Volunteer Programs
Volunteer Programs is located in City Hall, 701 E. Broadway, fifth floor, in Community Development. We can be reached at 874-7499 or Volunteer@CoMo.gov.
Do you enjoy fun, rewarding and new experiences? Then Volunteer Columbia has just the opportunity for you!
Here’s how you can volunteer! APPLY TO VOLUNTEER
Volunteer Information Center – SELF SCHEDULE AND LOG HOURS
SPLAT! Junior Obstacle Course Mud Run– Volunteers are needed to help with this youth mud run on Saturday, June 30 at Gans Creek Recreation Area, 3360 E. Gans Rd. Positions include: Registration (7 a.m.-12 p.m.), Course Support (7:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 7:30 a.m. -10 a.m. ; 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.), Aid Station assistance (7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.) and assisting with the Finish Line from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Fire in the Sky– Help celebrate Columbia’s 66th Annual Fourth of July celebration. Volunteers are needed on Wednesday, July 4 to assist with supporting the children’s activity area from 5:30-9 p.m. at Flat Branch Park; joining our Special Events Safety Crew to secure the fireworks zone from 5:30-10 p.m.; providing parking assistance at the VIP Parking Lot at the Walton Building from 6-9 p.m. ; assisting the stage crew with setup/cleanup from 6-10 p.m. at Flat Branch Park and Lucky’s and monitoring Flat Branch Park or Lucky’s from 6-10 p.m.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection (HHW) July 7 & 21- Volunteers are needed to assist with Paint Consolidation and Traffic and Direction. Shifts are available 8:00a.m.-10:00a.m. and 10:00a.m. -12:00p.m. Traffic volunteers greet citizens and direct to the proper lane. Paint volunteers open cans of water based paint and consolidate into five gallon buckets. It’s a bit messy, but people really enjoy it. Aprons, gloves and shoe covers are provided. HHW takes place at 1313 Lakeview. This is an ongoing opportunity the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month April through November. A great team of volunteers help with HHW, let us know if you wish to join the fun. For more information, contact Jody Cook at jody.cook@como.gov or 573-874-6271.
Columbia Crawdads-Columbia Crawdads are volunteers who care about our environment by picking up litter. Crawdads events are scheduled the 2nd Saturday morning of each month. The next Crawdads Cleanup will be Saturday, July 14 from 9-11 a.m. Volunteers will meet on Big Bear Court for a cleanup of Bear Creek Trail and creek.
Family Fun Fest– Family Fun Fest is a series of five themed festivals with activities and entertainment for the whole family. Volunteers are needed to help supervise inflatables and may be assigned others tasks. Volunteers are needed from 5:45-8:30 p.m. at Cosmo Park (1615 Business Loop 70 West)-Burford Shelter on July 18, August 15 and September 19.
Wacky Water Games– In conjunction with the East Neighborhood BBQ, will be the Wacky Water Games. Volunteers are needed on Saturday, July 28 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. and 3:15-5:15 p.m. to assist with event setup/tear down and to help manage a water game at Indian Hills Park, 5009 Aztec Blvd.
Special Olympics is looking for volunteers to help with the following sports:
- Softball will be held on Mondays and Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. at the Softball Field at Again Street Park, 1200 Again St., starting on June 18 through September 25.
- Bocce will be held on Tuesdays, from 6-7 p.m. at West Middle School, 401 Clinkscales Rd., starting on July 10 through September 25.
- Golf will be held on Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. at the L.A. Nickell Golf Course at Cosmo Park, 1615 Business Loop 70 West starting on July 12 through September 27.
- Tennis will be held on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Tennis Court 6 at Cosmo Park, 1615 Business Loop 70 West, starting on July 18 through September 26.
If you are looking for an exceptional volunteer experience, please contact Jessica Sida. Volunteers must commit to the entire season and have a Class A Application on file.
Blue Thunder Track Team is looking for Assistant Track Coaches to help guide and instruct the young men and women in their continuous pursuit at their craft! Practices will begin in early April and typically run on Tuesdays/Thursday from 6-7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10-11:30 a.m. Volunteer coaches will need to be at least 21 years old or older, have a passion for working with youth and must be able to participate in a background screening. For more information, contact Camren Cross at (573) 874-6378 or Camren.Cross@CoMo.gov.
The Douglass Youth Baseball League is looking for several volunteers to serve as Head Coach, Assistant Coach, Umpire and Board Member for this upcoming season. Practices will begin in early May with coaching clinics starting in late April. If you love baseball and have a passion for working with youth then we are looking for a volunteer like you! Volunteers must be at least 21 years old or older and participate in a background screening. For more information, contact Caleb Floyd at (573) 817-5077 or Caleb.Floyd@CoMo.gov.
Smaller Ballers is basketball program for youth ages 4-7 where they will learn the fundamentals of basketball. We are looking for dedicated individuals who will be able to commit to one or both sessions. Volunteer coaches will need to be at least 21 years old or older, have a passion for working with youth and must be able to participate in a background screening.
Date: Wednesdays: Jun 6-Jul 18 5:45-6:45 p.m.; Wednesdays: Jun 6-Jul 18 7-8 p.m.; *No class 7/4 For more information, contact Caleb Floyd at Caleb.Floyd@CoMo.gov or (573) 817-5077.
Moonlight Hoops is a Youth Basketball League for boys and girls ages 12-17. Our Parks and Recreation Department is looking for volunteers to serve as referees on weekdays between 7-10:30 p.m.starting on Monday, June 11 ; must be 18 years old or older, physically able to stand for long periods of time, must have strong basketball knowledge and prior refereeing experience is strongly preferred. All games are located at the Douglass Park Basketball Courts-400 N. Providence Rd. For more information, contact Caleb Floyd at Caleb.Floyd@CoMo.gov.
Litter Event Leaders 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!
Columbia Parks & Recreation Community Recreation Program has several volunteer opportunities including:
- We are looking for piano instructors and guitar instructors!!
- Foreign Language Instructors: Share your foreign language skills with children and/or adults – 3 program choices available, great opportunity to change someone’s life! E-mail Mary Dewey to volunteer or call 817-5077. This activity will continue again in the fall. You do not have to be an expert, just willing to teach (instructional materials are provided) and confident.
- The Armory Science Klub (ASK) is looking for a teacher to work with young scientists. Projects may include: making volcanoes, discovering chemical reactions, launching rockets, etc. Experiments will vary each session.
- The Sho-Me Sho-Stoppers are looking for dance instructors! If you have the skills and energy for this amazing opportunity, contact Mary Dewey with Community Recreation in Parks & Recreation.
- Hoppers Double Dutch Team is looking for a Double Dutch instructor! If you enjoy double dutch/jump rope then contact Mary Dewey to find out how to get started!
- Share YOUR special skill through Community Recreation! If you have a talent or passion that you’d like to share with kids, teens, adults or seniors/boomers but don’t see it listed here, let us know! Contact us to share your idea.
Getabout Columbia a project of Columbia Parks & Recreation has opportunities for Trail Ride Leaders and Education Campaign Assistants.
The City’s Volunteer Program and the Stormwater Education Program are partnering on a volunteer program to allow residents to adopt a rain garden
Graffiti Removal: Neighborhoods and individuals are invited to adopt public areas that are frequently tagged with graffiti.
Student/Internship projects: We have a variety of semester (or longer!) projects ideal for students including sidewalk snow removal and recycling education. Contact us to learn more!
Board & Commission Openings – There are many great ways to serve our City!
Office of Neighborhood Services
View our Event Calendar to see the many opportunities for volunteers.
Complete a volunteer application, you can fill it out online, or print out and mail it to us. Our address is Volunteer Programs, City of Columbia, P.O. Box 6015, Columbia, MO 65205.
Office Location Information:
We are located at 701 E. Broadway, in City Hall. We are part of the Office of Neighborhood Services, in the Community Development Department. Our office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Because we have a small staff we recommend calling before you make a trip to our office. We look forward to your visit!
Volunteer Guide for new and existing volunteers
What is Volunteer Columbia?
Volunteer Columbia connects citizens who want to serve with city staff and departments who have opportunities to help! The mission of the City’s Volunteer Programs is to provide valuable opportunities to build community while volunteering in city government.
Why Volunteer?
As a volunteer, you become a partner with Volunteer Columbia to implement programs that benefit you, your neighbor and the community as a whole! At the same time you can meet new people, explore new careers, stay active after retirement, or spend quality time with your family. Best yet — you’re helping others and making a difference in your community.
The City offers innovative volunteer opportunities that foster personal growth, development and satisfaction. The City will work to find a volunteer assignment that will fit both the talents and the time you want to share.
If you are interested in other volunteer opportunities with the city, e-mail us at Volunteer@CoMo.gov or call 874-7499. Volunteer opportunities exist in every department and together we’ll find the right one for you.
View Budget Information for this Department.
Volunteer Columbia!
City of Columbia
Community Development Department
Office of Neighborhood Services ~ Volunteer Programs
P.O. Box 6015
701 E. Broadway – 5th floor
Columbia, MO 65205
(573) 874-7499
Volunteer@CoMo.gov
6-21-18