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!

 

Armory Science Club is looking for two volunteer teachers to assist with their evening science class that takes place on Thursdays, February 15-March 21 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Reach out to [email protected] or 573.817.5077 to get involved.
 
Spring Break Volunteering – Calling all youth volunteers! Join us Wednesday, March 27 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. for a spring break service day at Steinberg Playground within Cosmo Park! Join us to clean and beautify a place for fellow Columbia youth to enjoy! Volunteers (12 years old+) will be supervised by Volunteer Programs staff. Tasks will include mulching, picking up litter, and cleaning of the playground equipment. Pizza will be provided at noon to enjoy after the work is complete.

*This is a great opportunity for youth volunteers to get ready for a fun summer of Youth in Action! Youth In Action is our summer volunteer program for those 12-15 years of age.

Egg Hunt Eggstravaganzas! – Saturday, March 30 at Douglas Park (400 N. Providence) and Indian Hills Park (5009 Aztec Blvd). Join us for spring holiday fun! Volunteers will be assisting with children’s activities, games, and hiding of the eggs. Volunteers are needed for Indian Hills Park from 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

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! 

Blue Thunder Track Club 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-July, with the first practice being on April 2. For those interested in getting involved, reach out to Camren Cross at [email protected] or 573.874.6378. Visit BlueThunderTrackClub.com to learn more. 

Douglass Youth Baseball League 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] to get involved!

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 is repurposed for the public to obtain at no cost. Shifts are available from 8:00 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.

Kite Flying Day – Saturday, April 6. Volunteers are needed to assist children with putting together kites and flying them at both Douglass Park and Again Street Park. Join us to help kids have a fun spring day! Volunteers are needed for Douglass Park (400 N. Providence) from 11:45 a.m.-2:00 p.m. and Again Street Park (1200 Again Street) from 1:30-3:00 p.m. All volunteer positions have been filled, thank you!!

TreeKeepers – Current and new TreeKeeper volunteers are invited to join us for the tree wrap on Friday, April 19 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the Parks Management Center (1507 Business Loop 70 W) to prepare the trees for the annual Arbor Day tree giveaway. 

TreeKeeper volunteers are again needed on Saturday, April 20 for the annual tree giveaway at the Farmers Market (1769 W Ash) from 7:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. to help distribute the trees to the community.

Bike Safety Rodeo – Saturday, April 20 at Karis Church (606 Ridgeway Ave) from 9:00-11:30 a.m. Help educate Columbia youth on bike safety! Volunteers will help along the 9-step skill course for ages 3 to 16. 
 
Columbia Youth Track Meet – Saturday, April 20 at Hickman High School Track from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Volunteers are needed to assist with the start and finish lines, timing, recording, awards, and photography for this intro to track event. Join us to share the fundamentals of track and field, and cheer on youth interested in the sport! 
 
Earth Day – Sunday, April 21 at Peace Park (401 S 9th St). Volunteers are needed from 2:30-5:30 p.m. to assist with children’s activities and games at the annual Earth Day Festival. Get involved  to engage youth in sustainability awareness!
  
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 Dewey to get involved. 

Share your time with Special Olympics! To get involved email Tyler Armstrong 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 to 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 here. 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.

Saturday, April 13 – 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Meet at the Downtown Optimist Park (100 E. Forest Ave)

Sunday, April 14 – 12 p.m.-2 p.m. Meet at Nifong Park, parking lot off Nifong Blvd near Maplewood Barn. Good Deeds Day Lunch and Clean! Join us for a picnic lunch and cleanup of Nifong Park and the surrounding area! 

Saturday, May 4 – 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Meet at MBA Textbooks (2711 W. Ash)

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.  

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 necessary supplies. For more information email Jody.cook@CoMo.gov or call 573.874.6271

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 prior to assisting or leading. Workshops are held at the Compost Demonstration Site in Capen Park and at 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.