Volunteer

Outdoor Outreach is a community-based organization and depends upon the help from committed volunteers. Our volunteers are the life-blood of our organization. Without the help of volunteers it would be impossible to carry out our mission of helping at-risk and underprivileged youth.

For questions regarding volunteering, please e-mail: katie@outdooroutreach.org. 

Steps to Becoming a Volunteer

There are plenty of ways to get involved; check out our volunteer opportunities to see what interests you.

Apply!

Attn: Katie Gangi
Outdoor Outreach
5275 Market Street, Suite A
San Diego, CA 92114

We will contact you as soon as we receive the application to schedule you for a group orientation.

Orientation: Volunteers are required to go through a one-hour orientation with our volunteer coordinator covering information on Outdoor Outreach, our programs, volunteer expectations and needs, safety procedures, etc. The volunteer coordinator will also discuss with you your available time, interests and strengths, and how they correspond to the needs of our programs. You can check out our event calendar for upcoming group orientations.

Background Check: Volunteers need to complete a Live Scan criminal justice background check (done through fingerprinting) prior to volunteering. This can be done at any point during the application process. Please download and print the request for Live Scan service form and bring two copies to the Live Scan office. (Click here for a list of locations.) The cost is typically $10–20, depending on location. Even if you've had a Live Scan done recently, we still require this step. Live Scan will notify Outdoor Outreach when the background check has been completed. We do not need your form.

First Aid and CPR: We require all the staffing on our trips, including volunteers, to be CPR and First Aid certified. You can get started before you are certified, but we ask that you get certified within a few months of working with Outdoor Outreach. The American Red Cross offers classes every day.

What You Need to Know

Outdoor Outreach does not require a minimum time commitment so you can give as much or as little of your time as you wish. However, we do ask for dependability. Be on time, be respectful and be positive.

If you'd like to align yourself with a program and attend all the events, that is a great way to really get to know the participants. Or you can participate for an entire season in the sport you're most experienced in. Ideally, we want our volunteers interacting with the same youth as much as possible in order to strengthen trust and bonds.

Active Volunteers

Check out our event calendar for upcoming trip opportunities! For all other volunteer interests, questions or concerns, please e-mail our volunteer coordinator at katie@outdooroutreach.org.