JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

Volunteers bring enthusisasm, skills and innovation that keep Tryon Creek a place like no other. Over 1,700 volunteers contribute 12,600 hours to the Park every year. Whether you want to volunteer for just a few hours or every day, we have the right job for you. To find out more, click on these links or scroll down.

GETTING STARTED

We offer a wide range of volunteer opportunities, including: 

• Positions based in the Nature Center, or outside in the field
• One-time opportunities, and long-term jobs
• Jobs needing no prior training and experience, and for those with special skills
• Positions for volunteers of all ages, including adults, retired people, youth, and students
• Work parties for families and for groups (corporate, schools, churches, clubs, etc)

Visit our page of volunteer opportunities to learn more about current positions and upcoming work parties.

BENEFITS FOR VOLUNTEERS

In addition to the personal satisfaction of volunteering, as a committed volunteer you benefit from: 

• A 10% discount in the Nature Store
• Ongoing trainings and workshops, including field trips across Oregon
• Invitations to special events, including the annual volunteer thank-you gala
• The chance to make new friends, and join a fantastic, lively community
• Knowing you make a big difference

• Check out our volunteer opportunities to find out the kinds of volunteering takes place at Tryon Creek.
• And check out volunteer news for current needs at Tryon Creek
• Fill out our volunteer application (pdf) and return to our Volunteer Coordinator, Amy Hoffman
• If you have any questions, or would like to come to the Nature Center to find out more, contact our volunteer coordinator:
  • Amy Hoffman
  • (503) 636-4398
  • amy@tryonfriends.org.
• Read below to find out more information about groups and youth volunteering, or to download additional forms.

GROUPS

• Groups of 6 or more, including families, students, friends, or organized groups, must call to arrange a service project. Groups of 6 or more may not join a drop-in work party without contacting us ahead of time.
• We will schedule special ivy pull work parties for groups.
• We are not usually able to schedule trail maintenance or tree planting projects.

GROUPS OF YOUTH

• Youth groups usually participate in ivy pulls.
• All minors under age 18 must have a legal parent or guardian sign a minor consent form allowing their child to participate in a volunteer project. The group leader is only eligible to sign consent forms for his/her child, not all underage participants.
• Children participating in a school-sponsored activity during school hours, scout groups and some others may be exempt from signing the minor consent form.
• While we are flexible and can accomodate most groups, we do have restrictions to assure that the volunteer experience is as positive and successful as possible. Regretably, we are not able to meet every group's needs.
• All chaperones are expected to participate fully in the volunteer activity, and are responsible for the behavior and supervision of underage participants.
• Chaperones and children should dress for the weather and wear clothes appropriate for the activity.

MINORS (UNDER 18)

• Check our list of volunteer opportunities for youth-oriented service options. Opportunities for young people include:
  • Ivy Pull
  • Trail Maintenance (14+)
  • Planting
  • In-Stream Restoration (14+)
  • Adopt-A-Plot
  • Assistant Counselor (14+)
  • Nature Center Host (14+)
  • Events (14+)
• All minors under age 18 must have a legal parent or guardian sign a minor consent form allowing their child to participate in a volunteer project.
• Children under age 14 must be accompanied by a supervising adult

<back to top>

COURT-ORDERED
COMMUNITY SERVICE

• If you have court-ordered community service hours to complete, you may be eligible to volunteer with the Friends of Tryon Creek. You will be required to complete an additional form for court-ordered service (see "FORMS" below).
• PLEASE NOTE:  Individuals who have been convicted of or charged with any crime involving or relating to child abuse or neglect, child pornography, child abduction, or any other violent offense, including kidnapping, rape or any sexual offense, or who have ever been ordered by a court to receive psychiatric or psychological treatment in connection with such crime or crimes are NOT permitted to volunteer with us.

FORMS (PDFs)

• Current volunteer newsletter
• Volunteer application
• Assistant counselor application
• Adult (18+) volunteer release form
• Minor (under 18) volunteer release form
• Group (all participants 18+) volunteer release form
• Court-ordered community service form
• Volunteer timesheet