Volunteer opportunities

City opportunities

The City of St. Louis Park has volunteer opportunities available to help support our city departments, which allows us to better serve the community. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many volunteer programs and activities have been postponed or canceled. Visit www.stlouispark.org/volunteer for the most updated information on the status of volunteer programs and activities.

Hydrant Hero

There are roughly 1,700 fire hydrants in St. Louis Park, and although we have firefighters to remove snow around the hydrants after a snowfall, they can't always clean them all in a timely manner. This is where you can help. Volunteer to become a Hydrant Hero and keep the hydrants around your homes and businesses clear of snow in the winter and free of plant overgrowth in the summer.

Interested volunteers can adopt a hydrant at www.hydranthero.org. Choose a hydrant, click on the “Adopt me” link and fill out the registration form – you can even give your hydrant a name!

For questions, contact Assistant Chief Cary Smith at csmith@stlouispark.org or 952.924.2171.

Teen volunteer opportunities

JUNIOR NATURALIST

GRADES 7 – 12 (2021 – 2022 school year)

Junior naturalists enjoy working with kids, taking care of the nature center animals and helping with special events, public programs and behind-the-scenes projects. At this time, we are unable to accept new applications. If you would like to receive an email notice when applications are available, email Becky McConnell at bmcconnell@stlouispark.org and include your full name. We appreciate your interest in serving our community!

Teen volunteer opportunities SUMMER PLAYGROUND JUNIOR LEADER Grades 7 – 9 (2021 – 2022 school year)

Are you looking for a fun volunteer opportunity this summer? You’ll assist playground leaders with fun games, crafts and other activities through our Summer Playground Program in parks around the city. Contact Lisa Abernathy at labernathy@stlouispark.org if you are interested in being a junior leader this summer.

"Be there" Initiative

The feeling of isolation and loneliness is something that many aging residents face, and is linked to several health risks, both physically and mentally. COVID-19 can make these feelings worse for residents age 65 and older.

To enhance the community’s well-being, the City of St. Louis Park launched the “Be there” initiative. As part of the initiative, neighbors and community members in St. Louis Park are encouraged to reach out to neighbors age 65 and older to offer connection and/ or assistance. Offering social connection relieves feelings of isolation and enhances community connection.

Visit www.stlouispark.org to learn more about how you can participate.

Beautify St. Louis Park

Help beautify St. Louis Park by picking up litter and debris from a local park or street! This is a great activity for individuals and groups of all ages and can be done on your own time. Use your own bags and gloves, and volunteers can leave their bags in the trash cans located at each park. If bags are too large for trash cans, contact Kiah Selmer at kselmer@stlouispark.org. Volunteers are invited to post their pictures on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and tag the City of St. Louis Park (@stlouispark)!

Growing Vegetables in Containers: A How-To Guide

ADULTS Online Whether you are challenged by lack of garden space or want vegetables within an easy reach, most food plants can be grown in containers as easily as decorative plants. Learn about the benefits and best practices of growing vegetables and other food plants in containers instead of planting them in the ground. DAY DATE+TIMEs Activity#

Tu June 1, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. W973S21 FEE Sliding scale based on household income: $9, $15, $25

I am F.I.N.E

ADULTS Lenox Community Center, 6715 Minnetonka Blvd. or online Parenting adolescents is difficult. We often ask our young person, "How are you?" and get the typical response, "I am fine." However, based on tone, body language or instinct, we suspect otherwise. Hormones, peer relationships and pressures, busy schedules and school can create a vulnerability for teens to develop mental health and/or substance use difficulties. Parents find themselves desperate for guidance and support to help their loved one. This dynamic presentation will help you begin to identify when your adolescent is not fine and ways to intervene. DAY DATE+TIME Activity#

Th June 3, 6 – 7 p.m. FEE Free L338S21

Participants who attend Community Education classes in person will be asked to follow all guidelines. Guidelines may change as we follow Minnesota Department of Health recommendations to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 in our community. We appreciate your help in keeping our community healthy.

Shinrin Yoku – Forest Bathing

ADULTS Westwood Hills Nature Center, 8300 W. Franklin Ave. You will be guided on an immersive, meditative and therapeutic forest walk based on the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku. Slow down and connect your senses to the healing, stress-reducing beauty of green forested spaces. Please note: guidelines for physical distancing and face coverings will be followed. Wear hiking boots/shoes and clothing/gear appropriate for weather. Walk will be held in the rain, but not thunderstorms. Please arrive 15 minutes before start time. Late arrivals can’t be accommodated due to the immersive nature of the program. Please leave phones in car for duration of walk. DAY DATE+TIME Activity#

Sa June 5, 9 – 11 a.m. FEE $39 per person Y379S21C

Yoga for Life

ADULTS Oak Hill Park, 3222 Rhode Island Ave. S. You'll love doing yoga outside! This class will be held at Oak Hill Park in a shady, little used area away from other activities. We will meet in the Lenox Community Center gym in the event of bad weather. You'll receive directions after you register, and a link to seven recorded videos you can use on demand June 8 – Sept. 6 if you miss a class or for additional practice. Instructor: Wendy Anderson DAY DATEs+TIME Activity#

M June 14 – Aug. 23 4:30 – 5:50 p.m. FEE $85 per person (senior program member) / $115 (non-member)

Growing, Harvesting and Enjoying Herbs

ADULTS Online Take the mystery out of growing, harvesting and storing herbs. Learn how these easy to grow plants can be used in landscaping to add variety and attract pollinators, as well as in cooking, home decorating and more! DAY DATE+TIME Activity#

Th June 10, 6 – 7:15 p.m. W974S21 FEE Sliding scale based on household income: $9, $15, $25

Breads and Tortillas Cook-Along

ADULTS Online Having a hard time finding a decent loaf of bread? Learn to make your own breads and tortillas at home! Begin with a versatile challah recipe. While the dough rises, make the fillings or spreads and prepare some handmade tortillas. You will receive a shopping list and pre-class prep instructions before the class begins, so you are ready to cook along! DAY DATE+TIME Activity#

M June 14, 6 – 8 p.m. FEE $35 per person W708S21

Kyudo Japanese Longbow Archery

ADULTS Central Community Center, 6300 Walker St. Influenced by Japan’s samurai warriors, Imperial Court, Shinto and Buddhist traditions, Kyudo is practiced as a means to self-improvement through noncompetitive, introspective archery that allows practitioners to gain personal insight. *A material fee of $25 for your own practice bow is payable to instructor and $35 for annual membership in the Minnesota Kyudo Renmei Association. Loaner equipment provided for most adults. DAY DATEs+TIMEs Activity#

Guided Imagery Meditation

ADULTS Lenox Community Center, 6715 Minnetonka Blvd. Reduce anxiety and increase wellness in mind and body through meditation. Allow music and guidance from the instructor, Elizabeth Keith, to create a safe, supportive space for relaxation, clarity and healing. A good form for beginners. DAY DATES+TIME Activity#

Tu June 15 – Aug. 10, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. L425S21

FEE $70 per person (senior program member) / $80 (non-member)

Sewing Machine Clinic 102: Intro to Sewing Patterns

ADULTS Online We will cover basic maintenance and cleaning techniques for your sewing machine, how to choose the perfect pattern for you and the basics of completing a successful sewing project. Before class begins, please make sure that you have a sewing machine in good working order, two bobbins, two sewing machine needles, the power cord and foot pedal for your machine, thread, a seam ripper, pins, fabric shears or a rotary cutter and mat, and the manual for your machine. If you don’t have a manual, we may be able to find a downloadable version online. DAY DATEs+TIME Activity#

W June 16 – July 14, 6 – 8 p.m. W934S21B FEE $59 per person Sa June 19 – Aug. 14, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. June 19 – Aug. 14, 1 – 2 p.m. FEE $40 per person M100S21B Returning Students M100S21B New Students

Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement

ADULTS Online Move better, feel better! Everything we do in life involves sensation and movement, and the Feldenkrais Method® harnesses both, using your brain to create change. Exploratory movement and guided attention evoke new, more efficient neuro-muscular patterns, reducing pain, tension and fatigue, and improving your coordination, flexibility, balance, strength and focus. During each class, you will be verbally guided through a sequence of movements which can improve every area of the body. DAY DATES+TIME Activity#

Th July 8 – Aug. 19, 5 – 6 p.m. W930S21C FEE $75 per person (senior program member) / $79 (non-member) ADULTS Online Examine the everyday policies and practices that produce racial disparities and uphold institutional systems of oppression in education. Participants will examine their relationships with white supremacy, discipline practices, tracking, culturally relevant pedagogy and more. This class is open to all educators looking to reflect on the ways they are complicit in maintaining the status quo. Four continuing education units (CEUs). DAY DATEs+TIME Activity#

Tu July 13 – Aug. 17, 4 – 5:30 p.m. W703S21 FEE $59 per person (senior program member) / $65 (non-member)

So You Want to Be Anti-Racist?

ADULTS Online Deepen your understanding of what it means to be anti-racist. Learn tools to engage in uncomfortable conversations, develop racial literacy and begin to unpack how race operates in everyday life often without consent and/or acknowledgement, all the while building the muscles to move into action! Four continuing education units (CEUs). DAY DATEs+TIME Activity#

Tu July 13 – Aug. 17, 7 – 8:30 p.m. W939S21B FEE $59 per person (senior program member) / $65 (non-member)

Sizzling Summer Skewers and Dips!

ADULTS Online Dazzle your family or guests with a mouthwatering meal that will have everyone asking for more! Tess will demonstrate an array of meat and veggie skewers, dips and hummus, and end with fruit skewers for dessert. You will receive recipes in PDF format. Note: One registration fee can include participants from the same household only. DAY DATE+TIME Activity#

W July 14, 5 – 6:30 p.m. FEE $39 per person

Alcohol Inks 3D Surfaces

ADULTS Lenox Community Center, 6715 Minnetonka Blvd. Use alcohol inks to create functional items! Practice on Yupo paper, then choose and design an item: 12-ounce coffee mug, 12-ounce tumbler, 20-ounce skinny tumbler or 4-inch succulent planter. All materials included. Add a second item for $10. DAY DATE+TIME Activity#

Th July 29, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. FEE $49 per person