Recreation Volunteers
Join the Outdoors for All volunteer community and help make outdoor recreation accessible for people with disabilities! Seasonal opportunities range from rock climbing and mountain biking to kayaking and beyond. Many programs run as a series, but volunteers are encouraged to sign up for dates based on personal availability. We update this page regularly, so check back often to see what we are up to and get involved.
Learn to Ride
Learn to Ride is a skill-building program for youth and young adults learning to ride a two-wheeled bicycle. Lessons focus on safety, balance, steering, braking, and spatial awareness, with advanced topics such as shifting, group riding, and traffic laws as appropriate. Volunteers work one-on-one with riders who may have intellectual, developmental, cognitive, or physical disabilities. Using established games and activities, volunteers help deliver safe, fun, and engaging lessons with support from Outdoors for All staff.
Each session includes three 50-minute lesson blocks. Volunteers are expected to attend all three blocks per day and may work with the same participant or different participants. Consistency is strongly encouraged, and volunteers are invited to sign up for all four weeks if possible. Bikes and helmets are available, though volunteers are encouraged to bring their own.
Dates: Saturdays, April 4, 11, 18, 25
Time: 9:30 AM - 1:15 PM
Location: Outdoors for All Headquarters – Bellevue, WA
Requirements:
- Age 16+
- Able to sit and ride on a Strider or pedal bike for up to 3 hours
- Able to ride in varied weather conditions unless deemed unsafe
- Helmet required while riding
- Completion of all required trainings
Training:
- In‑person training: One session required (see dates below)
- Wednesday, March 25 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM | Outdoors for All Headquarters
- Wednesday, April 1 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM | Outdoors for All Headquarters
- Complete online training before your first day: Enroll Here
- New Volunteer Orientation – first-time volunteers
- Participant Protection Policies – required annually
- Disability Awareness – required once
Gravel Biking
Gravel Biking is an off-road cycling program designed to build riding skills, endurance, and social connections. Volunteers support adult participants (ages 18+) who can independently ride a bike or trike on varied terrain and may have intellectual, developmental, cognitive, or physical disabilities.
Rides range from 5–12 miles on flat or railroad-grade trails at a casual pace. Participants may use standard bikes, adaptive trikes, handcycles, or tandems. Volunteers may work one-on-one or with small groups. Bikes and helmets are available, though volunteers are encouraged to bring their own. Drivers and vehicle chaperones may also assist as on-ride volunteers.
Dates: Sundays, April 12, 19, 26
Time:
- Gravel Biking Instructors: 8:30 AM - 12:15 PM
- Drivers and Vehicle Chaperones: 8:15 AM - 12:45 PM: Arrive at Bellevue office, pick up participants at Eastgate Safeway at 8:30 AM, transport to and from program location (Snoqualmie Valley Trail or Palouse to Cascades Trail).
Location: Varies – Snoqualmie Valley Trail and Palouse to Cascade Trail
Requirements:
- Age 18+
- Able to ride at least 15 miles at ~10 mph for up to 3 hours
- Comfortable riding in varied weather conditions
- Able to independently (or with minimal assistance) set up and transfer onto a bike
- Able to coach participants on skill development and safety
- Able to troubleshoot minor bike issues (e.g., chain derailment, tube replacement)
Training:
- In‑person training: One session required (see dates below)
- Wednesday, March 25 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM | Outdoors for All Headquarters
- Wednesday, April 1 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM | Outdoors for All Headquarters
- Complete online training before your first day: Enroll Here
- New Volunteer Orientation – first-time volunteers
- Participant Protection Policies – required annually
- Disability Awareness – required once
Gravel Biking is an off-road cycling program designed to build riding skills, endurance, and social connections. Volunteers support adult participants (ages 18+) who can independently ride a bike or trike on varied terrain and may have intellectual, developmental, cognitive, or physical disabilities.
Rides range from 5–12 miles on flat or railroad-grade trails at a casual pace. Participants may use standard bikes, adaptive trikes, handcycles, or tandems. Volunteers may work one-on-one or with small groups. Bikes and helmets are available, though volunteers are encouraged to bring their own. Drivers and vehicle chaperones may also assist as on-ride volunteers.
Dates: Sundays, May 3, 10, 17
Time:
- Gravel Biking Instructors: 8:30 AM - 12:15 PM
- Drivers and Vehicle Chaperones: 8:15 AM - 12:45 PM: Arrive at Bellevue office, pick up participants at Eastgate Safeway at 8:30 AM, transport to and from program location (Snoqualmie Valley Trail or Palouse to Cascades Trail).
Location: Varies – Snoqualmie Valley Trail and Palouse to Cascade Trail
Requirements:
- Age 18+
- Able to ride at least 15 miles at ~10 mph for up to 3 hours
- Comfortable riding in varied weather conditions
- Able to independently (or with minimal assistance) set up and transfer onto a bike
- Able to coach participants on skill development and safety
- Able to troubleshoot minor bike issues (e.g., chain derailment, tube replacement)
Training:
- In‑person training: One session required (see dates below)
- Wednesday, March 25 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM | Outdoors for All Bellevue Office
- Wednesday, April 1 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM | Outdoors for All Bellevue Office
- Wednesday, April 29 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM | Outdoors for All Bellevue Office
- Complete online training before your first day: Enroll Here
- New Volunteer Orientation – first-time volunteers
- Participant Protection Policies – required annually
- Disability Awareness – required once
Group Programs
Sign-Up Full (No volunteer opportunities remaining).
Join us in Indoor Rock Climbing with Federal Way Inclusion. Federal Way Inclusion serves individuals with developmental or Intellectual Disabilities. This is a group who needs patience and understanding to support success while climbing.
Date: Saturday, April 4
Time: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Vertical World Lynwood
Responsibilities:
- Belay participants
Requirements:
- 18+
- Belay certified
Training:
- Complete online training before your first day: Enroll Here
- New Volunteer Orientation – first-time volunteers
- Participant Protection Policies – required annually
- Disability Awareness – required once
Join us for Indoor Rock Climbing with Seattle Children's Limb Difference. Seattle Children’s Hospital provides specialized, multidisciplinary care for children with limb differences, offering dedicated programs for hand/upper extremity and lower limb conditions. This is a family event where youth with mobility challenges can enjoy an activity with their families. Climbers will have various limb differences, including prosthetics.
Date: Sunday, May 3
Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Seattle Mountaineers
Responsibilities:
- Belay participants
Requirements:
- 18+
- Belay certified
Training:
- Complete online training before your first day: Enroll Here
- New Volunteer Orientation – first-time volunteers
- Participant Protection Policies – required annually
- Disability Awareness – required once
Join us in Indoor Rock Climbing with Navy EFMP. Navy EFMP serves military families with members who have disabilities.
Date: Saturday, May 9
Time: 10:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Location: Vertical World Lynwood
Responsibilities:
- Belay participants
Requirements:
- 18+
- Belay certified
Training:
- Complete online training before your first day: Enroll Here
- New Volunteer Orientation – first-time volunteers
- Participant Protection Policies – required annually
- Disability Awareness – required once
Bike Maintenance
Get your hands dirty with us as we prepare our bike fleet for the spring and summer! If you can change a flat tire, adjust a brake, and lube a chain – we want you! We have over 230 bikes in our fleet and winter is a great time for in-depth maintenance. You will work on a bike from start to finish, cleaning and performing safety checks, with opportunities to learn more advanced bike maintenance skills as we find issues. You will also get to know our adaptive bikes, which many people are not familiar with.
You do not need to be a “bike mechanic” for this role, but some experience working on bikes and familiarity with bike parts is a plus.
Dates:
Tuesdays:
March 3, 10, 17, 24
April 7, 14, 21, 28
Time:
10 AM - 4 PM (6 hours total; flexible based on your availability)
Email volunteer@outdoorsforall.org with your scheduling needs.
Location:
Outdoors for All Headquarters – Bellevue, WA
Requirements:
- Age 18+
- Able to work in a workshop environment with potential for loud noises, variable temperatures, non-typical smells, and other conditions that affect the senses.
- Bike mechanical skills preferred but not required.
- Familiarity with hand tools required.
Training:
- Complete online training before your first day: Enroll Here
- New Volunteer Orientation – first-time volunteers
- Participant Protection Policies – required annually
- Disability Awareness – required once
Rock Climbing
Sign-Up Full (No volunteer opportunities remaining).
Come be part of the fun at our indoor rock climbing sessions at Edgeworks Bellevue! Volunteers help belay and side‑climb alongside participants, encouraging confidence and teamwork while creating a safe, supportive, and energetic climbing environment.
Dates: Sundays, March 8, 15, 22, 29
Time: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: Edgeworks Climbing Bellevue
Requirements:
- Age 16+
- Completion of all required trainings
- Previous rock climbing and belay experience required
- Must be belay certified at Edgeworks (certification can be scheduled if needed)
- Bring your own harness and climbing shoes if available (notify staff in advance if you need to borrow equipment)
Training:
- In-person
- Sunday, March 1 | 1:00 – 3:00 PM | Edgeworks Climbing Bellevue
- Complete online training before your first day: Enroll Here
- New Volunteer Orientation – first-time volunteers
- Participant Protection Policies – required annually
- Disability Awareness – required once