Olney Days Party in the Park is an annual event that celebrates Olney by bringing together residents and businesses. Party in the Park is one of several Olney Days events and last year 8,000 people attended. As a student volunteer, you will rotate through different jobs:
Assist with the Giant Slingshot - selling tickets, collecting tickets, directing participants to a slingshot, collecting balls
Count people entering the event
Assist people crossing one of the roads within Olney Manor Park (safety vest provided - very much like 5th grade school patrols)
Move chairs or other equipment as needed
Assist at an inflatable obstacle course to control number of people entering
Students will be given an Olney Days Volunteer t-shirt to wear.
THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM OLNEY DAYS PARTY IN THE PARK FIRE DEPARTMENT SUPPORT
Students may have a phone with them but they may not be on their phone during their shift unless it is an emergency. If a student is distracted by their phone, they will be asked to leave and will not complete their shift.
If students choose to work back to back shifts (so working 2:00 - 8:30), they may request a short (15-20 minute) break. Snacks for volunteers will be available at the Information tent (water, cereal bars). If the student prefers to purchase their own food, there are 15 food trucks at the event.
The skills students will develop include fire safety, following directions, interacting with the community, encouraging people who are using the slingshot, and working in a busy area while staying focused on the task.
Where is Olney Days Party in the Park?
Olney Manor Park: 16601 Georgia Ave or on Waze/Google Maps look up Olney Swim Center.
Where can I get dropped off?
Students can be dropped off near the front of the swim center. ENTER ON EMORY LANE FROM GEORGIA AVE. Starting at 12:30, ALL parking inside Olney Manor Park costs $15 but your driver may enter the park and drop off a volunteer without paying. Once you are dropped off, your driver will be directed to leave the park.
Where do I check in?
Check in is at the bleachers behind home plate of Ballfield 1 (largest field that you can see from Georgia Ave and where the Giant Slingshot is located). Click here for a map and check in is noted with a red V. If a parent wants to walk a student to the Volunteer Check in area, then they will need to park as no cars are allowed in the event area. Click here to see all your options.
ALL Volunteers must check in. At check in you will get a volunteer t-shirt, a name tag, and your assignment.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO BRING THE SSL FORM. We will have them with our information already printed on them. If you don't want to keep the t-shirt after your shift, there will be a box to return them.
How can I be picked up after my shift?
Getting picked up is trickier than being dropped off because there is no place for drivers in their cars to wait for you. They may enter the park to pick you up AFTER you have checked out and you are there waiting for them near the swim center. If your driver needs to wait for you, they will be told to leave and come back when you are ready to be picked up. There is NO space for cars to wait.
Another alternative is for your driver to park and come meet you in person (you can choose the location). The ICC lot or Harvest Intercontinental Church across Batchellor's Forest Rd from the park is an easy location to park and both have a free shuttle which drops off near the front of the swim center. After the student checks out, the two of you can take the shuttle back to your car together. This way there is no issues with the traffic inside the park.
Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian and must be completed outside of school hours. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns.
