Let’s work together
At the Outdoor Arts & Recreation Society (OARS), volunteers are the heart of what makes our mission possible.
We are building more than an outdoor recreation destination. We are creating a welcoming, inclusive community space where people of all ages and abilities can connect with nature, learn new skills, explore the outdoors, and participate in meaningful experiences.
Whether you enjoy working outdoors, building things, gardening, organizing events, connecting with people, or working behind the scenes, there is a place for you at OARS.
Some opportunities require a few hours outdoors, while others can be completed remotely and on your own schedule. We welcome individuals, families, skilled tradespeople, students, community groups, and anyone who wants to contribute their time and talents.
Current volunteer opportunities
Groundskeeping & Property Maintenance
Help us keep our 50-acre property beautiful, safe, and welcoming for visitors. Tasks include picking up litter, mowing assistance, trimming trees and hedges, removing brush, and general property maintenance.
Location: OARS property, Cuba, NY
Commitment: Weekly to biweekly, spring through fall.
Age: 18+
Skills: Familiarity with basic yard tools and outdoor maintenance.
Capacity: 4 volunteers.
Trail Clearing & Stewardship
Help create and maintain welcoming outdoor pathways by clearing brush, removing fallen branches, raking trails, moving small stones, and keeping trails accessible and enjoyable for visitors.
Trail stewardship is an opportunity to spend time outdoors while directly supporting OARS' long-term goal of expanding accessible outdoor recreation.
Location: OARS property, Cuba, NY
Commitment: Seasonal, weekly to biweekly, spring through fall.
Age: 18+
Skills: Comfortable using basic yard tools and working outdoors.
Capacity: 4 volunteers.
Marketing, Communications & Community Outreach
Help more people discover OARS! We are looking for a creative, organized volunteer to help coordinate community outreach and spread the word about our programs, events, and mission.
Responsibilities include creating flyers and promotional materials, managing social media content, coordinating digital and print advertising, and distributing information throughout surrounding communities.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone with an interest in graphic design, communications, marketing, or social media.
Location: Remote
Commitment: Flexible, self-paced throughout the year, with occasional deadlines.
Age: 16+
Skills: Social media, graphic design, digital publishing, and familiarity with design software.
Provided by OARS: Consumable advertising and printing expenses.
Capacity: 2 volunteers.
Sensory Garden Development
Help us build a sensory garden from the ground up!
We are developing an outdoor space designed to encourage exploration, discovery, and connection with nature through plants, textures, colors, fragrances, and accessible gardening experiences.
Volunteers will help with everything from clearing the site and preparing garden spaces to constructing raised beds, installing fencing, planting, and ongoing garden maintenance.
We welcome gardeners, landscapers, carpenters, construction volunteers, and anyone who enjoys working with their hands.
Location: OARS property, Cuba, NY
Commitment: Weekly to biweekly, spring through fall. Project start date to be determined.
Age: 18+
Skills: Gardening, landscaping, construction, carpentry, or plant knowledge.
Equipment: Shovels, post-hole diggers, backhoe, construction and gardening tools.
Capacity: Up to 20 volunteers.
SCHOOL & YOUTH GROUPS WELCOME WITH SUPERVISION!!!
Fundraising & Special Events
Help make our programs and future projects possible!
As a nonprofit, fundraising is essential to maintaining our property, keeping programs accessible, and developing new facilities and opportunities for the community.
Volunteers can assist with planning and organizing fundraising events, coordinating event-day activities, connecting with local businesses and potential sponsors, identifying funding opportunities, and helping us reach new supporters.
Whether you enjoy event planning, community networking, marketing, or organizing behind the scenes, your contributions can make a lasting difference.
Location: On-site and remote
Commitment: Flexible and seasonal throughout the year.
Age: 18+
Skills: Event planning, marketing, networking, community outreach, and fundraising experience are helpful.
Capacity: 8 to 10 volunteers.
Membership Development & Outreach
Help grow the OARS community, one member at a time!
Membership contributions help support the ongoing costs of keeping our property open, accessible, and available to the public. Every membership dollar helps sustain the space and the experiences we offer.
We need volunteers who enjoy connecting with people, spreading the word about our organization, identifying potential members, and helping grow our membership base.
Responsibilities may include community outreach, identifying prospective members, sharing membership information, organizing membership campaigns, and helping maintain membership communications.
This is a remote, flexible opportunity for people who enjoy connecting with their communities.
Location: Remote
Commitment: Ongoing, flexible throughout the year.
Age: 18+
Skills: Organization, outreach, communication, and social skills. Computer, printer, and internet access helpful.
Capacity: 5 to 10 volunteers.
Accessible Equipment Storage Shed Construction
Calling all builders, carpenters, and skilled tradespeople!
We have an important construction project underway. OARS has acquired an Extreme Motus all-terrain wheelchair that will be available FREE of charge to visitors who need additional mobility assistance while exploring our property.
Now we need a permanent, secure storage shelter to protect this valuable equipment and keep it readily accessible.
We are looking for volunteers with construction experience, carpentry skills, concrete experience, and general building knowledge to help us construct the storage shelter. Additional storage structures for tools and equipment are also part of our longer-term plans.
Whether you can contribute professional skills, construction experience, or an extra set of hands, we would love to hear from you.
Location: OARS property, Cuba, NY
Commitment: Spring through fall. Project scheduling to be coordinated.
Age: 18+
Skills: Carpentry, construction, concrete work, and general building.
Equipment: Saws, hammers, levels, sawhorses, and other construction tools.
Capacity: 5 to 10 volunteers.
Snowmobile Trail Groomer: Snowboard & Cross-Country Ski Trails
Help us keep winter recreation accessible and enjoyable at OARS! We are looking for a dependable volunteer to groom and maintain our designated winter trails for snowboarding and cross-country skiing.
Using your own snowmobile, you will help pack and groom snow, maintain trail conditions, and prepare the trails for visitors to enjoy throughout the winter season. OARS will cover the cost of gasoline used for approved trail-grooming activities.
Location: OARS property, Cuba, NY
Commitment: As needed during the winter season, depending on snowfall and trail conditions.
Age: 18+ preferred
Skills: Experience operating a snowmobile, familiarity with winter trail conditions, and the ability to work independently.
Equipment: Volunteer must provide their own snowmobile. OARS will cover fuel costs and provide the groomer.
Capacity: 1 volunteer.
You don't have to be an expert to make a difference.
We appreciate volunteers with professional skills and those who simply have the willingness to lend a hand. Some projects require specialized experience, while others are opportunities to learn, participate, and work alongside others.
A few things to know before volunteering:
Flexible opportunities: Not every volunteer role requires a weekly commitment. We have project-based, seasonal, and remote opportunities.
Community involvement: Individuals, families, businesses, civic organizations, and community groups are welcome to get involved.
Skills matter: If you have a particular trade, talent, or area of expertise, let us know. We may have a project that is not yet listed.
Accessibility matters: Our mission is to create opportunities for everyone to enjoy the outdoors. Volunteer contributions help make that possible.
Making an impact: Every hour donated helps us maintain the property, expand programming, improve accessibility, and keep OARS available to the community.
