Pere Marquette Site Interpreter and Education

• Share Your Passion. Inspire Others. Make a Difference.
• Love nature? Enjoy meeting new people? Join the Pere Marquette State Park Volunteer Program and help connect visitors with the natural beauty, history, and wildlife of one of Illinois' premier state parks.
• Welcome visitors at the Visitor Center.
• Serve as a Visitor Center Docent by greeting guests and answering questions.
• Assist with interpretive and educational programs.
• Help lead and support school field trips.
• Assist with special events and community outreach.
• Support conservation education and inspire future stewards of our natural resources.

Who Can Volunteer?

• Ages 16 and older may volunteer with parent or guardian permission.
• Ages 12–15 may volunteer with direct adult supervision.
• All volunteers must successfully complete a background check before beginning service.

• Earn Student Service Learning Credit (SSLC) hours for qualifying middle and high school students.
• Gain valuable volunteer experience for college applications, scholarships, and resumes.
• Letters of recommendation may be available for dedicated volunteers demonstrating outstanding service.
• Learn from Illinois Department of Natural Resources staff while building leadership and communication skills.
• Make a positive impact in your community and help visitors create lasting memories.

Ready to Get Started? CLICK HERE

Are you planning a guided hike for your school, scout, family, or private outing? We welcome participants year-round, Monday to Friday, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Let us know your needs, and we’ll work with you to create an unforgettable experience!  Please complete and email the Program Request Form below to Natural Resource Coordinator, Lev Smolianski at Menachem.Smolianski@illinois.gov.

Field Trip Information

• K-2 Teacher Resource Field Trip Packet
• 3rd-5th Grade Teacher Resource Field Trip Packet
• Program Request Form

IDNR Educational Resource Trunks

Educational trunks such as trees, birds, pollinators, and more are available at the Visitor Center for loan. Please view the IDNR Division of Education page to learn more!

Trunks may be reserved by emailing Menachem.Smolianski@illinois.gov. Trunks are an educational resource for educators to utilize on their own with their group or classroom either offsite or onsite at the park.

• Trees
• Birds
• Insects
• Pollinators
• Fossils
• Mammals
• State Symbols
• Prairies
• Amphibians
• Field Trip Backpack
• Aquatic Resources

Activity Permits

(Required for all Groups of 20 or more People)

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Land Management requires any group of 20 or more persons who use Department facilities to have advance written permission from the Site Superintendent. Regardless of group size, the Department may require additional liability coverage to be provided through an Activity Permit. Release of Liability can be used if your organization, family, or school does not have liability insurance. Site managers may deny the request if the facilities are not adequate to handle the size of the group if public health or safety might be compromised, if the liability risk to the Department is too great, or if there would be adverse impacts on natural resources at the site.

All organized groups, family gatherings, and school field trips are required to follow the State of Illinois Administrative Rules including groups of 15 minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. 

Activity Permits are to be used whenever a non-traditional use of any facility is requested (for example - a family reunion in the picnic area) and/or any activity that might increase potential liability to the Department (for example - search and rescue teams practicing on rock faces). These requests need to be made at least 21 days in advance of the activity and forwarded to the Regional Office for processing.

• Activity Permit
• Release of Liability

Guidelines for Completing Activity Permits

• Complete the Activity Permit at least 1-2 weeks before the scheduled visit and email the permit to Menachem.Smolianski@illinois.gov.
• Acquire Proof of Liability Insurance (business, school, or organization can ask their administrator or main office) or have each participant sign the Release of Liability Form ahead of time.
• Email, mail, or drop off the completed Activity Permit and Proof of Liability Insurance together (if you do not have proof of liability insurance you can complete the Release of Liability Waiver to turn in at the front desk of the Pere Marquette Visitor Center the day of your visit) to Menachem.smolianski@Illinois.gov at least 1-2 weeks before the scheduled visit.

Pere Marquette State Park Visitor Center
13112 Visitors Center Ln,
Grafton, IL 62037

You will receive a response shortly via email or phone, notifying you of the approval or denial of your group visit request.