Needs From: Volunteer OBX

We're seeking local volunteers to help staff the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Rodanthe. Volunteers will greet and provide information about local refuges, walking trails, wildlife, programs and events, and answer guest's questions. Volunteers may work independently or be paired with another volunteer. Responsibilities include opening/closing the visitor center, answering phones, using a cash register for the visitor center gift shop, and providing educational content. Birding and other wildlife knowledge is a plus! Please reach out for further information.

We're seeking local volunteers to help staff our National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Manteo. Volunteers will greet and provide information about local refuges, wildlife, programs and events, and answer guest's questions. Volunteers may work independently or be paired with another volunteer. Responsibilities include opening/closing the visitor center, answering phones, using a cash register for the visitor center gift shop, and providing educational content. Please reach out for further information.

Ready to get out in the sunshine and have some fun? Join us at the Town of Manteo Rodney "Crow" Murray Spring Litter Pick-Up on Saturday, May 16th at George Washington Creef Park. We will start at 8:45 AM with some yummy donuts to get that little "spring" in your step before heading off with friends and family to help our community continue to shine bright!

Event held in the honor of Rodney “Crow” Murray, a long-time Town of Manteo employee.

Celebrate Independence Day—1850s style—at Island Farm! On Friday, July 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the Farm will welcome visitors for a lively historic holiday featuring musket fire, traditional games, and a public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Island Farm will be bustling with energy and celebration, and we invite volunteers to help bring this special day to life in the following roles:

Chicken Tender
Volunteers will provide scratch feed to visitors and offer guidance on how to safely feed and interact with our friendly farm chickens.

Craftsman
Paper hats were a popular and accessible form of festive headwear in 19th-century America, often worn during patriotic celebrations, parades, and community gatherings. Creating paper hats reflects the ingenuity and hands-on craftsmanship of the era, using simple materials to mark special occasions. Volunteers will assist staff and visitors in making paper hats, offering a fun, family-friendly activity that connects creativity with historical tradition.

Bubble Blowing
Using our special bubble wands, volunteers will help visitors create bubbles up to 15 feet long. This role includes demonstrating bubble techniques and assisting younger visitors as they learn to use the wands and enjoy a bit of old-fashioned outdoor fun.

All activities will take place outdoors. Volunteers should bring a snack, wear close-toed shoes, and bring a reusable water bottle. Feel free to bring any additional items that help make your time at Island Farm festive and enjoyable.

Volunteer Shifts:

8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

11:45 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Three volunteers are needed for the morning shift and three for the afternoon shift. Please arrive promptly to meet with staff and receive a brief site orientation before the event begins.

All volunteer roles offer the opportunity to wear historic clothing, or an Island Farm t-shirt will be provided (and yours to keep). If you are interested in costuming for this event, please email the Administrative Coordinator.

Admission to the event is included with your volunteer contribution—blow bubbles, feed chickens, and make paper hats as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday!

Where will activities take place?
All activities will take place outdoors.

Are volunteer shifts family-friendly?
Yes. Volunteer shifts are family-friendly. All volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a legal adult.

Are volunteer shifts accessible for those with mobility challenges?
Yes. All volunteer roles can be performed while seated and can be adapted for individuals with mobility challenges. Please email the Administrative Coordinator for additional details.

The Outer Banks Relief Foundation is excited to invite volunteers who enjoy being out in the community to help represent OBRF at local events throughout the year.

These opportunities might look like attending a concert, comedy show, resource fair, school event, or creative workshop. No two events are quite the same, and new opportunities pop up often.

By joining this volunteer group, you’ll be part of a friendly, caring community that shows up for our neighbors and helps spread the word about how OBRF supports local families when unexpected tragedy strikes.

If this sounds like a good fit for you, please sign up here to be added to a special email list for community event opportunities with the Outer Banks Relief Foundation.

What volunteering may include:

Picking up supplies from the Relief Foundation office

Setting up a simple information table at the event

Attending the event and engaging with the community

Thanking the event host on behalf of OBRF

Returning supplies to the Relief Foundation office

Thank you for considering this opportunity and for being part of the work that helps our community care for one another.

Tater Day takes place at Island Farm on Wednesday, June 17 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Come learn about all aspects of the harvest and cooking of a quintessential staple crop: the Irish potato! Volunteers have opportunities to get down and dirty with the following roles: potato digging in the garden along with our historical interpreters (opportunity for historic dress available) and frying potatoes with staff in the cookhouse for visitors to sample. Both roles provide the opportunity for historic dress, or an Island Farm t-shirt will be provided (to keep)! Volunteer with Island Farm to learn about the historic foodways of Roanoke Island and cultural traditions practiced throughout the year.

Volunteer shift(s) are 8:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. OR 11:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Please bring a snack, work gloves (if desired), close-toed shoes, a reusable water bottle, and weather-appropriate clothing (a hat and sunglasses are recommended). We’ll provide everything else you need for a productive and enjoyable day on the farm.