Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers participating in a tree planting There are many volunteer opportunities available in Maryland's state parks.

  • State Parks - A complete listing of opportunities, by region, available in all state parks.

  • Camp Host - In exchange for free campsites during their stay, volunteers assist with many duties associated with the park's campground. Volunteers must agree to work 20 hours per week for at least 30 days of the year.

  • Volunteer Mounted Patrol (VMP) - The Volunteer Mounted Patrol patrols the parks on horses of their own. Serving as the "eyes and ears" for the park rangers, volunteers look for and report vandalism, violations and trail maintenance needs. VMP's also provide information for park visitors. Volunteers are provided with CPR, first aid and Volunteer Ranger training. Horses must also complete an assessment in order to participate in the program. For more information email Larry Martin at lmartin@dnr.state.md.us

  • Volunteer Bike Patrol - Volunteers must provide their own bikes and be capable of riding both paved and unpaved roads. Bike patrols report downed trees on trails, washouts and other park related hazards. Volunteers also assist with on-the-spot trail maintenance during their patrols. For more information, email Larry Martin at lmartin@dnr.state.md.us

  • Group Projects - We welcome school, community, church, scout, social and business groups to assist with projects ranging from cleanups to special events and trail maintenance. Your group can volunteer on a one-time or long-term basis.

  • Other volunteer opportunities - While each park's needs will vary, opportunities are available for trail maintenance, special events staffing, bird box building, camper registration, tree planting, sign making, carpentry work and maintenance, painting, gardening, leading canoe trips and nature hikes, photography, office/computer work, and historical research.

  • The Friends of the Maryland State Parks - Many state parks have advocacy volunteers, or "Friends Of" groups, whose efforts raise awareness, consciousness and appreciation for the protection, preservation and improvement of Maryland’s public lands. These volunteers play an instrumental role in organizing events, lobbying elected officials in support of public lands legislation, promoting park activities and raising money to support park programs.

  • Volunteer Manual - If you would like to join other individuals and groups who volunteer their time and talent to help make the state parks a fun and educational experience for millions of visitors each year, please click here to download an application.

  • For more information email Larry Martin, Maryland Park Service Volunteer Coordinator, at lmartin@dnr.state.md.us.

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Last Updated April 13, 2009