Opportunities From: Delaware State Parks

Are you an avid rock climber? Do you have a passion for history? Come out to Fort Delaware and assist park staff in the removal of invasive plants and other vegetation growing along the front and back of historic Fort Delaware! It's not every day you get to scale a 170-year-old fort, so jump on the opportunity now!

Fort Delaware State Park is looking for experienced rock climbers or bouldering enthusiasts who would be willing to scale down the side of the fort and remove invasive vines. These vines can become damaging to the structure of the historic fort, and their removal will greatly benefit the longevity of this national treasure!

To access the vines, there is an overhang that climbers must traverse, making this a suggested Class 5 hard to difficult climb. It is suggested that only experienced rock climbers attempt the project. Climbers must bring their own equipment, as well.

Fort Delaware State Park welcomes work, school, and other groups interested in scheduling a service project for their teams, classes, etc. 

A group service project is a great way to provide your organization with an opportunity:

To give back to the community or to learn about the value of service.To promote team building or to learn about the value of service.To embrace a new challenge together or to step outside a comfort zone in a safe, fun, and social setting.To learn about Delaware State Parks operations and to see the impact of the group’s service.To take a break from the office, warehouse, classroom, etc., and enjoy the great outdoors.To accumulate service hours collectively.

The types of group service projects available are based on seasonal needs at Delaware State Park, progress of the parks’ improvement projects, and other factors. Service projects for school groups may prioritize educational value and are intended to be age-appropriate.

Types of seasonal group service projects may include: 

Control of invasive plants and vinesMaintenance of recreation sites (e.g., pavilion, grilling sites)Trail maintenance and careLitter cleanup

Coordinators for group service projects may RESPOND AS TEAM to this opportunity and ask about scheduling a date and time that is compatible with the group’s schedule. Coordinators are also welcome to RESPOND AS TEAM to a scheduled service project if there are enough available shifts. Note: The project site’s address may differ from the park’s address and will be provided during scheduling of a group service project.

Delaware State Parks is a Local Organizing Partner (LOP) of the Delaware Master Naturalist (DMN) Program.

Fort Delaware State Park is an LOP site.

Note: This opportunity is only for registrants in the DMN Program—a certification offered in partnership between the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension and Delaware Nature Society—or certified DMNs.

The DMN Program is a remarkable opportunity for professionals as well as enthusiasts to become a certified Delaware Master Naturalist.

From the website:

The Delaware Master Naturalist Program trains citizens as ambassadors and stewards of Delaware’s natural resources and ecosystems through science-based education and volunteer opportunities.

It requires registrants to complete 40 hours of service time with a Local Organizing Partner (LOP) to achieve certification as well as 40 hours annually afterward to maintain it.

Fort Delaware State Park welcomes first-year candidates as well as continuing-service participants. Service projects can be as varied as the volunteer’s interests that align with park priorities. The park may identify service projects that would satisfy the requirements of the certification. DMN candidates and continuing-service volunteers are also welcome to submit proposals for service projects to the park.

Fort Delaware State Park welcomes Girl Scouts who are pursuing a Gold Award and Boy Scouts who are pursuing the Eagle Rank!

Delaware State Parks appreciates the long history of Scouts’ service and is familiar with the processes to achieve such Scout honors. The park may identify potential service projects that would satisfy the requirements of a Girl Scout Gold Award or an Eagle Scout Service Project. Scouts are also welcome to submit proposals for service projects to the park.

Requirements:

Contact Fort Delaware State Park about your interest in completing a project in service of the park. A simple way to do that: Contact Delaware State Parks. In the form: Select "Fort Delaware State Park." Select "Volunteering or campground hosting." Provide your email address (required) and phone number (optional). Describe your interest in doing a project for the park and provide details about your project, including the deadline and/or anticipated completion date. Meet and/or discuss project proposals, plans, etc., with park personnel. Receive approval of your project, plans, amendments, revisions, etc., from the Superintendent. Complete the project by the required deadline.

Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts who enjoy visiting Fort Delaware State Park, are passionate about history and preservation, and/or are passionate about supporting Delaware State Parks’ mission are excellent candidates to complete a service project at the park for a Girl Scout Gold Award or the Boy Scout Eagle Rank!

Thank you for your interest in historical interpretation at Fort Delaware State Park!

This is a private opportunity for historical interpreters not associated with a special event at Fort Delaware to log their hours.

Please note - all historical interpreter volunteers must complete the following:

Have clearance through the Interpretive Programs Manager at Fort Delaware State ParkRegister with the Delaware State Parks Volunteer website (destateparks.galaxydigital.com)Submit a State of Delaware Background Check.

Volunteers conducting historical interpretation at Fort Delaware State Park will be able to partake in a variety of impressions including:

Union Garrison Confederate Prisoner Civilian 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Arden Locker at Arden.Locker@Delaware.gov or Jake Miller at Jacob.Miller@Delaware.gov or