Volunteer Opportunities
Blue Jay Point County Park has multiple opportunities for volunteers interested in gaining Community Service credit, completing Scout requirements, learning more about Environmental Education or simply being good stewards. Volunteers include individuals, groups, students and families, each working in a variety of settings according to their preferences and skills. People of all ages and backgrounds volunteer at Blue Jay each year. Last year, 519 volunteers spent almost 1,200 hours helping us provide high quality programming in a safe, inviting atmosphere.
Volunteer opportunities can be scheduled for a single visit or spread over a series of visits. Please contact the Blue Jay Center for Environmental Education at 919-870-4330 to register as a volunteer for special events or to inquire about scheduling volunteer opportunities for you or your group.
Are you interested in Volunteer Opportunities for:
Groups
Groups who volunteer at Blue Jay include school groups, environmental clubs and organizations, Scout groups, special interest groups and families. Many choose to take part in our annual special events held on Saturdays during various parts of the year (see Songbird Celebration, Winter Open House and NC Big Sweep). Other groups choose to come in a series of visits to work on various projects each month. For a one-time opportunity that is not a special event, many groups choose to borrow our "Big Sweep" discovery box and help pick up litter around Falls Lake. To register for a special event, schedule visits or reserve the "Big Sweep" discovery box, contact the Blue Jay Center for Environmental Education at 919-870-4330 or e-mail us.
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Individuals
Individuals who volunteer at Blue Jay include students, Scouts, environmental educators, and stewards of Wake County's natural resources. Opportunities include special events, which are held on Saturdays during various parts of the year (see Winter Open House, Songbird Celebration, and NC Big Sweep). Some choose to schedule their own unique volunteer opportunity. We always welcome new ideas, and individual volunteers may offer their own special skills that would enhance Blue Jay Point County Park's facilities or programming. To register for a special event, schedule visits or reserve the "Big Sweep" discovery box, contact the Blue Jay Center for Environmental Education at 919-870-4330 or e-mail us.
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Eagle Scouts
Over the years many Eagle Scout candidates have chosen to complete their Eagle Award Project at Blue Jay Point County Park. Occasionally the park staff has specific projects that would satisfy the requirements. Scouts are encouraged to submit their own ideas. To find out more information regarding Eagle Scout opportunities, please contact Ben Wittenberg at 919-870-4329, or by e-mail.
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Winter Open House
Come out and help as the Blue Jay Center for Environmental Education opens its doors and celebrates another great year of programming. The Winter Open House is held the first Saturday of February each year. Next year it will be Saturday, February 6, 2010. Volunteers are needed between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Opportunities include: craft booths, interactive displays, and/or helping with educational activities and presentations. The Winter Open House welcomes individual, group or family volunteers. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the Blue Jay Center for Environmental Education at 919-870-4330 or e-mail us.
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Songbird Celebration
Every year Blue Jay Point County Park seeks volunteers to help at our annual festival celebrating International Migratory Bird Day and the return of our feathered friends. Next year's Songbird Celebration will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2010. Volunteer shifts are 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and noon to 3 p.m., or you can stay all day! Opportunities include: running game booths and craft tables. Songbird Celebration is a great opportunity for individual, group, family and parent-child team volunteers. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the Blue Jay Center for Environmental Education at 919-870-4330 or e-mail us.
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NC Big Sweep
North Carolina Big Sweep is a statewide volunteer event focused on cleaning up North Carolina's waterways. Blue Jay Point County Park is a designated NC Big Sweep site. Volunteers report to the Blue Jay Center where they will receive supplies, data cards, information and maps to shoreline locations for litter removal. Big Sweep is appropriate for families, groups or individuals; however, it is composed of litter removal on rocky shorelines in what may be hot and/or humid conditions. Age and health should be considered when volunteering for this event. In North Carolina, Big Sweep is held on the first Saturday in October. This year, Big Sweep will be October 3, 2009, from 9 a.m.-noon. For more information, or to sign up to volunteer, please contact the Blue Jay Center for Environmental Education at 919-870-4330 or e-mail us. For more information, you can also visit the official NC Big Sweep website.