McCormick’s Creek State Park, Indiana’s oldest state park, was directly and seriously impacted by an EF3 tornado late on Friday, March 31, 2023. First priorities are to safely clear roads and create space to manage debris, to work with campers whose vehicles and RVs were damaged, and to assess, clear, and reopen park facilities and trails where possible. If you'd like to help at McCormick's Creek State Park, please complete this form. We are still assessing damage. When it is safe, we will be in touch with opportunities to help.
The Indiana State Parks volunteers and partners mission is to build widespread support of the division’s programs, facilities, and resources (natural, cultural, and human) by individuals, groups, and the business community, and to foster philanthropic traditions through recognition of this support.
Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, discover new things and do something good for Indiana's natural and cultural resources. Volunteers who work with our interpretive naturalists provide valuable assistance in many ways. We make every effort to match your skills and interests with our needs.
Some examples of volunteer opportunities are:
- Assist with school programs (training provided before service).
- Care for the live animals in our interpretive centers.
- Clean and maintain shelters.
- Design and care for interpretive gardens.
- Help out with program preparation.
- Identify and catalog plants, animals, or artifacts.
- Maintain trails.
- Monitor bluebird or other wildlife nesting boxes.
- Offer musical programs for campers and other guests (audition tapes required).
- Present programs as guest speakers.
- Repair wooden bridges and boardwalks.
- Remove exotic and invasive plants like garlic mustard, honeysuckle, and autumn olive.
- Serve as receptionists at interpretive centers.
To contact a property volunteer coordinator, use the property phone numbers on Find A Park.
Volunteer events
Do you want to volunteer but have limited time? Help out during a volunteer event.
- Martin Luther King Day of Service: Jan. 15, 2024, is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service. This is to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. Celebrate by helping a DNR property near you.
- National Volunteer Week: April 21-27, 2024. Virtual programs saluting volunteers will be listed on the DNR Calendar. Posts recognizing volunteers will be found on various State Park Property Facebook pages.
- National Public Lands Day: Sept. 28, 2024, is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands. DNR properties will be celebrating both Saturday and Sunday with events. See our list of events on the DNR calendar.
- Giving Tuesday: Dec. 3, 2023. This is a great time to support your local state park Friends group. See a list of groups.
Various volunteer events/activities
Many properties need help with specific programs and projects throughout the year. View volunteer opportunities by:
- Checking out our list of current volunteer opportunities in CERVIS, our volunteer management platform.
- Contacting a DNR property near you.
- Exploring the DNR Calendar.
Sign up to be a volunteer
- Create a Volunteer Profile.
- Fill out a Volunteer Service Agreement. The agreements are fillable PDFs that can be downloaded, saved, and emailed to dnrvolunteer@dnr.IN.gov when completed. No printing necessary.
- If you are 18 or older, please use the Adult Volunteer Service Agreement.
- If you are younger than 18, please have a guardian fill out the Youth Volunteer Service Agreement.
Log in to your volunteer account
If you need to update your Volunteer Profile, record your hours, manage your volunteer projects, or cancel a volunteer registration please sign in to your account.
Other ways to help
Join a friends group
Friends Groups are another way to help the parks. Friends Groups provide a unique support system for our properties. The people who belong to these groups meet new people, have opportunities to learn and grow and gain the satisfaction of helping support the site. View list of groups.
Become a campground host
Indiana state parks are looking for volunteers to serve as campground hosts in exchange for free camping during their service. Hosts work a minimum of 20 hours per week. Properties are looking for dedicated campers who enjoy working outdoors, with people, and with DNR staff. View a list of site availability and detailed information about hosting duties.
Have questions about volunteering for Indiana State Parks?
We’re happy to help.
Phone: 463-203-6562
Email: jheaston@dnr.IN.gov
