Group Volunteer Experiences at Reiman Gardens, Ames IA

Duration

Group Volunteer Shifts are 2.5-3 hours.

• Spirits in the Gardens Set-up shifts to help us get hay bales and pumpkins placed throughout the gardens. This is a job that requires strength!
• Service Saturdays/Sundays are 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Rovers at Reiman are split into two shifts: 4:15 - 6:15 p.m. and 6:15 - 8:15 p.m. Volunteers are welcome to sign up for both shifts!
• Weekday Afternoons start between 3:00-4:30 p.m. and last 2.5-3 hours each. (Spring semester only)

Number of Volunteers

• Service Saturdays and Weekend Afternoons - 8-15 (contact the Manager of Volunteer Engagement to request a volunteer opportunity for a group larger than 15 or smaller than 8)
• Rovers at Reiman 3-6/shift, 2 shifts/night

Group Volunteer Opportunities

Sign up your club, employee service day, or group up to volunteer together at Reiman Gardens! Reiman Gardens requires the continued support of the ISU and Story County communities to keep our gardens fresh, our animals safe, and our events exciting.

Spirits in the Gardens Set-up Help staff move hay bales and pumpkins into place the week of Spirits in the Gardens. This job requires some strength and stamina. Each hay bale and pumpkin on its own aren't too heavy, but there will be a lot of them!

Outdoor Gardening During our warmer months (generally April-October), groups will help our outdoor horticulturists with various gardening needs, such as planting bulbs, weeding, transplanting, watering, or installing new displays. Weather alternative: If weather is extreme, we will pivot to an indoor opportunity.

Pot-Washing In our colder months (generally November-March), groups of 8-12 will help us wash pots in our Head House. Pot-washing allows Reiman Gardens to sustainably reuse plastic pots for future plants while keeping garbage out of landfills. For groups larger than 12, the Manager of Volunteer Engagement will either have the whole group work on a different job or split the group between pot-washing and a second activity.

Events Materials Prep Project includes helping staff prepare materials for upcoming events. Most of the time, this is the year-long task of cutting out stencils to be used in October for carving pumpkins. Other examples include creating display materials for garden spaces (e.g., fairy doors, outdoor decorations, etc.)

Rovers at Reiman Tuesdays in September and April and "Howl-o-ween" (October 21), guests can bring their dogs for leashed-walks at Reiman Gardens. Volunteers greet guests, hand out colored ribbons and treats, and provide waste bags and on-site service.

Notes

• Register for your volunteer date at least 2 weeks prior to event.
• Contact Manager of Volunteer Engagement with questions or requests for custom group volunteer opportunities not listed here.

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