Schools
School field programs
Outdoor learning days that align with grade-level standards — gardens, watersheds, wildlife, camp cooking. K–8 focus, custom to your calendar.
Get Involved
Show up for a kid, a trail, or a neighbor.
VAF runs on the people who show up — individuals, schools, and Central Valley businesses. Pick the path that fits you.
For Individuals
Lead a hike. Mentor a kid. Share what you love.
Every event needs about one adult volunteer for every four kids. Pick the role that fits your time and skills — we'll match you to an upcoming date. No experience required; we'll train you.
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Trail Leader
Lead a hike or campout
Guide a small group along a marked trail, teach kids to read a map, and set the pace. Best for folks comfortable on foot for 2–4 hours. First-aid certification helpful but not required — we cover it in training.
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Mentor
Mentor kids on the trail
Walk alongside first-time campers, hikers, and gardeners. Answer questions, keep an eye on stragglers, share what you know about the plants, birds, and hills. This is the highest-impact role we have.
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Event Crew
Help at check-in and setup
Meet families at the trailhead, hand out water and snacks, help load and unload gear, run sign-in. Great for folks who want to help without needing to lead a group. 2–3 hours per event.
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Skill Share
Teach what you love
Beekeeper, gardener, forager, birder, backpacker, mechanic, cook, storyteller? Come teach a workshop. We build the day around your skill and audience. Half-day or full-day commitment.
Sign up to volunteer
Fill this out and we'll reach out within a few days with upcoming dates and a quick intro call. No commitment — say yes when the date works, pass when it doesn't.
What happens next
- Within a few days: Patrick or Jeff will reach out to say hi and learn more about you.
- Intro call (15 min): We answer your questions, share upcoming dates, and talk logistics.
- First event: Shadow an experienced volunteer. No pressure — you learn by doing.
- After that: Say yes to dates that work, pass on the ones that don't. Show up when you can.
For Organizations & Schools
Bring your whole community outside.
Schools, churches, youth groups, and civic partners can co-host a VAF program day with their own community. We handle the logistics; you bring the people.
Youth Groups
Group campouts & hikes
Church youth groups, scout troops, and community youth orgs — we run the campout, teach the skills, and handle permits and safety.
Civic Partners
Public-lands service days
Co-host a creek clean-up, native planting, or trail maintenance day with your organization's volunteers. Great for team-building days.
For Local Businesses
Sponsor a season, a program, or a piece of gear.
Central Valley businesses can sponsor a specific program, season, or gear fund. Sponsors are featured on-site at events, on our website, and in our annual impact report.
Program
Program sponsorships
Fund an entire program series — Kids' Garden Club, Family Hikes, or a Season of Campouts. Named recognition at every event.
Gear
Gear & transportation
Buy the tents, sleeping bags, life vests, and shuttle rides that make free programs possible. High-visibility, direct-impact sponsorship.
In-Kind
Matching & in-kind
Match your team's donations, contribute goods (food, water, equipment), or offer employee volunteer days. Every level counts.
FAQ
Common questions
Do I need outdoor experience?
Nope. If you can walk 2–3 miles and want to help kids have a good day outside, we can train the rest.
How often will I be asked to volunteer?
As often as you say yes. We run 1–2 events a month right now. You decide which ones fit.
Do you run background checks?
Yes — for anyone working directly with youth we run a standard background check before your first event. We cover the cost.
I only have a specific skill to share. Is that useful?
Very. Some of our best events are built around a single volunteer's expertise. Tell us what you know.
Can I bring my kids?
Yes. Many of our volunteers volunteer alongside their own kids. It's a good thing.
Are your programs really free for families?
Yes. Participation is free at the point of service for every family. Donations, sponsorships, and grants cover the cost of gear, guides, permits, and transportation.
How do I bring VAF to my school or group?
Use the partner form on our contact page. We'll set up a call, understand your community, and design a program day around your calendar.
Do you need board members or committee members?
Yes — especially for our program, fundraising, and stewardship committees. Reach out through the contact form and mention you're interested in a leadership role.
A note on our status
Valley Adventure Foundation is a California nonprofit corporation (Entity No. B20260362988). Federal 501(c)(3) status is pending IRS review. Volunteering and partnerships are not affected by that status — it just means donations may not yet be tax-deductible. See Impact & Financials for details.