Make a difference in the life of a child by volunteering at Playground Camp!

Since 2008, Washtenaw County Parks has partnered to host Playground Camp, a high-quality, low-cost full-day camp experience for elementary-aged children across multiple locations in the Ypsilanti community. Children enjoy arts, games, recreation, and field trips, as well as critical educational support to combat the summer slide.

Participating volunteers join a care team that includes seven staff members, two Foster Grandparents, tutors from the Family Learning institute, and Parks Naturalists, all caring for up to 50 kids at each Playground Camp location.

Learn more by reviewing the position description on our website: https://www.washtenaw.org/4037/46682/Playground-Camp-Volunteer

APPLICATION PROCESS
1. Enroll in the section titled "APPLY FOR PLAYGROUND CAMP VOLUNTEER".
2. We will process your application, running a background check. Once we approve your application, you'll be able to enroll in lunch or program shifts at either the West Willow or Sugarbrooke location.

Questions? Contact the Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected].

County Farm Park | 1 - 4pm | Fri 4/26, Sun 4/28, Fri 5/3, Sun 5/5, Sat 5/18, Fri 5/24
Learn, explore, and give back to nature in a friendly setting. In spring, we’ll revel in the glorious wildflower displays of Britton Woods, while protecting them by removing invasive garlic mustard, dames rocket and bittercress. Enjoy off-trail outdoor exercise and develop a sense of well-being in nature, all while building community with like-minded people. Led by Jonathan Parker. Snacks and gloves provided—bring a water bottle.

For questions or cancellations, contact the volunteer coordinator, [email protected].

Many locations | Mon 4/22, Sat 4/27, Wed 5/15, Wed 5/22, Sat 5/25, Wed 5/29
Explore our region’s beautiful diversity of spring ephemeral wildflowers and get trained as a Wildflower Ranger through this hands-on service-learning activity removing spring invasive plants. You’ll also learn the basics of spring edible weeds (most of which are related to broccoli!). Attend a training session, then volunteer two more times on your own to become a Wildflower Ranger, earning a certificate, a t-shirt, and bragging rights! Snacks and gloves provided—bring a water bottle.
WEEKEND
• 4/27: Parker Mill
• 5/25: Draper Houston Preserves
WEEKDAY
• 4/22 (Earth Day): Scio Woods Preserve
• 5/15: Burns-Stokes Preserve
• 5/22: Leonard Preserve
• 5/29: Weatherbee Woods Preserve

For questions or cancellations, contact the volunteer coordinator at [email protected].

On Tuesdays, Get Hands-on in the Garden through Big Mulching Days and Big Planting Days! Snacks and gloves provided—bring a water bottle. Rain dates for all activities occur the next day (Wednesdays).

4/30: Big Mulching Day @ County Farm Park
5/7: Big Mulching Day @ Sharon Mills County Park
5/14: Big Planting Day @ County Farm Park
5/21: Big Planting Day @ Sharon Mills County Park

BIG MULCHING DAYS
Spring is for mulching! Join Washtenaw Parks staff and a caring community of volunteers for a morning spent outdoors in nature mulching garden beds to prepare for planting. Get a decent workout, learn valuable tips and tricks for ergonomic gardening that will pay off for a lifetime, and learn about the vital role of mulching in the landscape.

BIG PLANTING DAYS
Spring is for planting! Join Washtenaw Parks staff and a caring community of volunteers for a morning spent outdoors in nature planting a whole lot of beautiful plants. Enjoy exercise outdoors in community and learn tips & tricks for successful plantings.

LOCATION INFORMATION
COUNTY FARM PARK—Your efforts provide critical improvements to a series of esteemed community gardens, including the Geometry in Bloom Perennial Garden, the Sensory Garden, and the Memorial Garden, all located at County Farm Park.
SHARON MILLS COUNTY PARK—Your efforts enhance a beautiful historic mill (one of Henry Ford’s original Village Industry sites), located along the River Raisin with scenic hiking trails.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Washtenaw Parks!
BEFORE APPLYING: visit our website (https://www.washtenaw.org/3054/Volunteer), and review the position description to make sure you are a good fit for the program. Please make sure you have any requisite skills, and that your availability aligns with the advertised schedule for the position. Your attention to these details will ensure more resources dedicated to our region's exceptional parks system. Thank you!

FOR MOST PROGRAMS: registration constitutes an application rather than official enrollment. After applying, you will be contacted by the program manager with further information.

FOR ALL PROGRAMS: for questions, cancellations, or as an alternative application option, e-mail the designated program manager or volunteer coordinator Matthew Bertrand, [email protected].