Trail Guardians help to keep the trails in our surrounding forest preserve clean and well maintained. This position includes picking up litter/recycling and keeping trail borders maintained. All work is done independently without the assistance of a naturalist.
Trail Guardians must demonstrate a love of the outdoors. Volunteers will receive an orientation course as well as direct guidance on where and when to perform the work. This position includes daily check-ins with the CCNC volunteer coordinator to determine work schedule, quality of work, hours worked, etc. Volunteers will be supervised by the volunteer coordinator and staff naturalists.
Trial Guardians work a scheduled day and commit as much time as they are able and willing each week. The scheduled day will be based on both your availability and the Nature Center’s needs. Work is done entirely outdoors throughout the year. The position requires some light lifting, walking on uneven terrain, prolonged standing, and bending. Volunteers must be 14 years of age or older.
Volunteer Application Process:
- Fill out and submit a volunteer application and participation waiver.
- Have two adults (unrelated to you) email a letter of reference to ccnc@rockvillemd.gov attn: Volunteer Coordinator.
- Letters of reference should outline:
- How the person knows you
- How long they have known you
- Speak of your character
- The Volunteer Coordinator will reach out to you once all the previous paperwork has been submitted to discuss availability.
- Attend a brief, in-person interview at the nature center to discuss the position.
- If you are still interested in the position and we feel you would be a good addition to our team, the Volunteer Coordinator will invite you to become a Trail Guardian.
- Read the provided volunteer handbook and sign the contract on the final page.
- On the day of your first shift, a brief orientation training will be provided.
This opportunity is available for student volunteers to earn SSL hours. Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian and must be completed outside of school hours. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit organization directly with any questions and/or concerns. The nonprofit is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. For SSL hours to be added to a student’s record, students must submit MCPS Form 560-51, Student Service Learning Activity Verification Form, to the school SSL coordinator by the due dates on the form (no later than the first Friday in June), which can be found at bit.ly/SSLReflection. Students will need to complete sections 1 and 3 of MCPS Form 560-51 in full. In lieu of section 2 of MCPS Form 560-51, students should attach the “SSL Hour Form” completed and provided to the student by the City of Rockville supervisor.
