Volunteering
Got any Talents, Time, Concern, Energy, Enthusiasm...
Volunteering is a task of one's own initiative. A volunteer is one who serves or acts of his or her own free will. Volunteers give help, perform a service, or accept an obligation voluntarily. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are very appreciative of the unselfish dedication of the Rend Lake Volunteers who assist throughout the year. Our volunteers work hard and have a lot of fun while making a significant difference in the daily operations, activities, and special events at Rend Lake. They gain valuable experience and knowledge. You too can be a volunteer.
HOW? For volunteer inquiries, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at the Rend Lake Project Office by calling 618-724-2493 or e-mail RendInfo-MVS@usace.army.mil. Persons under the age of 18 must have parental approval.
WHEN? Volunteers participate in a variety of tasks and activities throughout the year. Volunteer positions are determined by both volunteer interests and project needs. Seasonal positions include campground hosts, facilities maintenance and cleaning, mowing of fields and recreation areas, bike trail maintenance, and much more. The Rend Lake Visitor Center and Pollinator Garden need volunteer help all year long. If you are someone who loves people and animals or maybe you have a skill such as gardening, metal working, painting, crafting, arboriculture, woodworking, or presenting educational programs, we’d love to have you! In addition to volunteer positions that contribute to the day to day operation of Rend Lake, there are also a number of volunteer positions that correlate with the seasons and various special events. Examples of special events and programs that an individual can volunteer for include: the Christmas tree fish habitat program, the Earth Day Celebration, tree planting, planting and upkeep of flower beds, the Rend Lake Beach Blast, Rend Lake's Annual Cleanup/National Public Lands Day Celebration and the Rend Lake Deer Hunt for Persons with Disabilities. Whether you want to volunteer for a season or for a day there is an option for you. If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out with any questions you may have, many projects are on hold pending volunteers to implement them!
WHERE? Volunteers are encouraged to assist in areas of their own interest. They can volunteer with any of the four departments - Interpretation, Visitor Assistance, Facilities Management, or Environmental Stewardship. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's Rend Lake Volunteer program is very flexible and allows for considerable variety in the days and hours a volunteer can work.
WHAT CAN I DO? Volunteers can choose from a wide variety of tasks. These include campground host, Visitor Center assistance, campground programs, wildflower garden planting and tending, flower and tree planting, hiking trail maintenance, office and computer assistance, recreation area maintenance including mowing, cleaning and bike trail maintenance, photography, brochure development, maintenance of wildlife nesting boxes, special event planning and implementation, flyer design, and updating bulletin boards.