Michigan DNR Volunteer Mentors Needed at UP State Fair
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is calling on the community this summer. DNR volunteer mentors are needed to staff the Pocket Park in Escanaba during the Upper Peninsula State Fair, running August 17 through 23, 2026.
If you enjoy fishing, archery, or simply spending time outdoors, this is a solid way to put that passion to work.
The U.P. State Fair draws more than 100,000 visitors annually, and the Pocket Park sits right at the center of the action. Kids line up to fish in the U.P.-shaped pond, try pellet guns and a bow and arrow, and check out the fire tower. Running all of that takes a lot of helping hands. That’s exactly where DNR volunteer mentors come in.
What DNR Volunteer Mentors Do
You don’t need a background in wildlife management. DNR volunteer mentors help staff the Pocket Park’s hands-on activity stations, greet visitors, and walk young attendees through outdoor experiences many of them have never tried before. Full volunteer training for all activities is provided.
Grace Charles, the lead interpreter at the Pocket Park, said the work speaks for itself: “Most folks who volunteer at the Pocket Park find it to be a very rewarding experience, with many returning to offer their help again this year.” She noted the park attracts big crowds, which means plenty of available shifts for new volunteers.
The results show quickly. DNR volunteer mentors get to watch kids reel in their first fish and see parents introduce their children to outdoor traditions they have been waiting to pass on. Outdoor recreation in 2026 is drawing record numbers of families back outside, and hands-on experiences like these are part of what drives that.
Volunteer Shifts and What You Will Receive
Here is the schedule for DNR volunteer mentors during the 2026 U.P. State Fair:
Shifts include 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17 (fair opening day), 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 3:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, Aug. 18 to 22, and noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23 (final day of the fair).
Volunteers must be at least 16 years old, unless under preapproved circumstances, and pass a background check. A meal and T-shirt will be provided.
Businesses and organizations can also sponsor full shifts. Any group or business that sends employees or members to volunteer will have their name prominently displayed and announced during that shift.
Why States Rely on DNR Volunteer Mentors
Across the country, state natural resource agencies depend on DNR volunteer mentors to extend what their staff cannot cover alone. In Minnesota, the DNR’s volunteer program contributed an estimated $9 million in services in 2025, with volunteers helping with activities including teaching firearms safety, improving wildlife habitat, and hosting campground events. Over 38 years, Minnesotans have contributed more than 13.3 million hours of volunteer service to help manage natural resources.
Wisconsin runs similar programs this year, from mentored deer hunts to rare species monitoring. The pattern is consistent. DNR volunteer mentors bring local knowledge, personal investment, and community trust that agency staff alone cannot replicate at scale.
For a kid at the Upper Peninsula State Fair, DNR volunteer mentors might be among the first adults who taught them to cast a line or draw a bow. Community events like Corrales Outdoor Adventure Day show how free fishing and archery access can build lasting outdoor habits in young people.
About the DNR Pocket Park
The DNR Pocket Park is a 1-acre site located within the U.P. State Fairgrounds off U.S. 2. It features a wooded landscape, a small waterfall, and a U.P.-shaped pond designed for catch-and-release fishing. The park is open Memorial Day through Labor Day for family gatherings, picnics, youth organizations, school groups, sports associations, and Scout campouts.
DNR volunteer mentors keep this space running and give it purpose year after year. Charles put it directly: “Youth enjoy a fun experience, parents get to introduce their kids to potentially new activities, with the help of others, and the volunteers gain the satisfaction of knowing they are helping guide youth in recreation activities that may help shape their future interests.”
For more outdoor events and news happening right now, the outdoor adventure section at Tomaro Group has the latest from across the country.
How to Become One of the DNR Volunteer Mentors
Ready to sign up? DNR volunteer mentors for this year’s fair can contact Grace Charles at DNR-UP-PocketPark@Michigan.gov or register through the official volunteer sign-up link on the Michigan DNR website. Slots are open across multiple shifts throughout fair week.
DNR volunteer mentors receive all the training they need before stepping onto the floor. No prior outdoor instruction experience is required. Groups and businesses looking to sponsor a shift can reach out through the same contact. Public recognition during the fair is included.
Wrapping Up
The U.P. State Fair runs August 17 through 23 in Escanaba. The DNR has open shifts across the full week and is still looking for people to fill them. It is a low-barrier opportunity with a clear payoff. Kids leave with a new skill. Volunteers leave knowing they made a difference. If you are in northern Michigan this August, a few hours at the Pocket Park is well worth it.
