Thank you for your interest in our work!
People interested in supporting Muddy Sneakers are encouraged to include our program in their annual giving and are able to volunteer as local ambassadors for our program, assist schools as on-call chaperones, and help at outreach and fundraising events. Outreach is a key element of our work, and volunteers can help raise awareness of the importance of getting kids outside and the myriad benefits that arise from learning in an outdoor setting.
Muddy Sneakers is seeking volunteers who could serve in the following capacities:
Become a Muddy Sneakers Volunteer Chaperone
Chaperoning is the most popular option for interested volunteers. Their willingness and availability means that our partnering schools who have fewer non-teacher chaperone volunteers are able to join us on expeditions. Volunteer chaperones will have to go through background checks and will be coordinated by our field office for scheduling.
Volunteers are welcome to chaperone or shadow Muddy Sneakers’ expeditions and experience the magic of being in the field.
Shadow an expedition
Community members who have come out to shadow or chaperone Muddy Sneakers field expeditions often rave about watching children’s curiosity and confidence bloom while exploring nature. Seeing our expert naturalists lead students in hands-on science experiments among North Carolina’s gorgeous forests, mountains, and waterways can be a life-changing experience.
Staff an event
Sign up for a shift at one of the many events where Muddy Sneakers has an informational booth, both in Western North Carolina and the Piedmont.
Offer a staff development workshop
Muddy Sneakers holds staff trainings throughout the year, and we are always looking for guest speakers to offer professional development to our field staff. If you have expertise pertaining to one of our expedition topics for fifth-graders or some other area of the experiential education field that relates to our work, please be in touch. We would love to set up a workshop as part of our staff training/continuing education.
Organize a fundraiser
Host an event at your home as a way to help spread the word about Muddy Sneakers’ work.
Connect with local businesses
If you have connections with local businesses who might provide support for Muddy Sneakers, particularly those who might be interested in becoming a corporate sponsor, we would love to be in touch.
Ready to apply? Click here to submit an application. We are currently accepting applications for our Western North Carolina Field Office located in Brevard, NC and our Piedmont North Carolina Field Office located in Salisbury, NC.
Stay in the loop about upcoming events by following us on Facebook! For more information about volunteer opportunities, email info@muddysneakers.org or call 828-862-5560.
Thank you! Because of our community of supporters, Muddy Sneakers is teaching thousands of children about the complexity of and gifts from nature, sowing seeds of gratitude and a sense of stewardship in our students that can last a lifetime.