To begin making a difference in our community by volunteering on a regular basis, regular volunteers must submit a Volunteer Application to the Volunteer Department and receive approval from the Site Director.   

Summer Camp
• “Camp Free to Be” at Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association (HISRA)
(Day Camp) M-F: 6/9 to 8/8; 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
(Extended Care) M-F:  6/9 to 8/18; 7:30 am - 8:30 am; 4:00 pm- 5:00pm. 
Everyone is free to be who they are at Camp Free to Be!  At this camp you will work closely with campers ages 4-22 who have special needs or disabilities.

• “Summer Daze” Day Camp at Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association (HISRA)
M-Th: 6/9-7/31; 8:30am-4:30pm
Camp Director: Sarah Turner
This community-based recreation program is for individuals with special needs or disabilities ages 13-21.  Each day involves a field trip into the community.  Ability to lift and provide strong support to campers helpful. 

• “Legends” Summer Camp at Logan Center
M-F: Session II 7/11 to 8/1; 9:00am-4:00pm
Camp Director: Terri Cannon
Serve as an Activity Leader, providing a dynamic and positive camp experience for youth ages 6-12.  Camp includes recreation, nutrition, crafts, conflict resolution, and other topics.

• Zoo Camp 2008 “Eco-Adventure!” at Peoria Zoo
All Camps run M-F.
Camp Director: Jill Roderick
Session IV 7/7-11; 9:00am-2:00pm.  (2^nd/3^rd and 4^th/5^th Grades)
Session V 7/14-18; 9:00am-3:30pm. (6^th-8^th Grades)
Session VI 7/21-25; 9:00am-2:00pm. (2^nd/3^rd Grades)
Grab your safari jacket and join the Zoo for an exciting summer!  Assist “Zookids” as they discover all kinds of adventure while exploring how they can help the environment.

Camp Wokanda
• Camp Steward
This Boy Scout camp has an abundance of upkeep and remodeling to be done!  If you have experience in park conservation, maintenance, or construction, or are interested in learning more, this is the place for you! All ages are encouraged to lend a hand.

• Park Monitor: We are looking for an experienced camper to walk around the campgrounds on Saturday and Sunday morning to look for any disturbances and check in on campers.  Volunteers may earn free nights of camping at Wokanda in exchange for their services.  Knowledge of camping and the area is helpful.

Forest Park Nature Center
• Education: These volunteers share knowledge about plants and animals native (and foreign!) to Peoria.  How do they help/harm the area? You can also help in environmental studies done at the Nature Center.

• Trail Monitors/Guides: Enjoy the beauty of the nature preserve while protecting it at the same time. Hike the trails, keep them clean, and be on the lookout for any regulation violations.

Peoria Wilds
• Ecological Restoration: On regular weekend or occasional weekday workdays, restoration volunteers work on brush cutting, seed collection and sowing, plant and butterfly monitoring, and research.  Restoration sites include Robinson Park, Singing Woods, Detweiller Park, Forest Park South, Springdale Savanna, W.H. Sommer Park, and Camp Wokanda.  For more information or a workday schedule, check out their website at www.peoriawilds.org.

Peoria Zoo
• Education Assistant: Share your excitement about the animals with children and visitors. Complete training is provided!

• Maintenance Assistant: Do you have experience in maintenance or building repair? Help keep the Zoo in tip-top shape through general building upkeep!

• BEEP (Behavioral Enrichment and Enhancement Program): Perfect for anyone curious about animal behavior.  Help develop and institute enrichment activities for the zoo animals, then collect data on their activities.

• Diet Cutter: Prepare animal diets for the zoo animals. Complete training will be provided.

• Assistant Zookeeper: Do you really want to be near animals?  Assist in cleaning of animal displays and feeding of animals.  Must be willing to “get dirty”!

• Groundskeeping: Do you like caring for flowers, plants and grass? Zoo animals and guests will love you for this important work!

Logan Center
• Community Liaison: Get the word out for Logan’s events and programs. Please contact Terri Cannon at 676-8179 for more info.

• Cub Scout Pack Leader: Whether you are a former scout, or just interested in making a difference in Peoria youth, this is a special opportunity to consider at Logan Recreation Center!  Everything in Cub Scouting is designed to have the boys doing things. Activities are used to achieve the aims of Scouting—citizenship training, character development, and personal fitness. Full training is provided.  Must be 21 or older.

Peoria Players Theatre
• Community Children’s Theatre: Do you have experience in the performing arts? CCT puts on multiple performances each year, and could use your experience at practices and backstage at performances. If you’re interested in making costumes, or designing sets, this is the place for you!

Luthy Botanical Garden
• Gift Shop Attendants: Do you enjoy meeting people and hanging around plants? These positions offer a great opportunity for both!

• Gardening: Do you like caring for flowers, plants and grass? If you’re available weekday mornings and don’t mind getting a little dirt under your fingernails, this is the spot for you!

RiverPlex
• Housekeeping: This is a unique chance to work behind-the-scenes, enabling many visitors around Illinois and the nation to recreate and enjoy Peoria.

Sommer Park
• Catalogue Antique Tools, Horse Drivers, Maintenance Work, Woodworking:  If you have ever been to Sommer Park, you’ll know why it often becomes a life-long favorite for Peorians.  Here, many distinctive elements blend to offer a unique experience of recreation, nature, history and family interaction.  You have the special chance to experience the enchantment of Sommer Park through these volunteer opportunities.

Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association (HISRA)
• Ongoing Program Assistants: Help participants with special needs and disabilities participate in weekly or one-time events. Dates and times vary. You may volunteer for any number of days and/or hours.

• Special Olympics Golf
W: 5/21-9/3; 5:00pm- 6:00pm
Did you know you can volunteer on the greens?  If golf is your game, please consider giving some of your time to help others at the Golf Learning Center and Kellogg Golf Course. Golf experience preferred. Schedule is flexible.

• Special Olympics Bowling
M: 6/23-8/18; 5:00pm- 6:30pm
Strike up some fun this summer with bowling at Landmark Lanes! Help participants better their game for a better chance at advancing to Regionals. Schedule is flexible.

• Special Olympics Softball
Tu, Th: 5/13-7/31; 5:00pm- 6:00pm
Share your skill and talent while promoting teamwork and sportsmanship!  Practices will be held at Glen Oak Park. Some softball experience preferred. Schedule is flexible.