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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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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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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Celebrate the Worm Moon with a guided urban farm and garden tour with Outdoor Chattanooga! We'll explore a few of our cities vibrant green spaces, including Crabtree Farms, a cornerstone […] |
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Set sail for adventure with Privateer Sailing Education Foundation! This hands-on workshop introduces participants to the basics of sailing and essential knot-tying techniques every mariner should know. Learn how to […] |
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Are you ready to embark on a nature-filled adventure with your little explorer? Join Outdoor Chattanooga for a one-of-a-kind parent/child program designed especially for toddlers. This class is designed to ignite a […]
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Join Outdoor Chattanooga on a four mile hike on TVA's Little Cedar Mountain trail. This will be a moderate but leisurely-paced hike with two climbs and two descents, and a […] |
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Volunteer Orientation Curious about how you can get involved and make a difference? Join us for our Volunteer Orientation! This event is designed to introduce new and returning volunteers to […] |
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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 a set of exercises and […]
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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 a set of exercises and […] |
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We are just days away from our upcoming Career and Volunteer Fair, and we can't wait to see you there. We have an incredible lineup of local organizations joining us, […] |
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Join us for a hands on workshop that shows how everyday time outside can contribute to real scientific research. Led by UTC graduate researcher Seth Ledbetter, this session introduces fungal […] |
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Step into the night for a Friday the 13th night hike and experience Greenway Farms after dark on this family- and beginner-friendly Night Hike with Outdoor Chattanooga. Guided by a […] |
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Explore the hidden history of Old Harrison on this guided kayak tour. Once a thriving riverside community, the town was submerged in 1940 with the creation of Chickamauga Dam. Today, its remnants […] |
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Family Fun Day- Adventure in the Park Family Fun Day- Adventure in the Park is a free community event with activities for all ages! Bring a picnic and the whole […] |
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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 […] |
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Discover the beauty of spring with Outdoor Chattanooga’s Family Wildflower Walk on the Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail near La Fayette, Georgia. This scenic 0.8-mile out-and-back boardwalk trail is renowned for […]
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Join certified Tyler Meroney, Urban & Community Forestry Partnership Coordinator from the Department of Agriculture Forestry Division for an engaging and informative workshop all about caring for the trees that […] |
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Join Trout Unlimited for an introductory workshop designed to get you started in the art of fly fishing! Whether you're brand new to the sport or just looking to refresh […] |
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Explore the hidden history of Old Harrison on this guided kayak tour. Once a thriving riverside community, the town was submerged in 1940 with the creation of Chickamauga Dam. Today, its […] |
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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 […] |
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For adults aged 50 and above, we present Silver Adventures—an exceptional opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and tailored programming under the guidance of our expert outdoor team. Discover the […]
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Join us for a family-friendly workshop where you'll learn about the vital role of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators in our ecosystem. Engage in hands-on activities and discover how you […] |
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First Casts: A Kids Learn-to-Fish Program (Ages 12 & Under) Introduce your child to the joy of fishing at East Lake Park in Chattanooga! First Casts is a fun, hands-on program designed […] |
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Enjoy a peaceful walk among spring wildflowers on this leisurely, beginner-friendly hike to beautiful Hemlock Falls in Georgia’s Sitton’s Gulch at Cloudland Canyon State Park. This moderate 4-mile round-trip hike […] |
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The Pink Moon, a symbol of renewal and growth, invites us to reflect on what we want to "bloom" in our lives—much like the flowers of spring. Come walk beneath […] |
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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.