Opportunities From: The University of Southern Mississippi

The City of Hattiesburg Parks and Recreation team is looking for volunteers to help support their fall youth softball program at Timberton Park. As a Youth Softball game volunteer, you will support coaches, players, umpires, and Parks and Recreation staff by maintaining a safe, lively, and organized game-day environment. You play a crucial role behind the scenes to ensure games run smoothly, schedules stay on track, and young athletes have a fun, safe competitive experience.

Volunteers will support game-day operations by assisting with field setup and equipment, helping run the concessions stand, maintaining clean dugouts and sidelines, and supporting player safety, all while gaining valuable experience in sports management and earning community service hours. To ensure safety and comfort while moving around the park, please wear comfortable athletic clothing and supportive, closed-toe shoes.

Timberton Park is located at 574 William Carey Parkway, Hattiesburg, MS 39401. Upon arrival, look for a Parks and Recreation staff member or coach to get your volunteer assignment.

The City of Hattiesburg Parks and Recreation team are looking for volunteers to help support their fall youth softball program at Timberton Park. As a Youth Softball practice volunteer, you will support coaches, players, and the Parks and Recreation staff by maintaining a safe, clean, and organized environment. You play a crucial role behind the scenes to ensure practices run smoothly and young athletes stay safe.

Volunteers will support softball practices by managing field setup and equipment, assisting coaches with player safety, and keeping the dugout and sidelines organized, all while gaining valuable experience in athletic administration and earning community service hours. To ensure safety and comfort while moving around the field, please wear comfortable athletic clothing and supportive, closed-toe shoes.

Timberton Park is located at 574 William Carey Parkway, Hattiesburg, MS 39401. Upon arrival, look for a Parks and Recreation staff member or coach to get your volunteer assignment.

Mini Makers is a program for parents and their children ages 5 and under. Kids make a take-home craft, get their energy out through dance and movement, and engage in child-led play allowing parents and children to have an opportunity to make new friends. Volunteering for Mini Makers involves supporting the setup of the class activity, assisting with the organization and cleanliness of the classroom, and providing assistance and encouragement to kids during the art activity. Mini Makers is held at the Rebekah Stark Johnson Community Arts Center located at 825 N Main Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401. Upon arrival, enter through the front of the building and the class will be in the room located in the classroom directly to the left. Please arrive at 8:45 a.m. When you arrive, Katie, our Arts Center manager, will be there to greet you! The class is from 9 to 10 a.m.

Live at Five is a free concert series where music, community, and local culture come together. Volunteering for Parks and Recreation at Live at Five involves setting up tent and tables, passing out craft or activity to children, assisting the children with their activity, ensuring the safety of the children, and breaking down tents and tables at the end of the event. Live at Five is held at Town Square Park located at 100 Main Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401. Upon arrival, you can park in the parking lot across from the park on Buschman Street, in the grass space across from the park on Bay Street, or any other available parking in Downtown Hattiesburg. This is a big event so parking can sometimes be limited depending on what time you arrive. Arriving early ensures access to closer parking. Please arrive by 4:30 p.m. When you arrive, look for a programmer in a shirt that says “Parks and Recreation” or walk up to the Live at Five tent where one of the event hosts will direct you to our table location. Volunteers are encouraged to bring water and a lawn chair. Food and drinks are available for purchase at this event.

Homeschool ceramics is a program where City of Hattiesburg homeschool students can enroll in a 2 week ceramics course where they learn to build with clay and create their own unique piece. Volunteering for Homeschool Ceramics involves supporting the instructor and setup of the activity, assisting with the organization and cleanliness of the studio, and providing assistance and encouragement to kids during the ceramics activity. Homeschool Ceramics is held at the Rebekah Stark Johnson Community Arts Center located at 825 N Main Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401. Upon arrival, enter through the front of the building and the take a right to go down the hallway. At the end of the hallway take a left and the ceramics studio will be directly on your left. Please arrive at 9:45 a.m. When you arrive one of the instructors will be there to greet you. The class is from 10 to 11 a.m.

Rhythm and Movement is a free Parks and Recreation program that introduces participants ages 8-15 to rhythm, movement, creativity, and collaboration through bucket drumming, body percussion, found-object percussion, and ensemble performance. Activities include rhythm games, movement activities, improvisation, group exercise, and more. Volunteering for this program involves setup of the activity, assisting with organization and cleanliness, and providing assistance and encouragement to kids during the activity. Rhythm and Movement is held at the Rebekah Stark Johnson Community Arts Center located at 825 N Main Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401. Parking is available on-site on the side of the building. Upon arrival, enter through the front of the building and one of the staff members will be there to greet you. Please arrive by 3:20 p.m. The program is from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

The Art Market is a free event where attendees stroll through a variety of artwork, meet the artists, and discover one-of-a-kind pieces.  This event supports local talent while allowing customers to find that special something for friends, family, or themselves. Volunteering for Art Market involves setting up tents and tables, passing out crafts or activities to children and adults, assisting the children with their activity, ensuring the safety of the children, breaking down tents and tables at the end of the event, and assisting with other tasks as needed. The Art Market is held in the parking lot of the RSJ Community Arts Center (weather permitting) located at 825 N Main St., Hattiesburg, MS 39401. Upon arrival, you can park in the Fire Station parking lot across Main Street. When you arrive, look for a programmer in a shirt that says “Parks and Recreation” or walk up to the Parks & Recreation tent where one of the event hosts will direct you. Two hour shifts are available. Volunteers can sign up for a single shift or for multiple. 

Join Hattiesburg Parks and Recreation for free monthly senior bingo on September 24th, 11:00 AM–1:00 PM! Volunteering for bingo includes helping with setup, calling numbers, distributing cards, and supporting the event as needed. This month's program takes place at the new Katie John Dabbs Community Center in Downtown Hattiesburg located at 1102 Dabbs Street. Please arrive by 11 a.m. 

The free After School Art Class is an opportunity for kids ages 6 to 11 to explore different mediums and creative outlets. Volunteering for this program involves helping the teacher set up the classroom, helping children with art activities, and helping organize/clean the classroom. The After School Art Class is held at the Rebekah Stark Johnson Community Arts Center located at 825 North Main Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401. Parking is available on the side of the building. Upon arrival, enter through the front of the building and the class will be in the room directly to the left. Please arrive by 3:20 p.m. When you arrive, Katie Ginn, the Arts Center Manager, will be there to greet you.