Volunteer With Us
Looking for a volunteer opportunity that gets you outside, allows you to make a difference in the local community, and can be tailored to your skills and passions? Outdoor Chattanooga has been around since the early 90s and has maintained a consistent goal to get people outside. Whether someone is local or has traveled from out of town, we want everyone to have access to the outdoors and have made it our mission to make the outdoors a welcome home for everyone. If you care about people having access to the outdoors, even if you don’t have any training, we would love to hear from you.
Three Ways to Volunteer
Event and Outreach Support
Outdoor Chattanooga puts on multiple events each year such as the Chatt Town Cool Down and the Chattanooga River Games. From helping set up the climbing wall to ticketing, from organizing lost and found to breaking down tents, these events are huge feats that would not be possible without your support.
Custom Opportunities
Do you have ideas and skills for an outdoor program or educational activity that we don’t offer? We would like to hear your input to create a custom program. These in the past have looked like teaching Land Navigation, Fire Building, or building a custom bike storage solution for the inside of our bike trailer. Send us an email with your ideas to info@outdoorchattanooga.com
Program Support
We offer programs throughout the area including in Chattanooga and expanding all the way into the Thrive Region. Some of our more popular programs include Learn to Ride a Bike, Learn to Skateboard, Try Archery, Toddler Treks, and Intro to Whitewater Kayaking. Volunteering to support our programs is the best way for you to get involved if you want to learn a new outdoor skill (yes, we will teach you all the technical skills you need) and you want to see what Outdoor Chattanooga is about. You won’t need to plan or organize any logistics, we do all of that for you. You just need to show up with your excitement and willingness to learn and we will help get you set up in getting our community more comfortable outdoors.
FAQs
Is there a minimum age requirement?
All volunteers have to be at least 18 years old and pass a background check as many of our programs serve minors and vulnerable populations.
Do I need to have any specific skills or experience to volunteer?
No! To be a Program Specific Volunteer, we will teach you all of the technical skills you need to know.
If you do happen to have specific skills and experience you’d like to bring, definitely contact us and let’s start the conversation about creating a Custom Opportunity.
What is the estimated time committment?
That is completely up to you. If you would like to volunteer one time, take a look at our event opportunities. If you would like to volunteer regularly, a Program Specific Volunteer might be right for you. You let us know what you’re able to do and we’ll make it work.
What do I need to bring/wear?
In general you should always bring comfortable shoes like tennis shoes, a water bottle, and a snack. Consider seasonal and weather factors when dressing – don’t forget sunscreen in summers and gloves in the winter. You will not need to bring any supplies for the activities unless specifically stated.
How can I stay updated on volunteer opportunities?
Follow us in Bloomerang!
Can I volunteer if I have physical limitations or disabilities?
Yes! We are always looking for volunteers to help us staff the front desk and greet customers.
Events
Events
Calendar of Events
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Join us for a serene and immersive afternoon in nature under the enchanting Snow Moon! As part of our Full Moon Adventure Series, this guided forest bathing experience invites you to slow down, awaken […] |
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Chattanooga Grotto is the caving club of Chattanooga, TN. Meetings are held every first Monday of the month at Outdoor Chattanooga in Coolidge Park at 7PM EST. Anyone is welcome […] |
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Take aim at Outdoor Chattanooga's "Try Archery" class. This free indoor class located at the Philip Grymes Outdoor Chattanooga Center in Coolidge Park offers a hands-on opportunity to learn more […] Take aim at Outdoor Chattanooga's "ADULT only ARCHERY- Aim your Game" class. This free indoor class located at the Philip Grymes Outdoor Chattanooga Center in Coolidge Park offers a hands-on […] |
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Join Outdoor Chattanooga for a parent/child focused program highlighting "winter adaptations". Designed especially for toddlers, this class aims to spark a lifelong passion for the natural world and nurture curiosity, […]
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Embark on a remarkable journey with "Hike Through History," a collaborative effort by the City of Chattanooga and the African American Cemetery Preservation Fund. Join us on a low-impact hike […] |
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3 events,
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Take aim at Outdoor Chattanooga's "Try Archery" class. This free indoor class located at the Philip Grymes Outdoor Chattanooga Center in Coolidge Park offers a hands-on opportunity to learn more […]
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Learn to Ride a Bike Learn how to ride a bicycle in as little as one class, or come see us to refresh your rusty skills. The class consists of […] Take aim at Outdoor Chattanooga's "ADULT only ARCHERY- Aim your Game" class. This free indoor class located at the Philip Grymes Outdoor Chattanooga Center in Coolidge Park offers a hands-on […] |
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Ready to take your adventures farther off the beaten path, but skeptical of the backpacking advice you read online? Have some questions you want answered but don't know who to […] |
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Pin the Arrow on Cupid Join the City of Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors Department for a playful Valentine’s-themed evening at the Outdoor Chattanooga Building on Friday, February 13! Whether you’re looking to try […] |
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Ditch the crowded restaurants and celebrate your love for nature (and maybe each other!) on a peaceful, guided birding hike with Outdoor Chattanooga! Join us at Harrison Bay State Park […] |
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Bushcraft: Fire Building and Camp Cooking Experience the satisfaction of building a fire with your own hands and cooking a meal in the open air! In this half-day, hands-on class, you’ll […] |
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Chattanooga Bicycle Club meets at the Philip Grymes Outdoor Chattanooga Center the 3rd MONDAY monthly from 6pm- 7:30 pm.The CBC is a recreational cycling club whose members share the good fortune of […] |
2 events,
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Take aim at Outdoor Chattanooga's "Try Archery" class. This free indoor class located at the Philip Grymes Outdoor Chattanooga Center in Coolidge Park offers a hands-on opportunity to learn more […] Take aim at Outdoor Chattanooga's "ADULT only ARCHERY- Aim your Game" class. This free indoor class located at the Philip Grymes Outdoor Chattanooga Center in Coolidge Park offers a hands-on […] |
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WINTER WORKSHOP SERIES Curious about the animals you might encounter in your own backyard or on the trail? Join us for a classroom-based winter workshop offered in partnership with the […] |
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Join Outdoor Chattanooga for a beautiful and invigorating winter adventure! This Winter Waterfall Hike takes you on a moderate 4-mile round-trip hike to stunning Hemlock Falls in Georgia’s Sitton’s Gulch […] |
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Learn more about how to get involved with the club and even more opportunities to get outdoors!https://www.sierraclub.org/tennessee/cherokeeThe Sierra Club is the most enduring and influential grassroots environmental organization in the […] |
2 events,
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Take aim at Outdoor Chattanooga's "Try Archery" class. This free indoor class located at the Philip Grymes Outdoor Chattanooga Center in Coolidge Park offers a hands-on opportunity to learn more […] Take aim at Outdoor Chattanooga's "ADULT only ARCHERY- Aim your Game" class. This free indoor class located at the Philip Grymes Outdoor Chattanooga Center in Coolidge Park offers a hands-on […] |
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1 event,
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Curious about hunting but not sure where to start? Join Outdoor Chattanooga and experts from the Tennessee Wildlife Federation for Hunting 101, an introductory workshop designed to help new and […] |
1 event,
MEDIC SOLO: Wilderness First Aid is an in-person certification class and an industry standard in the outdoor recreation industry as well as recommended for any outdoor enthusiast. WFA/ SOLO MEDIC […] |
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Did You Know?
The Chattanooga region holds great and diverse whitewater paddling opportunities, for beginners and experts. To the east, the Appalachian Mountains hold iconic whitewater streams like the Ocoee, Hiwassee, Cartecay, Nantahala and Chattooga. Closer to home, the ridges of the Cumberland Plateau offer some of the best steep creek boating in the Eastern U.S.
American Whitewater offers the region’s best river database.