When people ask us what we need, the answer is:
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!
The Boathouse is an all-volunteer organization and our programs only work because people commit to making them work. If you’re interested in joining us, we’d love your help!
We offer a one-hour volunteer orientation session every Sunday at 11:00 am (except Aug. 10). You don’t need an appointment — just come by. All new volunteers are asked to attend an orientation session, but you can also just introduce yourself when you visit the boathouse.
Some of the benefits of volunteering at the Downtown Boathouse are:
Training Workshops: Opportunities to improve your kayaking skills, develop advanced techniques, and try out our decked kayaks.
Friends and Family Events: Participate in volunteer appreciation days, potluck meals, boathouse paddling times, and social events open to our volunteers and their guests.
Guided Trips: Join us for trips beyond the embayment to destinations around New York’s Harbor once you’ve completed skills training sessions.
Leadership Roles: Over time, volunteers can gain the skills required to lead trips and teach training workshops.
Our volunteers are our greatest resource!
What types of things do volunteers do?
Volunteers manage the registration desk, explain basic paddling skills, help select and adjust life vests, manage the flow of the line to the dock, ensure participants enter and exit the kayaks safely, oversee public paddling in the embayment, take care of the equipment, and much more.
Is there an age requirement to volunteer?
We prefer that volunteers are 18 and older but please email us at volunteer@downtownboathouse.org if you are or know youth who are interested in helping out.
Do volunteers have to be able to swim?
If you’d like to work on the dock or be out on the water you must know how to swim. But there are other tasks you can do if you’d prefer to stay on dry land. Feel free to stop by or attend a volunteer orientation if you’d like to discuss ways to help out.
What if I’m away frequently in the summer – can I still volunteer when I’m in NYC?
Definitely! During the volunteer orientation, we’ll explain how the schedule works and how you can sign up for shifts. You don’t have to commit to a consistent time, we’re happy to have your help when you’re available.