BLOOMINGTON— As the summer season gets underway, the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department and the Bloomington Volunteer Network are calling on community members to give back. Highlighting Winston Churchill’s famous philosophy—”You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give” city officials have opened volunteer registration for four signature summer events geared toward local youth and families.
From directing interactive outdoor escape rooms to assisting young entrepreneurs at the farmers’ market, a diverse array of opportunities is available for residents looking to connect with their community.
Touch a Truck (Wednesday, June 3)
Bloomington’s most popular heavy-machinery showcase returns to start the summer massively. The event allows children ages 1 to 10 to get up close and personal with fire trucks, utility vehicles, semis, boats, cement mixers, and school buses. Kids can explore the cabs, meet the operators, and test out the lights and sirens.
- When: Wednesday, June 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Rain date: Thursday, June 4).
- Special Note: The first hour (10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.) will be entirely sensory-friendly, operating with no flashing lights or loud sirens.
- Where: Winslow Sports Complex (2801 S. Highland Ave.)
- Admission: $1 per person.
- Volunteer Role: Assisting with vehicle layout navigation, gate admission, and family activities.
Escape the Enchanted Forest (June 5–6 & June 12–13)
The city is partnering with Get Out: Bloomington to build a sprawling, outdoor, fantasy-themed escape room. Teams of three to six players will step into a mythical realm to solve puzzles, translate ancient runes, and conquer physical challenges to escape the woods.
- When: Fridays (June 5 and 12) from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Saturdays (June 6 and 13) with varying afternoon time slots.
- Where: RCA Community Park (1400 W. RCA Park Dr.)
- Volunteer Requirements: Open to ages 16 and older. Volunteers will assist with group check-ins, guide adventurers through the puzzles, and reset the fantasy props and clues between team runs. On-site training is provided.
Nature Play Day (Saturday, June 6)
Part of a highly anticipated statewide initiative sponsored by the Indiana Children and Nature Network, Nature Play Days are designed to encourage families to ditch electronic screens and explore the outdoors together through unstructured, creative play.
- When: Saturday, June 6, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Where: Lower Cascades Park (2851 N. Old State Road 37), centered around the Waterfall Shelter.
- Event Features: Free hands-on activities, creek exploration, mini-hikes, and outdoor scavenger hunts.
- Volunteer Role: Naturalist assistance, managing activity stations, and ensuring safety along the trail and waterfall boardwalk.
Youth Day at the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market (Saturday, June 20)
This specialized market event celebrates the creativity, craft, and entrepreneurial spirit of Bloomington’s younger generation. Youth artists, growers, and makers ages 6 to 17 can reserve their own commercial booth spaces to sell handcrafted items right alongside the market’s regular regional vendors.
- When: Saturday, June 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Where: Showers Common / City Hall Plaza (401 N. Morton St.)
- Volunteer Shifts: Early morning setup (7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.) and afternoon teardown/cleanup (12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.).
- Volunteer Duties: Helping young vendors load in supplies, setting up event decorations, facilitating the market layout, and taking down tents. Open to volunteers ages 16 and up.
Safety & Compliance Guidelines for Volunteers
For events requiring volunteers under the age of 18, a signed Parental Waiver of Liability must be submitted prior to the shift. Additionally, the Bloomington Volunteer Network notes that individuals intending to use these specific hours to fulfill Pre-Trial Diversion community service requirements must submit a specialized background check form and obtain explicit coordinator approval before arriving at the venue.
Residents interested in viewing shift schedules, registering for a specific slot, or exploring other community service roles can access the full city directory online at the Bloomington Volunteer Network website.
