Opportunities From: Tennessee State Parks

Private. Trail Cleaning with Amparo

Volunteer who is assisting in hospitality and maintenance functions in the campground and other park operations and facilitates the recreational experience of the state park visitors. Duties may include but are not limited to camper orientation, information dispersal, hanging site tags, cleaning out grills and fire rings, reporting inappropriate activities or potential maintenance hazards, park programming, painting signs, weed whacking, leaf blowing, etc. Host agrees to exercise hospitality towards campers and are visible representatives of the state park during their frequent interactions with the public. Host is required to volunteer for a minimum of 20 hours per week for no more than 9 consecutive months.

James Maurice Taft, known locally as “Judge Taft”, lived a life of service. Taft is remembered as being the “Father of Fall Creek Falls” in recognition of his efforts to set aside land for preservation and conservation in the form of a public park. He was also a dedicated educator, serving as a teacher for many years and as Van Buren County’s first Superintendent of Schools. Throughout his life, he steadfastly advocated for the protection of what is now Fall Creek Falls State Park, while also encouraging the local community on the importance of education. The Friends of Fall Creek Falls State Park are honored to offer this scholarship in memory of Judge Taft’s life and many accomplishments. This award is meant to help deserving students continue their pursuit of education and inspire them to look for ways to effect positive change within their local community.

Judge Taft Memorial Scholarship Presented by The Friends of Fall Creek Falls State Park James Maurice Taft, known locally as “Judge Taft”, lived a life of service. Taft is remembered as being the “Father of Fall Creek Falls” in recognition of his efforts to set aside land for preservation and conservation in the form of a public park. He was also a dedicated educator, serving as a teacher for many years and as Van Buren County’s first Superintendent of Schools. Throughout his life, he steadfastly advocated for the protection of what is now Fall Creek Falls State Park, while also encouraging the local community on the importance of education. The Friends of Fall Creek Falls State Park are honored to offer this scholarship in memory of Judge Taft’s life and many accomplishments. This award is meant to help deserving students continue their pursuit of education and inspire them to look for ways to effect positive change within their local community.  Requirements: Applicant must complete an 800-word essay that focuses on the impact that Fall Creek Falls State Park has made on them and/or within their community. Applicant must complete a minimum of 15 hours of volunteer work at Fall Creek Falls State Park between February 1st - May 1st of 2026. Applicant must have maintained a GPA of 3.5

       This is an ongoing opportunity for park volunteers and Friends Group members as individuals or in organized groups.  This opportunity will be used to record any trail maintenance not associated with clean-up efforts duties including but not limited to the following examples:

 Please contact the site supervisor to schedule your visit and allow a minimum of two weeks to process your request. Once you are scheduled, a waiver will be emailed to you to complete and return or bring with you on your workday. You will not be permitted to work without a signed and dated waiver. No exceptions.

ATTENTION ORGANIZED GROUPS: Your Group contact must make sure each participant has completed the required waiver and collect and present them to the site supervisor on the scheduled workday.  Work is not permitted without these signed and dated waivers.  No exceptions. For Youth groups parent/guardian must complete and sign waivers for each person under 18. Trail work is not recommended for anyone under 13 years old.