Volunteer Opportunities

Would you like to help out? By volunteering, you can help Hidden Oaks fulfill its twofold mission of education and natural resource protection.

This past year, over sixty volunteers contributed their time and talents toward:

• maintaining trails
• greeting visitors
• caring for live animals
• leading programs
• providing program assistance
• leading trail walks
• gardening
• writing
• developing exhibits
• much more!

In addition to the satisfaction that comes from volunteering, our volunteers also enjoy special recognition events, field trips, and award programs. As an added benefit, all Hidden Oaks volunteers receive the quarterly newsletter, Heart of Oak, which reports volunteer activities, lists volunteer opportunities, and profiles a volunteer of the quarter.

Are you a teen? Half of our volunteers are teens who spend most of their time assisting with programs and animal care. Last year, this talented group of dedicated individuals donated over 4500 hours!

Get Involved! Volunteers are recruited and trained year round. For more information about how you can help out at the nature center, please call the center's volunteer coordinator, Suzanne Holland, at 703-941-1065 or apply online.

Volunteer opportunities include:

Animal Care

Minimum age: 13 years
Assist with the care and feeding of the dozen-plus live reptiles and amphibians. Extensive training provided. (Teen volunteers do not provide care for the copperhead.) Time required is about 1 hour per week on a specified day of the week. A six month minimum commitment is required.

Program Leader/Assistant

Minimum age: 12 years
Lead or assist with natural or cultural history programs. Most programs are conducted weekday mornings. Scout programs are offered weekday afternoons and on some weekend afternoons. Training is provided. Prefer a 4-hour commitment per month for at least six months. Some special event and project work available for individuals and groups.

Volunteer on Duty

Minimum age: 14 years
Greet visitors. Orient visitors to the exhibits, park, and programs. Register visitors for programs, answer phone, sell merchandise, and assist park staff as needed. Training provided. Prefer two 4 hour periods per month for at least six months.

Gardening/Trail Maintenance

Minimum age: 16 years
Assist with caring for the native wildflower garden, butterfly garden and plantings around the nature center. Maintenance and development of trails plus other natural resource protection projects needed for the 52 acre park. Training provided. Prefer 3 - 6 hours per week for a minimum of six months. Some project work available for individuals or groups.