Volunteer

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.   Can I volunteer for any trip I want?

A.   Experience is not required for snorkeling, kayaking, or hiking.  However for surfing, rock climbing, snowboarding, and mountain biking we ask that you have at least some experience.  We regularly offer skill trainings in rock climbing, mountain biking, and surfing, and offer snowboarding training once a year. 

Q.   What do I do now that I have completed my volunteer training?

A.   Email the volunteer coordinator, Erin Sheehy (erin@outdooroutreach.org), for any volunteer opportunity.  On our website (www.outdooroutreach.org) you will find an event calendar with a list of our upcoming trips.  The “Needs Volunteers”, indicates that we still need volunteers for that trip.  Clicking on the link will give you instructions on how to proceed.  There will also be monthly newsletters with upcoming volunteer opportunities. 

Q.   Is there a required time commitment?

A.   Outdoor Outreach employs a quality vs. quantity perspective with our volunteers.  We understand that not everyone has a large amount of time in their schedule to commit to Outdoor Outreach and therefore there is no minimum time commitment, with the few exceptions of our ALIVE program.  However, we do ask for dependability.  Be on time, be respectful, be positive, and be present to ensure that participants get the most out of the experience. 

Q.   How do we pick the program participants?

A.   Outdoor Outreach staff members communicate with teachers and faculty at our various partnering organizations in order to determine who participates in our programs.  The application process for the students varies in intensity as our programs vary in commitment.  On the whole we focus on reaching out to students who are in need of something positive in their life and who would benefit from the programs we provide. 

Q.   What is the cost to the students?

A.   There is no cost to the students who participate on our trips.  All equipment, food, and activity expenses are provided to participants free of charge.  Many of our programs organize fundraisers to be able to participate in more expensive activities such as overnight snowboarding trips to Mammoth.  Fundraising helps teach participants the value of working towards a goal and promotes teamwork. 

Q.   Is there a cost for volunteering on trips? Do volunteers need to provide their own equipment?

A.   There is no cost for volunteering.  Volunteers are welcome to bring their own equipment. Outdoor Outreach is happy to provide equipment for volunteers as needed.

Q.   How does Outdoor Outreach fund the trips?

A.   Outdoor Outreach receives funding from foundations, as well as individual and corporate sponsors.  Much of our equipment is donated from companies such as REI, Vans, Hurley, and RipCurl.  No child ever pays to participate with Outdoor Outreach. 

Q.   I am not CPR or First Aid certified.  Can I still volunteer?

A.   Outdoor Outreach requires CPR and First Aid certification to be completed within the first 6 months of volunteering.  We provide certification classes twice per year, or you can seek certification independently from the Red Cross, American Health Association, or other certification agencies. 

Q.   How many participants go on each trip?

A.   There are typically 10-14 participants on each outing.  We travel in 15 passenger vans driven by Outdoor Outreach staff members who have obtained a Commercial Driver’s License.