Happy Spring! Come out, join the nice weather, and see what opportunities we have available!
Horticulture Education volunteers help in programs by assisting educators with supplies and helping participants with their activities such as gardening, crafts, science projects and floral arranging. Gardening volunteers help plant and maintain the education gardens with activities such as weeding, trimming, and fall clean up.
Working alongside our professional horticulture staff, Gardenworks volunteers perform tasks such as planting, pruning, propagating, edging, weeding, and raking. Tools are provided. The Gardenworks program begins in Mid-April and continues into the end of November. Gardenworks volunteers work at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum on Tuesdays, and Willowwood Arboretum or Bamboo Brook OEC on Wednesdays from 9 am - noon. Please wear closed toed work shoes.
Options are available -
Trail Watchers, Trail Ambassadors, Trail Keepers, and Trail Fun Series. Trail Watchers visit trails and report on specific trail conditions or issues on any trail at any time of year. Trail Ambassadors are frontline on the trails for information, education, and guidance to other trail users. Trail Keepers perform general maintenance on specific trails.
The Trail Fun Series provides for participants to engage with a specific trail project once per month on the third Saturday, 9 am to 1 pm. Participation is limited to 20 people.
There are so many ways to volunteer with MCPC's Historic Sites!
Volunteers can assist with special events, historic gardens, behind-the-scenes collections, school tours, and more.
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Fosterfields Living Historical Farm |
Historic Speedwell |
Cooper Gristmill |
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At this 213.4-acre historic farm and mansion, volunteers can help guests experience 1920s farm life in Morristown. Help with living history education, tours, crafts, and gardening. |
Also known as the "Birthplace of the Telegraph," this historic Ironworks tells the story of modern communication. Volunteers can help teach science, machinery, and crafts. |
Built in 1826, the water-powered Cooper Gristmill is one of the last in NJ. Guests can see its 2,000-pound mill stones grind grain, learn local industrial history, and take home a fresh bag of flour. |
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Morristown, NJ |
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Chester, NJ |
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For any questions, please contact volunteer coordinator Avital at 973-631-5049 or AShtapura@morrisparks.net.
Looking to build your portfolio? The MCPC offers dozens of photogenic places to inspire you - including historic mansions, flower gardens, horse stables, and ice rinks!
Snap action shots during special events, fun pics for social media, or golden-hour photos of our scenic landscapes. No matter your specialty or skill level, we welcome your talent and will find an opportunity that matches your interests.
Custom times and dates available.
Do you love using Canva, running IG accounts, or taking pictures? If so, we would love your help for our official MCPC social media accounts.
Volunteers will team up with their favorite park or historic site and create social media posts. This weekly opportunity is available year-round, with a customized schedule. Youth volunteers are welcome.
The Morris County Park Commission offers seasonal events year-round! Our events combine games, exercise, community, fun activities, and education. We would appreciate volunteer help during our events. A few upcoming events include S’more Fun Trail Run at Central Park of Morris County, Fosterfields Fall Farm Fun, and Creatures of the Night at the Great Swamp.
Skilled in woodworking, blacksmithing, or another handy craft? Perform your skill at our historic sites' special events, or help create signs and props behind the scenes. Either way, we would appreciate your handiwork at your favorite MCPC site!
Please contact us for specific opportunities.
Our parks and sites are common field trip destinations for schools all over New Jersey!
Lead young groups in 1920s farm chores at Fosterfields, geology hikes at Pyramid Mountain, or nature walks at the Great Swamp. Many more opportunities are available throughout Morris County.
Stay active outdoors while helping our staff educate the Morris County community!
Training and custom hours provided. Please contact us for specific dates and opportunities.
Interested in becoming a teaching assistant? At MCPC sites, we offer all kinds of educational programs for children and adults! Help our staff lead workshops, demonstrate skills, and provide new skills for our guests to take home.
We can find opportunities to match your interests.
Youth volunteers welcome.
There are so many ways to volunteer at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm!
Located at 73 Kahdena Road in Morristown, New Jersey, we operate a working farm as well as providing seasonal events, historic mansion tours, school programs, and an interactive transportation exhibit.
Please note that our volunteers require a brief interview before they can get started.
For any questions, please contact volunteer coordinator Avital at 973-631-5049.
| Activity | Shifts | Start | End | |
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| Cottage Flower Gardening | 1 | |||
Our youth program category seeks to provide educational and fun experiences for our community members ages 3 and up! All of our youth programs involve hands-on activities and many of them take place outdoors. Volunteers will work as a support to our Education staff and be prepared to be creative, patient, adaptive and active!
Most if not all activities will either be outside or have an outside component. Volunteers should dress appropriately (long pants without holes, closed-toe shoes, etc.)
| Activity | Shifts | Start | End | |
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| "Branching Out!" Summer Camp - 3 weeks of camps AM and PM shifts available | 28 | 7/8/2025 | 7/25/2025 | |
| "Branching Out!" Summer Camp - 3 weeks of camps AM shifts only | 15 | 7/28/2025 | 8/15/2025 | |
| Arboretum Artists - Summer Camp | 10 | 8/18/2025 | 8/22/2025 | |
| Arboretum Favorites - Summer Camp | 10 | 8/25/2025 | 8/29/2025 | |
| Branching Out Program Volunteer (Weekend Programs) | 7 | 9/6/2025 | 10/18/2025 | |
Gardenworks volunteers donate their time to assist MCPC staff at the horticultural sites. Volunteers will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience within specialized gardens and brush up on, or gain new insights on, performing tasks such as planting, propagating, pruning, plant identification, and more! Tools will be provided, however, volunteers may bring their own tools and gloves if they so, please.
Most if not all activities will either be outside or have an outside component. Volunteers should dress appropriately (long pants without holes, closed-toe shoes, etc.)
| Activity | Shifts | Start | End | |
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| Garden Volunteer - Bamboo Brook (RMG) | 15 | 7/10/2025 | 10/30/2025 | |
| Garden Volunteer- Frelinghuysen Arboretum (RMG) | 17 | 7/8/2025 | 10/28/2025 | |
| Garden Volunteer- Willowwood (RMG) | 17 | 7/9/2025 | 10/29/2025 | |
Collections involve cataloguing, care, and preservation of historic objects!
| Activity | Shifts | Start | End | |
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| Research/Collections Volunteer | 1 | |||
Historic Speedwell, the birthplace of the telegraph, features interactive factory exhibits, historic house tours, and crafts and programs for all ages!
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We are located at 333 Speedwell Ave in Morristown.
Our volunteers require a brief interview before they can get started.
For any questions, please contact Avital at 973-631-5049.
| Activity | Shifts | Start | End | |
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| Strangest Things Halloween Event | 1 | |||
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Morris County Park Commission (MCPC) on the trail system. There are multiple options for participation in the MCPC Adopt A Trail Program. These options include the following;
| Activity | Shifts | Start | End | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trail Keeper | 1 | |||
| Trail Watchers | 1 | |||
The Mission of the Morris County Park Commission is to develop and preserve a dynamic and unique system of diverse natural, cultural and historic resources, and to provide innovative education and recreation opportunities of regional value, while exercising environmental and fiscal responsibility.
