There are many ways you can volunteer at Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP). The park’s volunteers are appreciated and valued–you can make a difference at MTRP!
Visitor and Interpretive Center
Working at the Visitor Center front desk, these volunteers welcome guests to the park, answer questions about the trails, activities, programs, work in the Gift Shop, and start presentations in the theater. During the week, they assist Park Rangers and MTRP Foundation staff in welcoming school groups to the park. Visitor Center volunteers work half-day shifts, from 8:45AM-1PM, or 1-5:15PM. Gift Shop shifts are also available, from 10AM-2PM. If interested in volunteering with MTRP Foundation at the Visitor Center, please complete the online Visitor Center Volunteer Application. Questions? Please contact the MTRP Foundation at mtrp@mtrp.org or 619-668-3280.
Trail Guides
Lead interpretive walks in the park, staff Discovery Tables, and participate in outreach programs. The annual, extensive Trail Guide training takes place at the beginning of each calendar year. For more information, please contact Ranger Chris Axtmann at 619-668-2746 or send email to CAxtmann@sandiego.gov.
Volunteer Work Crews
Do you enjoy the many wonders of Mission Trails? Well, then how about pitching in sometime to help keep it the wonderful place that it is. You can get your exercise for the day, while helping to make a difference at the same time.
Habitat Restoration Crew
Second Saturday of the month
Assist Ranger Heidi Gutknecht with non-native plant eradication, habitat protection and revegetation projects on the second Saturday of each month. For more information and to RSVP, please send email to HGutknecht@sandiego.gov or call 619-668-3279.
Kumeyaay Lake Campground Crew
Third Saturday of the month
Have you ever camped at the Kumeyaay Lake Campground? Would you like to help improve it by volunteering? Assist Ranger Steven Blankenship with a variety of projects in and around the Kumeyaay Lake Campground. For more information and to RSVP, please send an email to SBlankenship@sandiego.gov. email meets in the Day Use Lot.
Park Beautification Crew
Fourth Saturday of the month
Help beautify the park with Ranger Julie Aeilts on the fourth Saturday of each month. For more information and to RSVP, please send email to JAeilts@sandiego.gov or call 619-668-2015.
Trail Maintenance Crew (On hold until November 2023)
Contact Ranger Daniel Kimpel at DKimpel@sandiego.gov.
All work crews meet at 8AM and work until 12 noon at the latest. Rain cancels the events, and no crews take place in July or August due to extreme heat. Volunteers should bring work gloves, a water bottle to refill, and a snack. Be sure to wear long pants, sun protection and sturdy, closed-toe shoes.
Trail Tykes Readers
Join us in helping to educate little explorers through our the MTRP Foundation’s Trail Tykes read-aloud program at the Visitor Center. The events take place the second and fourth Sunday and Monday of each month, and volunteers collaborate with MTRP Foundation staff to present the free program. For more information, contact Alissa Lustgarten, MTRP Foundation’s Lead Educator at alustgarten@mtrp.org
If you would like to schedule a group volunteer opportunity, please contact David Lee at DNLee@sandiego.gov. To learn more, and share the volunteer opportunities at Mission Trails with others, you can view and download this volunteer flyer.