[Assateague State Park]
Assateague State Park
Volunteer Opportunities
Contact: Angela Baldwin, Volunteer Coordinator
7307 Stephen Decatur Highway
Berlin MD 21811
410-641-2120, ext. 20
abaldwin@dnr.state.md.us

Friends of Assateague State Park, Inc.
Cherie Rodriguez, President
2247 Pike Drive
Greenbackville, VA 23356
757-854-0724

Volunteers In The Park (VIP's)

Anyone who is interested in maintaining the quality of cleanliness, programs and customer service within Assateague State Park can be a VIP. Duties vary and include: assist with interpretive programs, assist in the Ranger Station and contact stations, bath house cleanup, and assist the park staff during special events and pony patrol.

VIP's that wish to stay at Assateague must perform 28 hours/week of volunteer service. In return the VIP may stay at the park free of charge. Any amount of assistance is appreciated. Students that participate in the VIP program are eligible to earn community service credit hours.

Volunteer Ranger - Interpreters

To be a Volunteer Ranger Interpreter you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or G.E.D., no criminal record and a driver's license with a good record. Applicants must also have completed 40 hours of voluntary service to the park before being eligible for this program. Applicants must also agree to a time commitment of 100 hours per year after they receive training.

Volunteer Ranger Interpreters' responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • development, preparation, presentation and evaluation of interpretive programs at Assateague State Park's Nature Center
  • creation and maintenance of displays
  • care of aquariums and live animals
  • assisting with special events
  • assisting with alternative funding efforts
  • other duties as assigned

In return for 28 hours/week of volunteer service, the Volunteer Ranger Interpreter may stay at the park free of charge. Students that participate in the Volunteer Ranger Interpreter program are eligible to earn community service credit hours.

Camp Host

Participants in the Camp Host program at Assateague State Park are required to perform a minimum of 28 volunteer hours/week. In exchange, participants are provided their campsite free of charge. Camp Host duties may include, but are not limited to:

  • policing the park
  • picking up after the ponies
  • cleaning out fire rings as campers leave
  • checking bath houses in the morning and evening for cleanliness, toilet paper and burnt out light bulbs
  • greeting campers
  • working in camper contact station as needed
  • assisting with special maintenance projects

Volunteer Ranger - Operations

Volunteer Rangers at Assateague State Park may be assigned to operations. In this capacity, they will be required to meet the standard conditions of a Volunteer Ranger, as specified above, as well as some additional standards, such as being required to put in 28 hours/week during the peak camping season, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

Any Volunteer Ranger performing 28 hours/week is eligible to receive a campsite free of charge. The volunteer may be assigned to the campground office, where duties may include registering campers, providing information to visitors, answering phones and handling radio communications with other park staff. Duties assigned outside the office may include checking the campground for campers' compliance with check-out time requirements, assisting with day use fee collection, traffic control during busy times and assisting park rangers. There is a high degree of responsibility involved with this position and volunteers must be able to work alone and without direct supervision.

Special Events

Volunteers are needed to assist with set up, beach cleanups and other activities involved with the many special events that take place each year at Assateague. To become a volunteer for any of these events, contact the park's volunteer coordinator.

  • January - Assateague Coastal Trust (assist with set up)
  • April - March of Dimes Walk America, Walk for Healthier Babies (assist with set up)
  • May - Horseshoe Crab Field Day (assist in horseshoe crab education stations, set up and operation)
  • June - Bayside Cleanup (assist with beach debris removal)
  • June - AMSA Youth Fishing Derby
  • September - Coastal Cleanup (assist with beach debris removal)
  • September - Maryland Coast Day (assist with set up and operation)

[Eastern Maryland]

Last updated March 21, 2008