Opportunities From: Connect Central Oregon

Be a Swim Buddy! Help children with disabilities learn water safety and swim skills.

Adaptive Aquatics volunteers work with swim instruction staff and are in the pool to support children with learning and practicing water safety and swim skills. Program participants are elementary and middle school age children with disabilities. Program is offered in partnership with Bend La Pine Schools.

The program is offered on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, 9:30 to 11:30 am. Volunteers typically help either Tuesday or Thursday morning each week.

Volunteers must complete a volunteer application and a criminal history background check is processed. Volunteers receive training and work closely with staff throughout the program.

Coach youth lacrosse!

If you have lacrosse experience - we need you!

Volunteer coaches needed for co-ed, boys & girls programs. Participants are grade 1-8. Lacrosse season is late March to the end of May.

The youth lacrosse program emphasizes skill development, participation, teamwork, sportsmanship and fun. Teams meet twice each week and play an 8-game schedule.

Lacrosse experience is preferred. Volunteer application is required and a criminal history background check is processed for all potential volunteers age 18 and over prior to volunteering. Volunteer coaches receive training and support throughout the program.

Pre-season training for volunteer coaches will be held in mid-March.

Teen volunteers needed!

Join in and be part of the fun with Bend Park & Recreation District this summer!

Therapeutic Recreation day campsArt camps Cougar Camp

Junior Lifeguard training and volunteer programSwim Instructor Aide training and volunteer programSummer Buddies preschool 

Minimum age requirement, schedule, and time commitment vary by program. 

Celebrate the 4th of July with Bend Park & Recreation District!

Saturday, July 4th, 2026

Volunteer opportunities available for groups, teens, adults and families.

Pet Parade - Harmon & Drake Park area

8:30 am to noon

Monitor road closure points along the parade route (age 18 plus) Help with event set up, activity support and clean up tasks

For more information, contact kim@bendparksandrec.org or 541-706-6127.

Share your love for Shevlin Park!

Shevlin Park volunteers walk the park and greet visitors to offer information about experiences available in the park, offer reminders to keep dogs on leash, pick up litter and notify staff for any concerns. Volunteers are not responsible for enforcing park rules.

Adult volunteers cover a two-hour shift each week and can pick the days and times that they volunteer. Volunteers may walk the park or may be stationed at a mobile kiosk.

A volunteer application is required, and a criminal history background check will be processed. Volunteers meet with staff for an orientation prior to volunteering. On-going training and support are provided.

The volunteer application is available on the BPRD website at www.bendparksandrec.org.

 

 

Be a host at Riley Ranch Nature Reserve.

Volunteers greet visitors and offer information about experiences available in the park and provide reminder for the parks special no bikes and no dogs rules when needed. Volunteers are not responsible for enforcement. 

Adult volunteers cover a weekly two-hour shift on weekdays and weekends. A volunteer application is required, and a criminal history background check will be processed. Volunteers meet with staff for an orientation prior to their first shift. On-going training and support is provided.

The BPRD Volunteer Application is available at www.bendparksandrec.org, click on the volunteer tab near the top of the homepage.

 

 

Gather a group to help take care of your favorite places.

Volunteers can help with projects such as raking landscaped and natural areas, spreading bark mulch, picking up litter and pulling weeds. Other seasonal projects may be available.

Projects are typically 2-3 hours and scheduled for weekdays between 8 am to 3 pm.

Volunteers with well trained dogs support Bend Park & Recreation District's goose management program on park district properties. 

Adult volunteers and their dogs visit parks and trails regularly to help encourage geese to move on and out of the parks.

Interested volunteers must complete a volunteer application and a criminal history background check will be processed. Owners & their dogs will participate in an evaluation session to assess communication and the team's ability to work safely with the dog off leash in the parks. The team must demonstrate reliable recall skills and the dog must be able to ignore distractions and cannot touch or harm the birds.  Training and on-going support is provided.  

Help with taking care of your favorite outdoor places. Individuals, families and groups can adopt a site and agree to visit regularly to pick up litter and keep an eye out for weather damage, graffiti, vandalism or potential hazards. Adopters may also take on seasonal projects such as raking out landscape beds, spreading bark mulch and pulling weeds.

There are a variety of parks and trail sections available for adoption. A volunteer application is required, and an on-site orientation will be scheduled prior to getting started with volunteering.