursday, June 21 Monday, June 25 – Thursday, June 29 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. We are looking for two volunteers per day to help conduct our annual Tree Camp for our Summer Enrichment Camp kids. Tree Camp is a tour based activity that will introduce our summer camp participants, ages 7 – 14, to different kinds of trees in Loose Park. Trees are located by following a compass course with coordinates that lead to different trees in the park. At each tree there will be a discussion about the tree and its features. Campers will also work on a craft project, and participate in games. Volunteers will help campers through a guided activity and assist with crafts. KC Royals Ability Sport Camp Fred and Shirley Pryor YMCA Challenger Sports Complex, 2100 NW 87th Terrace, Kansas City, MO
Tuesday July 17 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. Ability Camps are an introductory skills development opportunity for people of all ability levels, including but not limited to, Developmental Disabilities, Physical Disabilities/Injures, Cognitive Disabilities and Vision Impaired. Participants will be divided into small groups according to age and/or abilities levels, and work on a variety of skills at four - five stations. Volunteers are needed to help with setup, registration, take down and direct assistance of participants at the skills stations. No prior experience is needed or specialized skills are needed. Volunteers must be 16 years of age.
COMMUNITY CENTERS AND RECREATION
Tutoring – If you enjoy working with children and helping them realize their potential, consider after-school tutoring at one of our 10 community centers. Kids throughout across the city will visit community centers immediately after school lets out to work on their homework, socialize and exercise. Assistance with school work is always a welcome addition at any center. Youth Coaching – Coaches are needed for Biddy Basketball for ages 5-8 in January, T-ball in April and May, and Flag football in September and October. If you know the rules of the game and love kids, this may be your opportunity to teach good sportsmanship and teamwork to kids in your community. Youth Advisory Council Member-Marlborough Community Center – Members work with staff to determine effective methods to serve youth in the surrounding community. Volunteers will participate in program management and planning, work on a team to assess the needs of the surrounding neighborhoods. Volunteers must have customer service and computer skills, and a valid driver’s license. Community Center Ambassador - Ambassadors assist community centers with customer service, answering phones, filing and assisting staff with basic operations. Ambassadors are very committed individuals who may also be asked to participate in program planning, and help identify ways to better serve citizens at each community center. Special Projects – If you have a special skill that could benefit the community centers, please let us know. You could teach a class to children, seniors, or adults, you could help plan special events, help with summer camp and more. Recycling Ambassador – Recycling Ambassadors are essential to ensuring the success of recycling programs at Kansas City’s parks and community centers and reducing the waste stream. Recycling Ambassadors spend time at Penguin, Swope and/or Loose Parks to monitor the recycling bins and educate park visitors about proper recycling methods. We will also be recycling at eight community centers – Line Creek, Kansas City North, Gregg-Klice, Tony Aguirre, Brush Creek, Southeast, and Hillcrest. Recycling Ambassadors could also visit these community centers to educate users on proper recycling and monitor the bins to ensure proper use. Training will be provided. Ambassadors choose their preferred location(s). INTERNSHIPS
Unpaid internships are a great way for undergraduate and graduate students to earn real world experience. Those interested in gaining experience in marketing, park planning and design, recreation or park administration may apply for an internship through the City Internship Program. Visit the City Managers Office and click on “ Internships and Fellowships with the City” to learn more and apply.
PARKS
Partners in Parks – Perfect for neighborhood associations, businesses, and other community and social organizations that what to clean up parks in their neighborhood. In addition to litter pick-up, park adopters could:
Help clear invasive brush such as honeysuckle Gardening and landscaping – planting flowers, shrubs and trees, and mulching Pruning shrubs, trees and more Friends of Lakeside Nature Center – The Friends of Lakeside Nature Center rehabilitate wildlife brought to the center, provide educational programs to school groups and others and help with special events. Those interested can contact our partners at Lakeside Nature Center at folnc@crn.org or visit the Friends of Lakeside Nature Center website. Gardening - Assist with planting flowers, shrubs and trees on park properties. Kansas City Northern Railroad at Line Creek – The Kansas City Northern Railroad operates three miniature 16-inch gauge passenger trains or the public on a 5/8th mile track in Line Creek Park and is seeking new members. The trains run weekends and holidays May through September. Volunteers are needed year-round as engineers, conductors, ticket agents, mechanics, and track workers. No experience is required. Training is provided for all positions. The club meets every Wednesday evening at the Line Creek Park train building for work sessions. For more information, drop by between 7:00 and 8:30 p.m. You can also contact Lenny Ohrnell at 816-516-1114. Shoal Creek Living History Museum – Covering more than 80 acres of beautiful rolling hills in Kansas City North's Hodge Park, the museum dedicates itself to bringing the 19th century Missouri to life through special events, programs, tours and reenactments. Volunteers are needed to assist with all of these activities. Adopt-A-Trail Program – Like Partners in Parks, the Adopt a Trail program is great for neighborhood organizations, businesses, social groups, churches and any other group that cares out the keeping Kansas City’s trails clear and accessible. Trail Adopters would help clear overgrown brush and tree limbs, clear litter, mulch trails, seed and other duties that are appropriate for that trail. Parks maintenance staff will provide the tools and materials necessary for maintenance. The department will place a sign on the trail recognizing the group for their service.
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