Fun and rewarding educational volunteer opportunities

March 28, 2023| Education, People

By: Donna Macalle Holly

Spring is in the air, and we are excited that our environmental field trips are only weeks away! More than 1,600 students are registered to participate in our field trip program, which will be held at Hopatcong State Park in May and June.

The Lake Hopatcong Foundation field trip program is a four-hour introduction to lake ecology and the importance of our precious water resources for primarily fourth- and fifth-graders. The student's time at Lake Hopatcong includes macroinvertebrate sampling in the Musconetcong River, a discovery hike along trails in the park, learning about non-point source pollution using an interactive watershed model, and water quality sampling and lessons aboard the Lake Hopatcong Foundation Floating Classroom. 

With so many activities throughout the day, volunteers are an essential part of bringing our educational field trips to life. There 240 volunteer opportunities available over the 16 days the field trips are offered and you can sign up for any or all days you are available by clicking here. The sign-up page is organized by trip date and then by volunteer activities available for each of those dates. No experience is necessary to sign up. Each volunteer opportunity has a brief description on the form and training is available for all new volunteers. 

Volunteer Signup

Our field trip program thrives and grows because of our dedicated educators and volunteers. Here’s what they have to say about their experience. 

“Thank you for letting me be a part of such a worthwhile and satisfying program. It’s so much fun working with the students, my fellow volunteers, and the LHF staff and captains.” - Larry Orlans, LHF Floating Classroom First Mate

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful Education Team. As I always say, it gives me my ‘teacher fix.’ I love working with the children and giving them the hands-on experience of seeing how ‘People Polluters’ can become ‘People Protectors’ of our watersheds and bodies of water, especially Lake Hopatcong. It is always wonderful working with such great people. As I say during our Enviroscape presentation, we are all in this together to protect and preserve Lake Hopatcong for the generations to come.” - Gay Bucci, LHF Educator

“You run an amazing program. I am so impressed with it. The lessons are interesting and so relevant. I learned along with the students. The field trips are managed very professionally, starting on time, with thorough instructions beforehand, during, and after the sessions. The group of volunteers is very welcoming, friendly, and competent. I’m so glad my friend Beth recruited me. I enjoyed it so much, I volunteered again. Thank you!”  - Elise Morrison, LHF Education Volunteer

So, get outside this spring, have some fun, give back to your community, and help us shape the next generation of decision-makers and advocates.  Sign up to volunteer today! 

Please don't hesitate to contact us at info@lakehopatcongfoundation.org if you have any questions.