Opportunities From: Helpline Center Volunteer Connections

Whether you’re part of a service club, youth group, business team, or faith community, South Dakota State Parks has volunteer opportunities that bring people together while making a difference in our great outdoors. Opportunities are available year-round for groups of all sizes. Projects can be tailored to fit your group’s skills, schedule, and interests.

Group Volunteer Activities May Include:

https://gfp.sd.gov/volunteer/

Assist in all areas of visitor services and park maintenance. May perform light maintenance work around the campground such as litter pickup, sweeping and stocking of restrooms.

Although small in size, Lake Alvin has become a very popular area. This 59 acre park is best known for its beach facilities and excellent fishing. Its proximity to Sioux Falls and Newton Hills State Park make it a great place to enjoy a day on the beach. The focus of Lake Alvin Recreation Area is water recreation. The park has become a popular gathering place for swimmers, boaters and anglers.

https://gfp.sd.gov/volunteer/

https://www.volgistics.com/od/39289/assignment/444/profile

Assist with a variety of projects as an organization or park scheduled volunteer event. Examples include painting, park clean-up, tree planting/removal, landscaping, building construction/maintenance, trail work, and much more. To request a group volunteer activity, contact your local park. Groups with volunteers under 18 are expected to have adult supervision.

Newton Hills State Park was named after William Newton who settled in the area in the 1850s. Newton's wife was a mid-wife; until the 1870s, she was the only European American north of Vermillion who could deliver babies and cure the sick.

Glaciers created this narrow strip of rolling hills and forest that is part of the geological formation called the Coteau des Prairie, which extends along the eastern boundary of South Dakota. At its highest point, the Coteau rises to more than 2,000 feet above sea level. Artifacts and burial mounds found near the park indicate that a Woodland Indian Culture inhabited this region between 300 B.C. and 900 A.D. The area's unique dark forest, amidst a vast open prairie, has prompted many recent legends, including buried gold, robbers' hideouts and horse thieves.

Over 200 species of birds visit the area each year. White-tailed deer, wild turkeys, marmots, rabbits, red and gray fox and squirrels are also found within the park. Between October 1 and April 30 each year, bow hunting is allowed in the park. Hunters will not be using the high traffic areas located near the hiking trails. Uncased bows and firearms are not allowed within the campground and picnic areas.

https://gfp.sd.gov/volunteer/

https://www.volgistics.com/od/39289/assignment/443/profile

Welcome guests to Good Earth and help them make the most of their visit. Volunteers provide information, answer questions, and share knowledge about the park’s history, wildlife, and recreational opportunities.

Good Earth State Park southeast of Sioux Falls is an important cultural and historical site as well as a unique nature retreat adjacent to the most developed and populated part of our state. The site itself is one of the oldest sites of long-term human habitation in the United States. The river, abundant wildlife, fertile flood plains, availability of pipestone (catlinite), and protection from winds made the area an important gathering place for seasonal ceremonies and a significant trading center for many tribal peoples from 1300-1700 A.D.

https://gfp.sd.gov/volunteer/

https://www.volgistics.com/od/39289/assignment/421/profile

Interacts with visitors, answers phones, takes messages and assists with general office duties.

Big Sioux Recreation Area lies on the banks of South Dakota's Big Sioux River. Close to the cities of Brandon and Sioux Falls, Big Sioux is popular among campers, canoers, bicyclists, hikers, disc golfers, history buffs and archers. When the snow flies, groups of snowmobilers gather at the enclosed warming house.

Special Projects volunteers interprets natural surroundings for visitors.

Big Sioux Recreation Area lies on the banks of South Dakota's Big Sioux River. Close to the cities of Brandon and Sioux Falls, Big Sioux is popular among campers, canoers, bicyclists, hikers, disc golfers, history buffs and archers. When the snow flies, groups of snowmobilers gather at the enclosed warming house.

Work alongside park staff to help keep the park welcoming and well-maintained for visitors. Volunteer duties may include painting and staining park facilities, mowing, planting and watering trees, cleaning comfort stations, vault toilets, and fish cleaning stations, as well as assisting with other maintenance tasks and projects coordinated with park management.

https://gfp.sd.gov/volunteer/

ttps://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/custer-state-park/

Cleans vault toilets and empties trash cans located throughout the park.

https://gfp.sd.gov/volunteer/

https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/custer-state-park/

Welcome guests to Custer State Park and help them make the most of their visit. Volunteers provide information, answer questions, and share knowledge about the park’s history, wildlife, and recreational opportunities.

https://gfp.sd.gov/volunteer/

https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/custer-state-park

Work alongside park staff to help keep the park welcoming and well-maintained for visitors. Volunteer duties may include painting and staining park facilities, mowing, planting and watering trees, cleaning comfort stations, vault toilets, and fish cleaning stations, as well as assisting with other maintenance tasks and projects coordinated with park management.

https://gfp.sd.gov/volunteer/

https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/george-s--mickelson-trail/

Assist park staff at campground evening programs, tours, or other interpretive activities.

https://gfp.sd.gov/volunteer/

https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/adams-homestead-and-nature-preserve/