Volunteering

SCPR counts on its faithful volunteers who give of their time, energy, and resources for the common goal of providing a program which meets the recreational needs of all of Sampson County citizens. Volunteers and the volunteer services they provide are essential in recreation programming and their value is immeasureable. 

Volunteer Opportunities

There are several volunteer positions within the recreation department. 

Coach
Coaching positions are available for responsible, reputable and dedicated individuals who are able to teach fundamental sport principles and proper skill development, all while exemplifying good character and fostering a structured, yet fun, atmosphere.

Scorekeeper
SCPR offers competitive sports programs in which winners are determined by score. Due to the variety of sports programs offered there are several methods to keeping score. Volunteering as a scorekeeper is one of the most exciting ways of providing a volunteer service.

Official
SCPR's courts and playing fields are primarily officiated by paid certified sports officials. There are many opportunities for individuals that are looking a more involved way of contributing their skills and efforts to SCPR. We are always looking for volunteer officials for both competitive and developmental programs.

Field Maintenance Volunteer
During any given day SCPR is responsible for preparing up to 10 playing fields for games and practices. Preparing a field includes everything from painting and chalking lines, dragging and leveling baseball fields, cutting and cultivating grassy areas of fields, and setting out field markers. Volunteering as a field maintenance volunteer is a great way to support SCPR programs from behind the scenes.

Becoming a Volunteer

Becoming a volunteer coach, scorekeeper, official, and/or field maintenance volunteer is simple. All you need to do is:   
  
     1. Complete a Volunteer Application and a Criminal Record Check obtained from the main office.          
         OR click here to complete the Volunteer Application and click here to complete the Criminal Record Check.
     2. Submit the completed documents to the main office.
     3. Once these steps are completed, SCPR will contact you when and if a position becomes available.

* Volunteer coaches and officials must be at least 18 years old. Scorekeepers and field maintenance volunteers must be at least 16 years old.

Please familiarize yourself with the rules, scoring methods, and field dimensions used in our various sports programs. This information can be found in our Local League rule books. You can get these rules by clicking here.

Exceptional Volunteer Highlight

Coach Marco Perez

Each sport season a volunteer is selected to be highlighted as an "Exceptional Volunteer". The honoree is recognized in the local newspaper and on the SCPR Facebook page. The most recent volunteer was chosen "Exceptional Volunteer" for his significant contributions to the welfare of young athletes participating in the Sampson County Parks &Marco Perez- Volunteer Highlight Recreation’s Dixie Youth Baseball League. More than just coaching them, Coach Marco Perez strives to inspire the children to believe in themselves and perform to their inner best.

“I love the challenge of taking a group of players and putting a team together and watch them learn not only the game but what it really means to be a part of a team, whether we win or lose,” the coach said.

His outstanding sportsmanship serves as an example to both young athletes and visitors to the games as his focus remains always on ensuring the games stay fair. His dedication to fairness has not gone unnoticed either.

“Before every season is over, the boys are already asking me with a smile, are you couching next year? Then I know that I need to continue doing my part as a community member,” Perez said.

Of course, the boys’ enthusiasm might also be encouraged by a few of the other little extras Coach throws their way. After each game, Coach determines one player of the game to award a specially decorated ball in recognition of their athletic spirit. The key to this award is that it is not based on winning or losing - it’s all in how they play the game. “We don’t forget to have fun,” he said. “Every season, we strive to be a part of a great Dixie Youth Baseball team. If the players continue having fun every season, I will continue to be there for the ones that come - good or bad, big or small, great or not, we’ll have them all.”