Volunteer Opportunities

To get involved or learn more, contact us at Volunteer@CoMo.gov or self-schedule. Volunteer opportunities are for all ages. Some events or programs may have specific age requirements, please reach out if you are unsure. Family volunteering is always welcome!

Cleanup Columbia – Registration is now open for our annual city-wide litter pick-up event that will be held throughout April. Individuals, families, businesses, and groups of all sizes and types are welcome to join the fun to see what surprises they encounter while volunteering! Volunteers pick the time, date, and location that works best for them, and we provide the supplies. Register here! 

Household Hazardous Waste – First and third Saturday, April-November. Volunteers are needed for some messy fun! Volunteers will be consolidating paint at the collections that are repurposed for the public to obtain at no cost. Shifts are available from 8:15 a.m.-10:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Volunteers will be provided gloves, aprons, and shoe covers but it is recommended to come in old clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty/stained. Volunteers much register to volunteer in advance, no drop ins are accepted. View the HHW Volunteer Policy and requirements. Please note there are some restrictions for youth volunteers.

Blue Thunder Track Clubopens PDF file assistant coaches are needed! Consistent, dedicated volunteers are needed to help coach children and teens in the sport of track and field. The season runs from April to July, with the first practice on April 2. For those interested in getting involved, reach out to Camren Cross at [email protected]create new email or 573.874.6378. Visit BlueThunderTrackClub.com to learn more. 

Douglass Youth Baseball Leagueopens PDF file is looking for coaches and umpires for this season! This is a non-competitive, instructional league that takes place in May and June, with coaching clinics starting in April. There are three leagues: T-Ball (5-6 year old), Coach Pitch (7-8 year old), and Kid Pitch (9-10 year old). Reach out to Camren Cross at 573.874.6378 or [email protected]create new email to get involved!

Missouri Conservation Corps (MCC) – Join MCC in helping remove honeysuckle from our City parks and trails! Below are upcoming workdays volunteers are invited to take part. Tools will be provided, but volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes, work gloves, and clothes they don’t mind getting dirty. Reach out to [email protected]create new email to register for their events!

COMO Trail Association (COMOTA) – Join COMOTA in helping improve our trails! Below are upcoming workdays volunteers are invited to take part. Tools will be provided, but volunteers will need to wear closed-toe shoes, work gloves, and clothes they don’t mind getting dirty. Register for COMOTA events here! 
  • Saturday, April 20 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Rhett’s Run. Meet at the back parking lot by the T-Ball fields. Building a new trail by the new bike park.
Heritage Day – Saturday, May 4 at Douglass Park (400 N Providence Rd). Volunteers are needed for this community event which is the unofficial opening of Douglass Park for the summer! Volunteers will be assisting with children’s games, activities, food service, and more. Volunteer shifts are available from 1:00-2:15 p.m. (set up), 1:30-5:30 p.m. (games, activities, food service), and 4:30-5:30 p.m. (tear down/clean up). 
 
Family Fun Fest – Third Wednesday, May-September from 5:30-8:00 p.m. (June event will be the third Thursday.) Join us for these family-friendly monthly entertainment events! Volunteers will be assisting with children’s activities and games. May and June Family Fun Fest will be held at Cosmo Park, and July-September will be held at Albert-Oakland Park.
 
Superhero Sports Challenge – Wednesday, May 22 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Volunteers are needed for this sports obstacle course for youth ages 6-14 at The Armory (701 E Ash St) to help facilitate the course. 
 
Parks and Recreation is looking for adults to teach a variety of classes at the Armory, 701 E. Ash: cheer, dance, jump rope and other activities and hobbies. If you have a skill to share, we would love to talk with you!  Contact Mary Deweycreate new email to get involved. 

Share your time with Special Olympics! To get involved email opens in a new windowTyler Armstrongcreate new email with Parks & Recreation. We prefer that volunteers commit to helping throughout the season; skill in the sport is desired but not required. Volunteers should be positive and supportive of the athlete.

Litter Team Cleanups

Volunteers are instrumental in keeping Columbia’s streets, parks and streams clean. Litter Team events are scheduled monthly. A volunteer or staff leader provides gloves, bags, safety vests and direction. Drop-ins are always welcome! Self-schedule, or email us. Those under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Litter Team events are not intended for large groups. Please reach out to us if you have a group and we will support a litter service specific to your group.

Litter Event Leadersopens PDF file help us engage other volunteers in caring for our environment! Tasks include bringing supplies (provided by the City), checking in volunteers, providing basic instructions, and helping them have a great cleanup.  

Group-Specific Litter Service

If you are interested in arranging a litter event specific to your group, we are happy to assign a location and provide the necessary supplies. For more information email Jody.cook@CoMo.gov or call 573.874.6271opens phone dialer. 

Composting Workshops

Volunteer Columbia provides free compost workshops to those looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Check out our 2024 schedule here!

Compost Workshop Leaders and Assistants – Food and yard waste make up close to 40% of what Columbia throws in the landfill. Our Compost Workshop Leaders and Assistants help lower that percentage by leading and supporting our annual Backyard Composting Workshop series for Columbia residents. Volunteer Columbia provides the curriculum and workshop support. Volunteers need to be active composters, comfortable with public speaking, and attend one workshop as a participant before assisting or leading. Workshops are held at the Compost Demonstration Site in Capen Park and other locations throughout the city.

Board & Commission Openings

There are many great ways to serve our City! Volunteer to serve on one of our many boards or commissions.