Volunteering

About

Volunteers assume a crucial and valuable role within the Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks. These dedicated individuals willingly contribute their time to support the department in fulfilling its mission.

The program is specifically crafted to provide volunteers with a meaningful experience that benefits both the community and the individual. The advantages of volunteering are multifaceted and include the acquisition of new skills, community involvement, exploration of fresh interests and pastimes, interactions with a diverse array of people, and the accrual of community service hours.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers generously contribute their skills and expertise to offer dedicated service, aiming to enhance the well-being of the Howard County community. Opportunities for volunteering come in both one-time and ongoing capacities. In certain instances, such as when volunteers are aged 18 or over, or for specific roles, a background check may be required to participate. Additional prerequisites may apply depending on the chosen volunteer program.

Howard County Recreation and Parks greatly relies on the invaluable assistance of volunteers in diverse departments to ensure the efficient delivery of services. These opportunities encompass a wide spectrum of roles, including coaching youth sports, assisting with local events and festivals, park maintenance, involvement in youth programs, contributing to historic preservation projects, engaging in advocacy for social change, and numerous other avenues. You can explore current volunteer opportunities by visiting the volunteer website provided below.

For a current list of actively recruiting volunteer positions, please visit www.HoCoVolunteer.org.

Service & Skills Club (New)

Introducing the Service & Skills Club! This volunteer opportunity offers free skill-building workshops led by community leaders and business owners. From entrepreneurship and career development to financial literacy and other valuable topics, these workshops empower individuals to learn and grow. Visit www.HoCoVolunteer.org, type keyword “service” for sessions, dates, locations, and times, and join us to enhance your skills and contribute to a stronger community. Info: Volunteer Office, volunteer@howardcountymd.gov.

Presenters - Service & Skills Club (New)

Are you a community leader or business owner eager to give back? Join us as a workshop presenter! Share your expertise and help empower others in our community. To learn more or to express your interest in volunteering visit www.HoCoVolunteer.org, type keyword “service”. Together, let's foster a culture of learning and giving back.

Internships

Our internship program is carefully crafted to offer aspiring professionals a unique opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in the dynamic field of recreation and parks management. At Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks, we are committed to nurturing talent, fostering growth, and preparing the next generation of leaders in the world of recreation and parks.

Internship Roles and Responsibilities

As an intern at Howard County Recreation & Parks, you will have the opportunity to:

Collaborate with experienced professionals on key responsibilities and duties relevant to Recreation and Parks Management.
Gain hands-on experience in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of recreational programs and park facilities.
Contribute to the enhancement of our community’s quality of life through recreation and parks initiatives.

Refer to the attached document for additional information regarding our internship program.

InternshipProgram_InformationPacket.pdf

Volunteer Background Check

Howard County Government requires that every individual who meets the criteria defined in the Criminal Background Investigations Policy and Procedure undergo a background check or complete the CJIS process for fingerprinting. A criminal history check serves as a means to review an individual’s background in respect to their participation in our programs. No screening process can offer absolute assurances; yet, knowing an individual’s criminal background can provide more certainty that people with a history of inappropriate behavior will not have the opportunity to volunteer. As such, the objectives of our background check program are to ensure that our citizens have a safe and positive experience and to provide peace of mind to participants in our volunteer programs.

Background Check Program for Volunteers.pdf

Become A Coach

Why Become a Volunteer Coach?

Volunteering as a youth sports coach is a rewarding way to make a lasting impact in your community. Coaches not only help young athletes develop skills and teamwork, but also build confidence, foster sportsmanship, and promote a healthy, active lifestyle. Whether you have previous coaching experience or are new to the role, you’ll have the opportunity to positively influence the next generation through the power of sports.

As a volunteer coach, you’ll:

Help shape a positive, inclusive environment where all children can thrive.
Teach fundamental sports skills while fostering personal growth and teamwork.
Be a mentor and role model, guiding athletes both on and off the field.
Build connections with families and other volunteers in your community.
Gain personal satisfaction by contributing to the development and success of youth athletes.

Support for Coaches

We understand the importance of preparing our coaches to succeed. That’s why all volunteer coaches have access to free online training through our Coaches & Administrator Registry Program. These training include:

Concussion in Sports: Features important information on how to talk about, prevent, and respond to concussions. [Length: 20 minutes]
CPR/AED/First Aid: The CPR/AED/First Aid certification course equips you with essential life-saving skills in a concise and accessible format. The course covers the Good Samaritan Law, ensuring you understand your legal rights when providing aid. You’ll learn CPR techniques for infants, children, and adults, along with how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in emergency situations. The First Aid section prepares you to manage common injuries and medical issues, including wounds, fractures, burns, and poisoning. Additionally, the course covers response techniques for heart attacks, hemorrhages, choking, and shock, ensuring you're ready for a wide range of critical situations. This comprehensive training provides the confidence to act swiftly and effectively in emergencies. [Length: 25 minutes]
Protecting Youth Athletes for Coaches: The training focuses on helping coaches recognize signs of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, and misconduct, and intervene; gain an understanding of how to support those who may have experienced any of these abusive behaviors; and learn how to help prevent it from happening in the future. [Length: 40 minutes]

Annual Background Check Investigation for Coaches

A criminal history check serves as a means to review an individual’s background in respect to their participation in our programs. No screening process can offer absolute assurances; yet, knowing an individual’s criminal background can provide more certainty that people with a history of inappropriate behavior will not have the opportunity to volunteer. As such, the objectives of our background check program are to ensure that our citizens have a safe and positive experience and to provide peace of mind to participants in our volunteer programs. [Length: 2 – 14 business days to process]

Coaches & Administrator ID Badge

Upon completing the required training and background check investigation, volunteers will be issued a Coaches Registry badge, which is valid for up to one year.

By volunteering with Recreation & Parks, you help to develop the future of our community through the avenue of sports participation. To view available volunteer opportunities, visit www.HoCoVolunteer.org.