⭐️ The first cohort of TVOP Volunteers have begun programming in their local communities! ⭐️
Volunteer with us!
Once trained, TVOP Volunteers join a network of dozens of LGBTQ+ outdoor leaders across the country. From day hikes to indoor climbing events, our volunteers are passionate about building queer and trans community right in their own backyards.
The volunteer program origin story
Like most things at TVOP, the volunteer program started as an idea with one simple question: how do we bring more queer people together in the outdoors? From that idea in 2018 (and with a little planning), the volunteer program was off and running!
We opened applications and launched the initial season in 2019. Unfortunately, we had an unforeseen challenge; the global pandemic. With the safety and health of our community always being at the forefront of our operations, we paused our volunteer program. Don’t worry, every great story has a conflict. Turning point, incoming!
The Volunteer Program Reimagined
Once we had a better understanding of how to handle the health and safety of our volunteers and participants, we decided it was time to relaunch the Volunteer Program.
In 2022 we reinvigorated our volunteer program from 2019 - but with a twist! What used to be just day hikes is now open to many outdoor recreation activities, including indoor climbing, family picnics, nature photography strolls, and more. With so many wonderful ways to recreate outdoors and be in community with one another, we wanted to empower our volunteers to build community in nature in ways that reflect their skills and passions.
How do we do that? Through our Queer Wilderness Leadership Training, of course!
About QWLT
Part of reestablishing our Volunteer Program meant a complete overhaul of the way we brought our leaders up on the TVOP way. Thus - our Queer Wilderness Leadership Training was born. During this four-day adventure, to-be volunteers were trained in LGBTQ+-centric Wilderness First Aid, diversity and inclusion justice in the outdoors, what it means to be a TVOP Brand Ambassador and more!
QWLT brings together all TVOP leaders - including our amazing crew of full- and part-time instructors. This training provides a rare and ultimately magical occurrence: every TVOPer, together at Basecamp, for an entire weekend. Epic! Creating a skill-sharing environment between instructors, volunteers, and TVOP staff means everyone is better equipt to get out there and start leading adventures wherever they go.
QWLT occurs each spring on a yearly basis. Travel stipends to and from our Basecamp location in Vermont can be provided to any TVOP volunteer who needs it, no questions asked. We fund QWLT with our pool of donations - if you’d like to help us train next year’s cohort, please consider making a donation through the button below, and thank you!
Volunteer Requirements
All TVOP Volunteers must be Wilderness First Aid certified, and attend QWLT on a bi-annual basis beginning in the first year of their acceptance into the program. Once certified and trained, a TVOP volunteer will be asked to host at least 6 day events per year.
Interested folks should apply when applications open in early Fall - sign up for our newsletter to stay current on when to apply. Still want to get involved? Great! Join us alone or with friends on a hike in your area, or come on an overnight trip with us. We’d love to meet you.
Find a TVOP volunteer near you!
To better serve our nationwide LGBTQ+ community, we’ve hand-selected our volunteer pool to reach far and wide. Split up by region, you can use the map below to identify a TVOP Volunteer near you. Going to a volunteer-led event is a great way to get involved! Don’t see a volunteer in your area? Help us narrow the gaps - consider applying to our next volunteer cohort!
Places You Can Find Us
Maine - 1
Massachusetts - 3
Vermont - 1
New York - 2
Maryland - 2
Virginia - 1
Georgia - 2
Tennessee - 1
Michigan - 1
Minnesota - 2
Arkansas - 1
Colorado - 3
California - 2
APPLY
Thanks for your interest in joining the TVOP team!
Currently, applications for our 2023 volunteer cohort are closed. Applications will reopen in early fall, 2023. Follow us on social media or join our newsletter to be first-to-know when applications reopen!
Got questions? Reach out!
