Volunteer
1, 2, 3 Volunteer!
1- Fill out a Volunteer Request form
2 - Return the Volunteer Service Agreement
3 - Connect with a Program Coordinator & get started!
Why We Need Volunteers
The Friends has a number of volunteer opportunities available so anyone can help! Our volunteers help to maintain the nearly 53 miles of trails, 35 miles of beach, two rivers and the lakes within the Park. They provide safety and trail information, lead accessibility efforts in the Park, and manage many other supportive programs. The Friends also has many roles facilitating educational programs or administrative duties for the organization that aren’t physical in nature such as grant writing, finance committee members, fundraising and communications.
Friends’ volunteers are able to meet others who love the Lakeshore. By volunteering with the Friends, you can support the Park while having fun and building life-long friendships.
Why I Volunteer
“My volunteer work with the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes stems from a simple thought: to protect and share the breathtaking beauty of this place. By contributing my time and energy, I help turn this vision of preservation and appreciation into a reality for everyone to experience and enjoy.”
-FOSBD Volunteer
Volunteer Role Descriptions
Accessibilty
Enjoy showing visitors of all abilities the beaches and trails with the aid of the Track Chair and Wheelchair bike.
Location: Platte River Campground, Bayview Trail, Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail
Time Commitment: 3 hr +
Duties: Hike along with track chair users or ride wheelchair bike with visitor on the front
Physical Requirements: Must be able to hike or ride for a 2+ miles
Ideal for: Active volunteers who enjoy meaningful one-on-one experiences in nature and want to help make the park accessible to everyone. Great for people who love hiking or biking, are comfortable being outdoors for a few hours, and want to support inclusive recreation in a hands-on way.
Adopt a Beach
Be a part of the last line of defense to prevent debris from causing harm to our lakes, to wildlife, and to beach-goers. Volunteers clean up litter, protect marine life and shore birds, and collect data for the park service.
Location: Beaches throughout the Lakeshore
Time Commitment: 1 hr +
Duties: Collecting litter, speaking with visitors
Physical Requirements: Should be able to be on walk on the uneven shoreline for an hour
Ideal for: Anyone that enjoys the beach
Adopt a Highway
Join a program that maintains a section of M-109 from Glen Haven to just south of the Dune Climb, keeping it free of litter for both park visitors and local wildlife.
Location: M-109 between the Dune Climb and Glen Haven
Time Commitment: 1 hr +
Duties: Collecting litter
Physical Requirements: Walk for one hour
Ideal for: Individuals or small groups who enjoy quick, high-impact service projects that help protect both wildlife and the visitor experience.
Adopt a River
This is a great opportunity for individuals, families, or small groups who are comfortable in a kayak or canoe and are passionate about protecting wildlife and keeping our waterways clean and beautiful.
Location: Platte River & Crystal River
Time Commitment: 1 hr +
Duties: Remove litter from the river
Physical Requirements: Able to kayak/canoe and reach over the edge with a litter grab to remove litter
Ideal for: Paddlers of all levels and ages who love spending time on the water and want to give back to the rivers they enjoy.
Adopt a Trail
One of our most popular programs, this one is for everyone who enjoys hiking on the Park’s trails.
Location: Any marked trail in the Park
Time Commitment: 1 hr +
Duties: Collecting litter, speaking with visitors and reporting any hazards to NPS
Physical Requirements: Able to be hike for an hour
Ideal for: Hikers, trail runners, snowshoers, and outdoor lovers who want to combine their time on the trail with giving back.
PSAR
Friendly, outgoing individuals who enjoy chatting with visitors and sharing their knowledge of the park. PSAR’s goal is to educate visitors about the often unexpected difficulty of the hike from the Dune Climb to Lake Michigan, and the bluff at Pierce Stocking #9 (Lake Michigan Overlook)
Location: Dune Climb, Pierce Stocking Drive
Time Commitment: 1 hr +
Duties: Talking with visitors
Physical Requirements: Standing for 1 to 2 hours in the sun
Ideal for: Great for anyone who enjoys being outdoors, can stand for a stretch of time, and wants to make a big impact through conversation and education.
Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail Ambassador
Spend a lot of time on the Heritage Trail? Don an orange vest join other volunteers that answer trail user questions and provide directions or other help.
Location: Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail
Time Commitment: 1 hr +
Duties: Model good trail etiquette, report any trail maintenance issues to the Trail Crew, interact with visitors
Physical Requirements: Able to use the trail in any way for an hour (walk, run, ride, ski, roll)
Ideal for: Perfect for those who enjoy connecting with others and helping everyone have a safe, positive trail experience.
Trail Crew
Get out your work gloves and help clean up fallen trees, clear the heritage trail of leaves, and other issues that are reported on the parks trails.
Location: Trails and Heritage Trail
Time Commitment: 1 hr +
Duties: Clearing fallen debris, winter trail grooming
Physical Requirements: Able to be lift and move branches, hike to reported issues
Ideal for: Hands-on helpers who don’t mind getting a little dirty for a great cause. Perfect for those who enjoy physical activity, working outdoors, and tackling tangible tasks that keep the park’s trails safe and accessible.
Yoga on the Beach
Once a week in the summer, Yoga on the Beach meets and needs a few volunteers to check visitors in, help set up and tear down.
Location: Beach at Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Maritime Museum
Time Commitment: 1.5 hr +
Duties:
Physical Requirements: Standing for 1 to 2 hours in the sun
Ideal for: This is a great fit for those who love yoga, the outdoors, and lending a hand with light setup and welcoming participants.