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Canoe/Kayak Volunteer
Anita C. Leight Estuary Center
Otter Point Creek
Job Description
Canoe/Kayak Volunteers assist Naturalists on canoe/kayak trips for schools and
the general public. Trips occur on weekends, weekdays, and evenings.
Canoe/Kayak Volunteers are vital to the Estuary Center programs.
Volunteer Commitment
Canoe/Kayak Volunteers are asked to commit to specific trip dates as they become
available. Seasonal trip schedules are sent to volunteers about one month
prior to the first trip. The season is from late March through mid November;
however, volunteers are not required to assist with a specific number of trips per year.
A schedule is created seasonally so volunteers have the opportunity to work around their
own schedule. Additional trips may become available on short notice and will also be
offered to volunteers.
Minimum Qualifications
Canoe/Kayak Volunteers must have the following qualifications.
- strong canoe/kayak skills
- fit and able-bodied to handle walking distances while carrying boats, towing a
boat with yours, lifting them over your head, boating in adverse conditions, etc.
- strong interpersonal skills to interact positively with the public
- ability to follow direction
- at least 5 years of prior canoe/kayak experience
- ability to properly tie knots to hold canoes/kayaks or willing to learn
- completion of a course by the American Canoe Assoc., the American Red Cross or similar organization
Sample Tasks
- arrive early to assist in taking canoes/kayaks out of shed and preparing for trip
- stay late to assist in putting canoes/kayaks and equipment away
- help participants with fitting their lifejackets
- tie and untie canoes/kayaks
- unload and load canoes/kayaks on trailer and carry them to put-in spot (includes lifting canoes/kayaks over head onto top rack of trailer)
- assists with launching canoes/kayaks
- the volunteer is the sweep, meaning they are always the last canoe/kayak and remain in this
position for the duration of the trip
- in a positive and polite fashion, volunteer should assist participants with learning
strokes and techniques
- during the trip, the volunteer should be on the lookout for any participants in
trouble and assist when needed - this may involve switching participants from one boat to another in open water,
towing a boat with yours, etc.
Training & Benefits
Volunteers will already have all the skills necessary (see Minimum
Qualifications section above), but will receive specific training on our
trip logistics and equipment. There are many benefits to becoming an *"active
volunteer” at the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center, including seasonal volunteer
appreciation trips, the annual volunteer dinner, skill and resume development,
meeting new people, and lets not forget, spending time in a natural place (to
mention just a few). *Please note: “Active volunteer” status is reached when
you volunteer at least 10 times a year.
How to Become a Volunteer
First, fill out a volunteer interest form and return it to the Anita C. Leight
Estuary Center located at 700 Otter Point Road, Abingdon, MD 21009 or by fax at
410-612-1690. Second, contact Shanna Jay, Park Manager, at 410-612-1688 or e-mail aclec@harfordcountymd.gov to
schedule an interview. The interview is designed
to help determine which volunteer opportunities will best suit both your needs
and the current openings at the Estuary Center. Please remember the needs of our
volunteer programs change so we may not always have openings in all program areas.
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