Park Ranger Thomas contacted the Ivy’s to let them know they had been selected for the volunteer position.  When they got the call, Ivy said “We were as excited as if we were going to make $50,000.  We were just thrilled.” 

Over 300 Corps lakes and projects nationwide participate in the Volunteer Clearinghouse to help protect the natural resources and maintain the recreation facilities.  Park rangers need volunteers to serve as campground and park hosts, staff Visitor Centers, conduct programs, restore fish and wildlife habitat, maintain park trails and facilities, and more.  Some volunteers like the special events, such as shoreline cleanups and National Public Lands Day.

Ivy said “We like working in the Visitor Center best.  I love to talk to people when they come in.  They come from all over.” 

Some Corps lakes provide volunteers a free campsite with water, electric, and sewer hookups.  The job duties, time period, and hours are agreed to between the park ranger and the volunteer.

Volunteers are not paid, but receive other valuable benefits.  They gain skills, work outdoors at beautiful lakes, meet new people, see new areas of the country, and achieve a proud sense of helping the environment and other people.  Lakes, parks and Visitor Centers across the country need volunteers. 

Volunteers play an important role in protecting the natural resources and maintaining the recreation areas managed by the Corps of Engineers.  Nationwide during 1999, 70,000 volunteers contributed over 1.2 million hours of work with an estimated value of $13.5 million.

         Those interested in volunteering can reach the Volunteer Clearinghouse at 800-VOL-TEER (800-865-8337) or on the Internet at www.lrn.usace.army.mil/volunteer.

FACT SHEET

The US Army Corps of Engineers Volunteer Clearinghouse is a national information center for people who are interested in volunteering their time at Corps lakes and projects.

The Volunteer Clearinghouse has a toll-free telephone hotline number, 1-800-VOL-TEER or 1-800-865-8337, and a web site, www.orn.usace.army.mil/volunteer.

The Clearinghouse links volunteer workers with Corps lakes and projects across the country that can use their services.  Each person that contacts the clearinghouse receives a volunteer packet with opportunities, points of contact, application, brochure and map.

The Corps of Engineers is the steward of almost 12 million acres of land and water across the country.  Volunteers play an important role in protecting the natural resources and maintaining recreation facilities.

Volunteers serve as campground hosts, staff visitor centers, conduct programs, clean shorelines, restore fish and wildlife habitat, maintain park trails and facilities, and more.

A free campsite is sometimes provided for volunteers.

Volunteers are not paid but receive other benefits.  They gain valuable skills, work outdoors, help people and the environment, meet new people, have fun, and enjoy making a difference.

On the web site, www.orn.usace.army.mil/volunteer, people can obtain information on line and Corps personnel can submit vacancies to fill their volunteer needs.

The public benefits from the Clearinghouse by have one location with a toll-free telephone number and web site to learn about volunteer opportunities nationwide.  The Corps of Engineers benefits from the Clearinghouse by making contact and possibly recruiting more potential volunteers that may not otherwise know about the program.

Nationwide during 1999, over 70,000 volunteers contributed over 1.2 million hours of work with an estimated value of $13.5 million.

The Volunteer Clearinghouse has received over 25,304 requests since its beginning.  Nearly 300 Corps lakes and projects participate in the program.