Youth Community Service at Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park is a great opportunity to experience the rich history and lush landscapes of the site all while serving the community! Community service hours and one Coe Hall tour voucher will be given to all participants. Current opportunities are listed below and are available to youth, those with special needs, and those attending organizations focused on education and life skills. Please contact Jocelyn Russo, Planting Fields Foundation Education Manager, at jrusso@plantingfields.org if you have any questions or have your own idea for a Community Service project.
Seed Library: Create a Mini Garden, Grades 7 and up
Interesting in gardening? Planting Fields is now offering an opportunity for students to help us grow seasonal plants as part of our new Soil Chefs: Community Compost Experience. You will be given seeds, seed starting trays with soil, and directions how to grow these seeds. Once the seeds have germinated, you will get to plant your seedlings in a small Grow Bag which will be on display at our composting educational site. Ongoing gardening (such as watering and pruning) of your Grow Bag is also available.
Visitor Mapping, Grades 10 and up
Planting Fields is running a data collection program to better understand our visitors and how we can best serve our community. We are looking for tech-savvy and detail-oriented individuals who are willing to speak with guests and ask them to participate in the Visitor Mapping Program. Must be polite, energetic, and comfortable communicating with a diverse population. Scheduling is flexible around availability.
Crafting Sit-Upons, Grades 6 and up
Planting Fields is looking for volunteers to assist in crafting “sit-upons” or waterproof cushions for use during our outdoor K-12 Group Visits. These sit-upons will make it more comfortable for our young visitors as they observe nature from the ground-up. All crafting materials will be provided. Scheduling is flexible around availability.
2-L Soda Bottle Collecting, All Grades
Planting Fields Foundation is looking for volunteers to help collect 2-L soda bottles which will be used to create mini compost bins for our Soil Chefs: A Community Compost Experience field trip. Soda bottles must be rinsed out and dried before returning to Planting Fields. Please note, that participants must collect 15 two-liter soda bottles to receive one Coe Hall tour voucher.
Cubby Design and Painting, Grades 4 and up
Planting Fields Foundation is looking for volunteers to assist in designing and painting crates which will be transformed into cubbies for our education headquarters. Each participant will receive their own crate, paint, and paint brushes. Crates can be crafted at home or onsite for groups with more than 5 participants. All provided materials are the property of Planting Fields Foundation and must be returned.
A flyer of these listings is available here.
Interested in Community Service? Complete the form below to be considered.