Want to learn more about what it’s like to volunteer outdoors with VOC?

Have a specific question about the volunteering process?

Check out the questions and answers below. 

Where do VOC volunteer projects take place?

Do I need any experience to volunteer?

How difficult is the work on VOC volunteer projects?

How many volunteers typically participate in a VOC project?

Will food be provided at my project?

Can I bring my kids along?

Can I bring my pets?

Where do I stay during multi-day or overnight volunteer projects?

What are Stewardship Adventures?

How do I register for a VOC volunteer project?  

What happens next after I register for a VOC volunteer project? 

What if I can’t make it to a project that I’m registered for?

Does VOC arrange carpools for projects?

Are projects ever cancelled because of bad weather?

Are there other ways for me to help on a project?

How do I become a Volunteer Team Leader or Crew Leader?

All the work done through VOC volunteer projects helps protect, enhance, restore, and preserve Colorado’s natural places. Specific types of work include trail construction/restoration, tree planting, invasive weed removal, habitat restoration, campsite restoration, and preservation of historic Forest Service structures.

VOC provides lots of opportunities to volunteer outdoors at locations statewide. Some projects are in the city, while some are high in the mountains or in wilderness areas. To view upcoming project locations, check out the Project Calendar and click on the “locations” list or view the map.

No. You’ll be working on a small crew with an experienced VOC Volunteer Crew Leader who will teach you all you need to know and help you have a fun, rewarding experience.

Some projects may last only half a day, while others may last for several days or over a weekend. Project durations are noted within the project descriptions. 

VOC encourages volunteers to stay for the duration of the volunteer project, however on weekend or multiday projects you can select the day(s) you wish to volunteer.

VOC offers projects with varying levels of physical demand. To help you find projects that fit your desired level of physical activity, each project is rated as easy, moderate, or difficult:

• Easy – Projects that have minimal physical demand and worksites that are easy to access. Work activities might include tree plantings, pulling weeds, or spreading gravel for trails. Worksites can be accessed by walking fairly short distances. 
• Moderate – Projects that require greater physical activity, such as lifting and digging. Access to worksites may be longer distances and may require hiking.
• Difficult – Projects that are physically demanding and often have difficult access to the worksites. These are sometimes at high altitude or may require longer hikes to access the worksites. Work activities may require advanced skills, such as building rock walls or constructing trail steps. Volunteers must be age 16 or older.

Some projects can have as few as 12 volunteers, while others (such as urban tree or trail projects) can have hundreds.  To see the approximate number of volunteers for a specific project, the “number of people” is noted within each project description.

Will food be provided at my project?

Yes! Recommended minimum ages for child volunteers can be found in each VOC project description (typically the minimum age is 8). The guidelines are based on the nature of the work and safety considerations. On all projects, youth under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Sorry, no pets are allowed on projects.

On multi-day projects, volunteers usually camp overnight. VOC will provide a place to camp. You need to bring your own tent and any camping supplies. Occasionally there may be other accomodations available nearby such as a hotel or resort, and such options will be noted in the project description and registration details.

Stewardship Adventures combine adventure travel with volunteer activities. These are typically multi-day projects and are usually rated “moderate” or “difficult” for physical activity.

You must register so that we can effectively plan for the number of volunteers expected (i.e., tools, volunteer leaders, food, etc.).

You can register online. From the voc.org website, go to the Project Calendar.  Find the project that interests you and click the “click here to register” link, or from within the project description, click on the “signup” button.  You will be transferred to a project summary on VOC’s secure registration site, volunteeroutdoors.net. If you are a returning volunteer, log in and go through the registration process.  If you are a new volunteer, you will need to create an account, and then provide the requested information. After you have completed the registration, you’ll receive an e-mail confirming your registration.

You can also register by calling VOC at 303.715.1010.

Once you have registered, you will receive detailed project information approximately ten days prior to each project. This “Project Brief” will provide project background and logistical information including how to get to the project, what time to be there, what to bring, what meals we will provide, where to park, and where to camp or other accommodation options.

Call the VOC office at 303.715.1010 or cancel your on-line registration at http://www.volunteeroutdoors.net/ as soon as possible so we can adjust food and crew leader needs and offer your spot to another volunteer.

VOC offers a "Carpool Exchange" forum on our website where you can post and view carpool opportunities and needs.  Please note that you must register/log in to access the carpool exchange.  Go to Carpool Exchange. 

Projects are generally not canceled because of rain or light show showers—weather must be severe before we’ll cancel a project. You can call VOC at 303.715.1010 for information on cancellations.

Yes. We are always in need of people to help cook and to register volunteers. Please call VOC at 303-715-1010 to learn about other volunteer opportunities like these. 

Becoming a Volunteer Team Leader or Crew Leader is easy.  Simply register to attend a team leader or crew leader training. Click here to go to the training calendar. During the training you will learn how to effectively lead a small team or crew on a VOC project. Once the training is complete, you will be assigned a mentor to coach you until you feel comfortable to lead a team on your own.

Please contact VOC at 303.715.1010 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .