Opportunities From: Delaware State Parks

Help keep our beaches beautiful by participating in a self-led litter pick-up! Whether you're a regular visitor or a first-time volunteer, your efforts help protect local wildlife, improve public spaces, and promote environmental stewardship.

Please note:
This is not a scheduled or staff-led event. This opportunity simply allows you to log your volunteer hours after completing a beach or litter clean-up on your own time.

Before you begin, please review these helpful guidelines:

Do:

Choose a day for your cleanup so park staff can prepare a volunteer pass.

Bring your own gloves and trash bags.

Wear closed-toe shoes and dress for the weather.

Use caution when picking up sharp objects, use a tool or leave them in place and notify park staff.

Dispose of collected trash properly at Campground dumpsters.

Stay hydrated and take breaks as needed.

Log your hours and submit a quick summary of your clean-up through the Galaxy platform.

Don’t:

Throw away natural materials (ex: horseshoe crab shells, driftwood).

Pick up hazardous waste (needles, chemicals, etc.), alert park staff if found.

Approach wildlife or disturb natural habitats.

Venture into restricted areas or private property.

Leave filled trash bags unattended, secure them in proper receptacles.

Work alone in remote areas, stick to well-traveled sections of the park or beach.

Thank you for being a part of our stewardship efforts! Your time and care make a real difference for the park, the community, and our wildlife. 

Help Keep Cape Henlopen Clean!

Join fellow volunteers every other Thursday in making a difference at Cape Henlopen State Park! We’ll be removing litter and debris from walkways to create a safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable space for thousands of park visitors. Your time and effort truly make a difference!

What to Expect:
We provide all necessary supplies, including gloves, litter grabbers, and buckets. Cleanups take place across a variety of surfaces including paved paths and sand. Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes.

Accessibility:
All are welcome! These litter pickups are open to individuals using wheelchairs or mobility aids. If you require accommodations, feel free to let us know in advance.

Meeting Location:
Main Beach parking lot near the bathhouse, Cape Henlopen State Park

Google Maps Link
Directions: After entering the park, follow signs for “Main Beach.” Park near the bathhouse and look for a state vehicle and park staff member to assist with check-in.

Park Entry:
A parking pass will be provided by volunteer staff before the day of the cleanup. Let the fee booth attendant know you're attending a volunteer project and show your parking pass if needed.

Weather Policy:
This event will be canceled in the event of inclement weather. Please check your email (and spam folder) prior to leaving for any updates.

Additional Notes:

Parental supervision is required for all volunteers under 18.

Leashed, well-behaved pets are welcome at this event only.

Thank you for giving back to your park! We appreciate your help!

Volunteers are sought to provide a safe and secure experience at Cape Henlopen State Park.

 

Park Watch volunteers deal with minor infractions of park rules and regulations, report potential safety and security concerns, and assist the park staff in operation of the park.  Volunteers are given basic training in  public relations, and visitor services. Park Watch volunteers are citizens who typically spend a significant amount of time in the park and simply wear a Park Watch shirt or vest when they come to the park to recreate themselves. 

 

Volunteer scheduling is very flexible; Park Watch volunteers can be found in the park from sun-up to sun-down and on any of the various trails associated with Cape Henlopen including Wolfe Neck and the Junction and Breakwater Trail. This is a year-round volunteer opportunity.

 

Main duties are as follows:

Greet visitors and answer questions. Report safety and security concerns to Park Staff. Patrol the park and keep a watchful eye while biking, walking, running, bird watching, or fishing. Wear Park Watch Volunteer uniform to easily be recognized Be a point of contact to provide information and assistance to visitors walking, biking, or otherwise recreating at the park.

 

Volunteers will be trained in all duties beforehand and are required to attend a Park Watch Volunteer Orientation prior to starting.

For registered UD Master Naturalist participants only.

For info on this program: https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/canr/cooperative-extension/environmental-stewardship/master-naturalist/

NEXT STEP:

1. Review information below.

2. To be considered please click on RESPOND button and follow instructions.

   

 

Volunteer Service Activities for Delaware State Parks for your Master Naturalist Service: 

Available for year one candidates or continuing service.

Activities are as varied as your interests that mesh with the park’s needs and may include:

Install or maintain pollinator or rain gardens Engage in invasive plant removal, native plant installation or tree plantings Develop and implement projects to benefit certain plant or animal species such as orchids, birds, reptiles, bats Plan and lead educational or experiential public programming in coordination with Nature Centers and park interpretive programs such as wildflower or bird walks Participate in organizing multi-park projects such as Coastal Cleanup or Creekfest Conduct special projects such as research initiatives, water resource protection, or other projects that fit the park’s needs and your interests.

 

About Delaware State Parks:

Our state parks provide forest, meadow, wetland and seashore habitat for wildlife plus trails, beaches, ponds and recreational facilities for visitors to enjoy nature and the outdoors.

Our state parks mission is to provide Delaware's residents and visitors with safe and enjoyable recreational opportunities and open spaces, responsible stewardship of the lands and the cultural and natural resources that we have been entrusted to protect and manage, and resource-based interpretive and educational services. Master Naturalists are currently working to install pollinator gardens, to restore natural areas and to lead themed educational hikes for the public.  

Please join us and bring your interests and expertise to our state parks.

Do you love spending time outdoors and want to help protect your favorite trails? Join our Adopt-A-Trail program and make a meaningful impact in your community.

What is Adopt-A-Trail?
Adopt-A-Trail is a volunteer stewardship program that invites individuals, families, school groups, businesses, and community organizations to “adopt” a specific trail within our parks. By adopting a trail, your group agrees to help maintain it throughout the year by performing light maintenance, removing litter, identifying safety issues, and ensuring trails remain safe and accessible for all park users.

This is a flexible, low-commitment way to give back, get outside, and support the conservation of Delaware’s beautiful trail systems. 

Available Trails:

Gordons Pond Trail

Junction & Breakwater Trail 

How to Get Involved:

Click the corresponding RESPOND button and include the following details in the "Response Notes" section to apply

Preferred Trail

Age Range of Volunteers

Describe prior volunteer experience