Volunteer Opportunities

The Rathbun Project continually works with groups and individuals that donate their efforts at the lake facilities.The Corps of Engineers encourages everyone to take pride in the Nation’s natural and cultural resources. You can volunteer to do work which would not otherwise be done without your help and perform a valuable service to the Corps of Engineers and the general public.

Two years ago, Rathbun Lake began a Park Maintenance Volunteer program. Volunteers perform light park maintenance work in exchange for an electric campsite. In 2006, over $20,000 in volunteer labor was performed in Corps of Engineers parks around Rathbun Lake. Interested volunteers should contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 641-647-2464 X3114 or e-mail at Volunteer Coordinator.

Some projects completed in the past have been landscaping the Corps of Engineers office entrance by a local Boy Scout troop. Other projects have consisted of checking blue bird boxes located around Rathbun Lake by the local bird club, and bat box construction by a local girl scout troop.

The jobs range from small one-day projects to long-term projects, which require special skills. The park manager will review your interests

and skills and try to match you with a job that fits your time requirements.

The reasons for volunteering are as numerous as the volunteers, and their rewards take many forms. People of all ages enjoy being out of doors and working with the professional ranger staff. But most of all people volunteer because they enjoy doing work without monetary compensation for the benefit of others.

The Rathbun Lake Corps of Engineers does offer free camping to volunteers who donate their efforts under prior approval of the Project Manager. This would entitle the volunteer a possibility of free camping at Rathbun Corps of Engineers campgrounds.

Corps of Engineer Volunteer Clearinghouse