Volunteer

Want to lend a hand?

Raccoon Creek State Park is always looking for volunteers interested in helping with a variety of park projects and programs.  You can volunteer as a Conservation Volunteer or join the Friends of Raccoon Creek State Park.

What is a Conservation Volunteer?

Volunteers make a difference! Your support clearly shows that you want to help conserve Pennsylvania's priceless natural resources.  You help us stretch the budget way beyond what we otherwise may be able to afford.  You gain valuable skills, work with interesting people and accomplish creative, meaningful, and challenging work in all our locations.  A volunteer may work independently on a project or as a member of an organization. Areas of Interest: 1.  Trails/Wildlife Habitat - This volunteer improves the hiking trails and wildlife habitat.  Examples include: creating or clearing hiking trails; reintroducing species of concern; improving wildlife habitat; and cleaning and stabilizing stream beds. 2.  Interpretation/Environmental Education - This volunteer works with the park or forest visitors.  The volunteer interprets the interrelationships between people and their natural, cultural and historic environments.  Examples include: developing programs, brochures, and displays; assisting in the visitor centers; conducting guided walks; presenting interpretive programs; and presenting outdoor programs to school groups. 3.  Forest Fire Prevention/Protection - This volunteer helps with forest fir prevention and protection programs.  Examples include: assisting with "Smokey Bear" appearances; presenting fire prevention programs in schools; and, suppressing forest fires. 4.  Technical and Engineering - This volunteer assists the technical and engineering staff.  Examples include: designing general engineering projects; maintaining technical specifications and catalogs; and developing computer databases. 5.  Campground Host - This volunteer serves as a "live-in" host at a state park campground.  Campground hosts are model campers who set good examples for others.  They greet and assist campers and cabin occupants, perform light maintenance work, and assist with registration.  Camping fees are waived for campground hosts. 6.  Maintenance - This volunteer improves the facility grounds.  Examples include: planting trees and flowers; repairing foot bridges; improving accessibility to recreational areas; installing park signs; and doing light maintenance work.. 7.  Research - This volunteer researches and creates inventories of Pennsylvania's natural resources.  Examples include: researching and writing the history of forests, state parks and heritage parks, developing check-lists of flora and fauna, and assisting with geographical and topographical studies and field mapping. 8.  General - This volunteer performs general office duties and public contact work in a DCNR central, district, or field office, or works in areas not covered above. Requirements:  Applicants under 18 years of age who apply to work independently on a project require parental or legal guardian consent.  Organizations are required to provide a list of their volunteers and proof of parental/guardian consent for members under 18 years of age.  Applicants must be physically and mentally able to carry out the assigned projects. How to Apply:  Complete an application and return it to the Wildflower Reserve Nature Center or mail it to:

Patrick Adams Raccoon Creek State Park 3000 State Route 18 Hookstown, PA 15050

For additional information call the Nature Center at (724) 899-3611.

Click HERE for an application.

Click HERE for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Conservation Volunteer Program web site.