I just want to retreat back to some of the messages on Page 1.
I've been part of the U.S. Department of Interior's Volunteers in Parks (VIP) program for several years now. I've been a full-timer for over a decade.
There was mention of a VIP Web site. A lot of folks don't know there are actually two Web sites very similar in name. The one I use and the one I used to get started as a VIP is
http://www.volunteer.gov/gov
The nice thing about this one is that you simply click on the state you're interested in and you get to see what's available. In fact, my first three-month tenure with the National Park Service came about because I filled out an application on-line and directed it to the volunteer coordinator where I wanted to serve. They called me, I went, and I've been doing it ever since.
In fact, the park where I'm volunteering right now treats me so well that by mutual agreement, I've pretty much stayed on as a "resident" volunteer. I've been here for nearly two years and there's still a lot of work to be done in my particular area of expertise.
Where else can I give four days a week of my time and wake up every morning to a family of deer and wild turkeys all witnessing a Texas Hill Country sunrise? I am blessed.