Volunteer

Campground Host 

Washington County Parks welcomes campground hosts in the campgrounds at Lake Elmo Park Reserve and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park. Campground hosts are volunteers who live in the campground, in their own camping unit, for a portion of the summer. In exchange for a free campsite, they are responsible for providing information to campers, registering campers in the spring and fall, cleaning restrooms as necessary (between staff cleanings), and other related tasks. These positions fill quickly and may not always be available. If you are interested in learning more about these positions, contact the Parks Division's Guest Services Supervisor at 651-430-8245 or email at Lori.Meyers@co.washington.mn.us.


Eagle Scout & Silver Award Projects
** Projects for 2017 filled, Only Projects for 2018 to be Reviewed**


Washington County Parks regularly receives requests for Eagle Scout/Silver Award volunteer projects, where a scout has identified a project to solve a problem/need in the parks. Below is a list of current potential projects, we also encourage scouts to present their own ideas:
  • Construction of Archery target holders at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve Archery range
  • Construct Peterson Bluebird Houses to replace old houses
  • Construct wooden benches in the parks
  • Construct a wooden composting area for Horses at Lake Elmo Park Reserve
  • Wood storage crib at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve Nordic Center
  • Natural resource activities (buckthorn removal, tree planting, seed collecting)
  • Trail improvements
  • Build a prairie seed cleaning/drying and organizing system
Spend time in a county park or facility and think about the project, discuss the project with troop leaders and parents prior to submitting the Eagle Scout Project Description Form.

Project Process


  1. Scout completes Eagle Scout Project Description Form and sends email to Dan.MacSwain@co.washington.mn.us. Response will be given within 30 business days. ** Projects for 2017 filled, Only Projects for 2018 to be Reviewed**
  2. Natural Resource Coordinator reviews and recommends projects for selection to Parks Manager. 
  3. Project meeting with the Natural Resource Coordinator, and (with Eagle Coach or other adult). Discuss project scope, required paperwork for volunteers, safety and project funding.
  4. Scout performs project.
  5. Scout reports work completed, number of volunteers and service hours to Natural Resource Coordinator.
  6. Natural Resource Coordinator signs project completion form for Eagle Scout.

Natural Resource Management


 Volunteer opportunities include:
- adopting a rain garden
- adopting a trail
- collecting acorns and hazelnuts
- planting trees
- prairie seed collection
- bluebird house monitoring
- growing plants for habitat restoration (Forbs, milkweed, ect)

If interested, contact the Park Division's Natural Resources Coordinator at 651-430-4323 or email at Dan.MacSwain@co.washington.mn.us.

Random Survey Counts

 
These volunteers help collect information from park visitors at various places around the County. During specific 2-hour periods, volunteers count visitors and hand out visitor surveys. This data helps staff determine park use and visitor preferences. Volunteers are needed at nearly all parks, including the Hardwood Creek Trail in Hugo / Forest Lake. If you are interested in being a random survey volunteer, please contact the Park Division's Guest Services Supervisor at 651-430-8245 or email at Lori.Meyers@co.washington.mn.us.