Helping hands

This listing of volunteer opportunities in Bloomington will appear on Tuesdays.\n• Vine Volunteers 'Volunteers are needed by Monroe County Parks and Recreation to work with groups of 5 to 7 children to conduct nature activities and discover neighborhood plants and animals. No experience in biology or teaching is needed, and activities are simple and fun. Volunteering means a commitment of four hours of training time and one to two hours weekly (3:30'5 p.m.), plus travel. The program lasts for five weeks between Sept. 25 and Nov. 3, and all materials and administration are provided. Volunteers must have their own transportation to the site and be at least 14 years of age. For further information contact Cathy Meyer at 349-2805 or e-mail cmeyer@co.monroe.in.us.\n• WonderLab Museum ' Volunteers will go through orientation to become exhibit interpreters from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Sept. 9 at the museum. Volunteers can serve during the public hours on from 2'5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, during weekdays when school groups visit and during outreach events. Scheduling is flexible and a science background is not required. Families are welcome, and the minimum age is 11 unless one has an adult assistant. Contact Jeanne Gunning at 337-1337 or Jeanne_Gunning@wonderlab.org.\n• Tutors for Adult Learners ' VITAL volunteers give confidential, individual, free tutoring to adults who have not acquired adequate reading, writing and math skills. Tutors receive excellent training. A commitment of two hours per week for six months is requested. The minimum age is 18, and the facility is wheelchair accessible. Call Cathy Rogers at 349-3175 for additional information.\n• People and Animal Learning Services ' PALS assist children and adults with disabilities through its therapeutic horse riding program. Volunteers are needed to lead and sidewalk horses, groom and saddle them, feed them and clean stalls. Advanced equestrians are also needed to help train and exercise horses. The minimum age is 14. Contact Fern Bonchek at 876-1907 or fbonchek@aol.com.