Volunteer Open House

Learn about all the ways you can make a difference in your national park as a volunteer!

Join us at the Volunteer Open House on February 28 from 1:00-3:30 pm at Happy Days Lodge. Come any time and talk to current volunteers, National Park Service (NPS) staff, and park partners about how you can get involved!

• Citizen Science: Work with park staff to monitor and survey numerous native plant and animal species throughout CVNP.

• Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad: Be a part of the iconic events on the railroad. Opportunities exist for train crew: Trainmen, Concessionaires, Servers, Platform Attendants and Guest Ambassadors, Education Program Assistants, Maintenance and Mechanical Support.  

• Cycling Schools: Facilitate biking experiences for youth from the Cleveland and Akron areas. Assist with fitting bikes and helmets to youth, accompanying youth on a bike ride along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail and ensure safety. 

• Environmental Education Center: Seeking volunteers interested in youth environmental education programming. Assist with Junior Ranger events and outdoor education programs.  

• First Ladies National Historic Site: Greet and engage with visitors of the site. Assist with youth historical interpretation.  

• James A. Garfield National Historic Site: Greet and engage with visitors of the site. Assist with youth historical education programming.   

• Habitat Restoration: Assist with invasive plant management at park-selected sites. Work includes seed collection of native plants under supervision, planting native plants, and working in the park greenhouse. 

• Lock Demonstrations: Share the history and importance of the Ohio & Erie Canal with park visitors. Wear a historic costume and use the Lock 38 gates to show visitors how locks worked or use a working lock model to demonstrate how these elevators for boats work. 

• Rail Rover: Present informal interpretation aboard Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad on regularly scheduled runs. Distribute literature, share animal pelts, and answer questions about the national park. 

• Trail Maintenance: Assist in building, maintaining and improving the bike, hike and horse trails in CVNP using hand tools and power equipment.  

• Retail Ambassador: Assist retail staff in the operation of stores by providing excellent customer service, greeting visitors and providing park information/orientation.  

• Visitor Data Assistant: Observe and record visitor use at popular park destinations. This will help the park make data-driven decisions that provide a positive experience and protect resources.

The Volunteers-In-Parks program is co-managed by NPS and the Conservancy for CVNP.