Volunteer

Join the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River team as one of our amazing volunteers! The park is looking for individuals and groups to help accomplish and assist with a variety of projects. No matter your skillset and experience, anyone with a desire and enthusiasm to help preserve, protect, and promote the natural, cultural, and recreational resources of the Upper Delaware River Valley are invited to join Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River’s volunteer team. Volunteers are critical to the success of the National Park Service and generously donate their time and talent to help park sites across the country.

 

Did You Know?

In 2023, over 400 volunteers volunteered over 10,000 hours at Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River? 

Volunteers working with the park and with park partners assisted in swiftwater river rescues, park cleanup events, bald eagle programs, and so much more! 

 

To apply to volunteer or learn more about volunteer opportunities at Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, plese email the volunteer coordiantor Ingrid Peterec or contact her at 570-493-1020. Alternatively, you can direct apply through the listing of open volunteer opportunities below.

Limited housing and campground sites are available for some volunteer positions.

 

Volunteer with Us!

Read about our Volunteer Positions

 

Types of Volunteer Opportunities at Upper Delaware SRR

Below are summaries of the various volunteer positions available at Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River. For more details on individual opportunities, check out our volunteer opportunities page.  

If you are interested in volunteering but do not see an opportunity that speaks to you, please contact us to discuss your interests and skills. We are always interested in developing new volunteer positions to match the talents and interests of new volunteers.

Delware Highlands Conservancy Eagle Watch Volunteer

The Upper Delaware river region is home to migrating eagles and nesting pairs of the country's national bird. Learn all about eagles, learn how to identify them, and help assist in educating visitors and fellow eagle-enthusiasts on good "Eagle Etiquette" when searching the skies for eagles. Volunteer shifts are during weekends in January and February, when migrating eagles and resident pairs spend winter months in the Delaware River region. 

National Canoe Safety Patrol

Help us educate visitors about water safety and save lives on the river as a volunteer with the National Canoe Safety Patrol (NCSP)! The NCSP has assisted Upper Delware Scenic and Recreational River with swiftwater rescue and river safety education for several decades, providing a critical service to the park and river. Volunteer shifts are on weekends and holidays from May to September. Training and eqipment are provided.

Oral History Transcription Volunteer (Remote Position)

Help the park preserve and share the stories of the Upper Delaware Valley region by transcribing interviews with local river valley residents from the mid-1980s. Over the last 20 years, approximately 150 interviews have been recorded, with over 100 interviews yet to be transcribed. This is a flexible, remote volunteer opportunity that will give volunteers a unique glimpse into the local history of the Upper Delaware Valley. 

Park Ranger Intern

Get a glimpse of what its like to be a riverside park ranger at Upper Delaware as a Park Ranger Intern. This unique internship is open to college-age students and involves assisting with river safety, staffing river accesses, conducting educational programs, and staffing the Zane Grey museum. The internship is 40 hours per week from mid-May to mid-August. Housing, uniform, and mileage compensation are available.

Riverside Kiosk Volunteer

Help promote river safety while keeping both feet on dry land as a Riverside Kiosk Volunteer! Give general information, answer visitor questions, give river safety talks, and communciate hazardous river conditions to help keep visitors safe while enjoying the spectacular recreational opportunities of the Delaware River. Volunteer shifts are for 4 hours, during the months of June through August.

Wear It Watch It Volunteer

Support and participate in river safety research studies at Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River as a Wear It Watch It Volunteer! Volunteers observe and record data on life jacket usage on the Upper Delaware River during the busiest weekends on the river between May and August. This easy volunteer opportunity is even easier and more fun with a friend--so consider bringing a buddy!

Zane Grey Museum Docent

If you love talking to new people and have an interest in history, consider volunteering at the Zane Grey Museum as a museum docent. Docents greet visitors, open and close the museum, and staff the museum bookstore. The museum and position are open May through September,Thursday through Sunday. 

 

Volunteering Alongside Our Partners

Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River works directly with many local organizations and partners. The volunteer work done in collaboration with these partner organizations is essential to preserving the Delaware River, promoting safe river activity, and sharing the natural and historical stories of the river with the public. Please consider volunteering in one of our partner volunteer positions today!

 

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  Help save lives on the water!

  National Canoe Safety Patrol

  National Canoe Safety Patrol is seeking volunteers to help with river safety education & rescue assistance from May to September each year.

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  Do You Have Eyes on the Eagles?

  Delaware Highlands Conservancy

  The Delaware Highlands Conservancy is seeking volunteers to assist with various programs, including their winter eagle watch program.

 

Apply for Current Volunteer Opportunities at Upper Delaware SRR