* Arts and Crafts Fair (Spring/May and Fall/October)  Work in the information booth, in the face painting booth, assist with set up/clean up, or assist vendors with carrying their merchandise on and off the site.

* Huck Finn Fishing Derby (One Saturday in late April or early May)  Help weigh fish, pass out rule sheets, tallying winners and congratulate kids as they catch fish.

* Halloween Carnival (October 31 Halloween night) Work in a game booth, snack bar, Trick or Treat Village, entertainment/attraction area, or registration. Costumes are optional.

* Street Fair (One Saturday in May)  Work in the district booth passing out information about programs and classes

Remember, all events need assistance with set-up and clean-up. Often, this is the most important assistance that is needed. You may volunteer your services at any, or all, events.

2. Recreation class aid: Many of our classes can use teacher's aids. Volunteers may help children as they learn new skills, make craft projects, or have fun at camp. Opportunities are available to assist with most youth or special education classes. Most classes are for a six week period. Class ideas can include:

Alt Rec/Acting/Gymnastics/Pool gate guard

Dancing/Soccer/Spanish/and much more...

3. After School Clubs and Camps: Assist in one of our 11 After School Clubs as a homework helper. Help is also needed at Spring, Winter, and Summer Camps.

4. Group projects: Tell us the size and ages of your group, and we will design a project for you. Examples include tree planting, Arroyo Simi cleanup, rock picking parties, flower planting, weed clearing and much more.

5. Special Olympics Practices: Assist special needs athletes as they prepare for their Special Olympics competitions. Volunteers are needed to help with bowling, and track and field.

* Bowling: Need volunteers every Tuesday, 4:00-5:30 pm, at Brunswick Valley Bowl. Need 10 teens/adults. Program is year-round with short holiday breaks.

* Track and Field: Practices are most Saturdays per month from January through April or May, culminating in Olympic competition in Ventura.

6. Clerical Assistance: Assist Park District staff at the District office (1692 Sycamore Drive) with typing, filing, computer projects, and more. No experience necessary: we will train you. Learn to type, or improve your skills in a no-pressure office setting with flexible hours. This can be a great way to ease back into a work setting, keep up your skills while job hunting, or learn new skills to make yourself more marketable to an employer.

7. Park Inspections: Help us keep our parks safe and clean. Do an inspection of a park and make out a report for our staff so that repairs can be made. Help us keep the parks looking great.

8. Rancho Simi Trailblazers (RSTB): If you like to preserve outdoor hiking trails, create new trails, and go on exciting hikes, this is the place for you! The RSTB group has fun with a purpose. There are over 100 members, activities are year-round, you can start any time. Rancho Simi Trail Blazers (RSTB)

9. Docents (Age 21+): Free training. Volunteer to lead tours for three hours each month at:

* Strathearn Historical Park - Give tours on the history of Simi Valley and historic buildings.

* Corriganville Park - Lead nature walks on the trail system for scouts, schools, and groups.

* Volunteer Trail Safety Service - Be a good will ambassador on the trails.

* Santa Susana Train Depot - The Rancho Simi Foundation and Santa Susana Model Railroad Society utilize volunteers as docents, teaching about history of the depot and railroads. Additionally, the group builds and maintains an H0 scale model railroad diorama at the Santa Susana Railroad Depot site.

MORE INFORMATION

Are you retired or between jobs? Are you looking for "something to do?" Are you tired of watching reruns on television and want to get out and feel like you are making a difference in your community? See what we can do to help you fill your time with volunteer work. We both benefit! For more information on any of these assignments, or to sign up as a volunteer, contact Colleen Janssen, Supervisor-Marketing and Volunteers at (805) 584-4453 or volunteers@rsrpd.us. 

Please do not just show up to volunteer at any of the events or groups. We make a schedule of volunteers for each event, and provide the event supervisor with your emergency information in case your parents, guardian, or significant other is needed. If you are doing volunteer work for school credit, please bring the necessary paperwork with you to the site for the supervisor to sign. Time sheets are kept on most event.