Volunteers Make Fun Happen!
Share your time and talents and be part of the team that provides exceptional park & recreation services for the Bend community.
Here’s where you can get involved!
Important information about volunteering with BPRD:
- BPRD processes a criminal history background check annually for volunteers age 18 and over.
- Minimum age requirement for volunteers varies by opportunity. Volunteers under age 12 may volunteer with some activities and events if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Apply today!
Click here for the online volunteer application.
Be a coach! Volunteers are an essential part of BPRD youth sports programs. Volunteer coaches are valuable teachers, mentors and friends for the children on their teams and support the District in keeping programs affordable so that everyone can play!
Volunteer coaches teach the skills needed for the sport, but even more important, they teach and model important life lessons like good sportsmanship and responsibility and help foster self-confidence.
Steps to becoming a successful coach
Complete the BPRD volunteer application.
- The volunteer application includes information that we will use in processing a criminal history background check. For safety’s sake, we process a criminal history background check annually for all volunteers age 18 and over helping with recreation programs.
- A BPRD sports program coordinator will contact you to confirm placement and offer information about the team you will support and details for completing the training needed.
Complete online concussion awareness training.
- Concussion awareness training is mandatory. Federal law requires all staff and volunteers working with youth in sports related programs to complete training on concussion awareness. A link to BPRD’s online training will be emailed to you after you are assigned to a team.
- This is a one-time training requirement and takes just a few minutes to complete.
Attend coaches training.
- If you are unable to attend the coaches meeting for your sport, you are responsible for reviewing the coaches manual and any training materials prior to your first practice.
Information and Resources for Coaches
Hey coach! Check out our Sports Information page for more information and resources for Coaches and Parents. Thank you for all that you do!
Adult and teen volunteers can join in to help create great experiences with a wide variety of recreation activities for people of all ages and abilities.
- Youth Recreation & Enrichment – help with science, art, crafts, cooking, theater, day camps, outdoor adventures and more. Opportunities available with after school and no-school day programs, and over summer break and holidays.
- Therapeutic Recreation – help with day camps, fitness, cooking, art and social programs for children and adults with disabilities.
- Fitness and Water Exercise – assist in the fitness center or with a fitness class. Opportunities available at Juniper Swim & Fitness Center and Larkspur Community Center.
- Adaptive Aquatics (tentative for school year 22/23) – be a buddy in the pool for school age children with disabilities. Volunteers work with aquatics staff to reinforce swim skills and water safety.
- Older Adult Programs – help with classes, activities and events held at Bend Senior Center.
Being a volunteer with Bend Park & Recreation District is a great way to build your skills and gain experience, satisfy school requirements for community service, make a difference for younger kids and have fun!
Steps to Being a Great Volunteer
Complete a volunteer application
All volunteers need to complete a volunteer application. Students under age 18 need a parent/guardian to give their approval on the application in order for the student to participate with BPRD as a volunteer.
Attend orientation
We want to set you up for success!
Teens are required to attend an orientation or training session before volunteering. Orientation or training will help volunteers learn about working with younger children and how to help create a positive, inclusive and safe experience for everyone.
For the Junior Lifeguard and Swim Instructor Aide programs, this information will be offered during training.
For teens offering to volunteer with youth recreation programs, information on how to sign up for an orientation session will be sent by email after you register to volunteer.
Be committed
We are looking for volunteers that enjoy working with younger children, want to be involved and engaged, are willing to take initiative and can help create a positive, safe, inclusive and fun experience for everyone. If this sounds like you, we look forward to having you involved as a volunteer!
Decide which opportunity is right for you
We have several options for volunteering!
Minimum age requirement and time commitment varies for each opportunity. You can learn more about the opportunities available by opening the tabs below and then click here to sign up! summer volunteer opportunities.
Summer Volunteer Opportunities
Be a volunteer with BPRD summer programs!
Who: Teens ages 12 & up
What: Volunteer with BPRD and you can:
- Make a difference for younger kids.
- Gain some skills and experience.
- Meet new friends and be part of a team.
- Have fun!
Includes opportunities in aquatics and youth recreation programs.
Volunteers age 12 to 15
Junior Lifeguard
Volunteer at the pool and be part of the BPRD aquatics team this summer!
Teen volunteers learn the skills, standards and expectations for being a lifeguard and then put that learning into practice by volunteering during rec swim sessions scheduled throughout the summer. Teens should be competent swimmers and will complete a swim skills assessment at the start of the program. Participants must attend training and volunteering is a required part of this program.
Swim Instructor Aide
Be part of the team that provides swim lessons at Juniper Swim & Fitness Center and Larkspur Community Center this summer!
Swim Instructor Aides assist trained instructors with leading swimming lessons and teaching water safety for young children. Volunteers will learn what it takes to be a swim instructor and put their knowledge into practice with supervised volunteering throughout the summer. Volunteers must be competent swimmers, be responsible and enjoy working with young children. Training is required and volunteering is an expected part of the program.
Summer Buddies – preschool program
Volunteer with preschool age kids at Juniper Swim & Fitness Center!
Volunteers help with games, crafts and activities, and get in the pool with the younger children during daily swim time. Getting in the pool with the young participants is a required as part of volunteering with this program. BPRD staff is always in the pool with the group.
Volunteers age 14 to 16
Make a difference and have fun by volunteering with some great kids!
Volunteers assist staff and support participants with a variety of activities, games, crafts and more! Location, schedule and time commitment vary by opportunity.
Here’s some of the great programs you can help with:
- Art-rageous Camp
- Cougar Camp 1
- GRO – therapeutic recreation day camp for children with disabilities
- Summer Buddies preschool
- Junior Lifeguard program
- Swim Instructor Aide program
Volunteers age 16+
Teens age 16 and over can help with the programs listed for volunteers age 14-16, plus these programs:
- Cougar Camp 2
- Cougar Camp 1 & 2 combo weeks
Location, schedule and time commitment varies by program.
Volunteer experience is a big plus!
Volunteering is a great way to gain some experience, practice skills and learn about your interests.
When you are ready to look for paid job, we encourage you to take a look at the opportunities available with Bend Park & Recreation District. BPRD hires many seasonal and part time employees each summer for a variety of positions. There may be jobs available during the school year that can fit your schedule too. Click on the “jobs” tab on the homepage to see the list of current opportunities.
Having experience as a volunteer with BPRD is not a guarantee for hiring, but it’s definitely great information to list on your application!
Volunteers help create fun and memorable experiences for the community!
- July 4th Pet Parade – Thursday, July 4 – in downtown Bend.
Volunteering in Parks, Off Leash Areas, Trails and Natural Spaces
Volunteers can get involved with taking care of Bend’s parks, off leash areas, trails and natural spaces to help keep these places beautiful and safe for everyone to enjoy!
Volunteer Project Days
Supporting natural spaces and trails
Join the BPRD natural resources and trails staff and other volunteers to pull weeds, remove trash, close off unofficial trails, and plant native vegetation at volunteer project days scheduled this spring and summer. Sign up for one or many and help take care of the places we all love.
Saturday, May 17 – Trail Improvement Project at Manzanita Trail
Location: Discovery Park neighborhood, Manzanita Trail in the Westgate area
Time: 9:00 am -12:00 pm
Best for: Adults and children ages 14 and over
Work level: Moderate to heavy
Volunteers will help improve a new section of the Manzanita Trail that connects from this Discovery Park neighborhood to Shevlin Park. Projects include moving branches and rocks, raking dirt and gravel, litter pick up and weed pulling.
Saturday, June 7 – Trail Improvement Project at Shevlin Park
Location: Shevlin Park
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Best for: Adults and children ages 14 and over
Work level: Moderate
In honor of National Trails Day.
Volunteers will assist BPRD staff with cutting overgrown vegetation along the edge of the trail corridor to improve passage. We will be working on multiple trails throughout the park on both flat and more uneven terrain. Projects include trimming vegetation, picking up plant debris, moving small to medium rocks, raking dirt and gravel, litter pick up and weed pulling.
Saturday, June 28 – Weed Pull at Drake Park, trail and boardwalk
Location: Drake Park, boardwalk area
Time: 8:00 – 11:00 am
Best for: Adults and children accompanied by an adult
Work level: Low to moderate
In partnership with Upper Deschutes Watershed Council and the Deschutes River Cleanup event.
Volunteers will help BPRD staff with hand pulling thistles and other noxious weeds growing along the new boardwalk area.
Saturday, July 19 – Weed Pull at Big Sky Park
Location: Big Sky Park
Time: 8:00 – 11:00 am
Work level: Low to moderate
Best for: Adults and children accompanied by an adult
Volunteers will work with BPRD staff to hand pull noxious weeds.
Saturday, August 16 – Weed Pull at Discovery Park West, natural area
Location: Discovery Park West, natural area
Time: 8:00 – 11:00 am
Work level: Low to moderate
Best for: Adults and children accompanied by an adult
Volunteers will work with BPRD staff to hand pull noxious weeds.
Saturday, October 18 – Pollinator Planting at Alpenglow Park
Location: Alpenglow Park
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Work level: Low to moderate
Best for: Adults and children accompanied by an adult
Help plant native vegetation to support area pollinators such as butterflies, hummingbirds, bees and moths.
Important information about volunteering with these projects is available on the SignUp Genius event webpage.
Park Host/Ambassador
Volunteers serve as hosts at community parks including Riley Ranch Nature Reserve, Shevlin Park, Alpenglow Park and Big Sky Park. These hosts offer information about the experiences that are available in the park and share reminders with visitors about park rules. Volunteers do not provide enforcement and need to be able to support a welcoming and inclusive experience for all park users
Volunteer shifts are two hours each week. This opportunity is best for adult volunteers who are comfortable with being outdoors in a park setting in a variety of weather conditions.
Application is required and a criminal history background check is processed prior to volunteering.
Adopt-a-Park, Trail or Off Leash Area
Groups, businesses, schools, families or individuals can adopt a park, off leash area or section of Bend’s urban trail system and help with caretaking for that site. Volunteers are asked to visit regularly all year – picking up litter, pulling weeds and keeping an eye out for vandalism and potential safety concerns.
Current Adopt-a-Park and Trail volunteers: Click here to complete your monthly Adopt-a-Park/Trail Visit Report
Group Park Projects
Volunteer groups can make a big impact by helping with a landscape maintenance project in a park.
Volunteer projects may be available in spring, early summer and fall, depending on current park district needs. When available, projects are generally scheduled for weekdays and are planned for 2-3 hours of volunteer time. The projects offered typically include activities such as picking up litter, pulling weeds, clean up for landscaped and natural areas, and spreading bark mulch. BPRD staff provides support, materials and most tools needed for the project.
For more information about volunteering to support care for parks and trails, contact:
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Questions?
Contact:
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