Volunteer with the City of Carlsbad to enrich your community and yourself. Join the team of more than 2,000 volunteers who make Carlsbad an even better place to live. Whether you are a resident wanting to give back or a local business looking to create team building opportunities for your employees, the city has many ways to get involved.

One-time opportunities

• Special events help out at weekend city events such as the Holiday at the Rancho and EGGStravaganza.
• Trails Assist in maintaining the City of Carlsbad's beautiful trail network.

Ongoing opportunities

By helping out one or two times each week at a specific department, you become a part of the team and see the city from the inside out:

Cultural Arts
Volunteers help families get excited about art at Family Open Studios. Assist an artist/educator as they take fourth graders through the William D. Cannon Art Gallery and then encourage the budding artists to create their own art work. Sign up to volunteer with Cultural Arts.

Emergency Preparation
Given the region’s persistent threat from wildfire, and the potential risks from earthquake, pandemic flu or other natural or man-made disasters, the Carlsbad Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer program plays a key role in the City of Carlsbad’s goal to advance community safety. When large-scale incidents occur, CERTs provide neighbor-helping-neighbor assistance before the arrival of Carlsbad firefighters, police or other first responders To express your interest in joining CERT, call 442-339-2534.

Library
Carlsbad City Library’s volunteer program offers numerous ways to give back to the community. Volunteer opportunities include tutoring adults to improve their reading and writing, helping students with homework, delivering books to those who can’t get to the library and more.  Volunteers play an integral role in making Carlsbad City Library a terrific place to learn, read and connect with others. Sign up to volunteer at the library.

Parks & Recreation
Do you enjoy the outdoors or family-oriented activities? 

• Special Events - You may sign up helping families at everything from pony rides to egg hunts. Sign up to volunteer with Parks & Recreation with Special Events. 
• Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park - Do you know Carlsbad's hidden gem of a park with the style of an old California Rancho, a Hollywood connection and the omnipresent peacocks? Lead adult tours, assist school groups or greet visitors at this unique piece of Carlsbad history. Sign up to volunteer with Leo Carrillo Ranch.

Senior Center
Get involved at the bustling Senior Center by assisting in the dining room, computer room or delivering meals to home-bound seniors in Carlsbad. Those with a passion for a topic can even teach a class. Sign up to volunteer at the Senior Center.

Trails
The City of Carlsbad has nearly 50 miles of trails, supporting a healthy active lifestyle while protecting and preserving open space for residents to enjoy. Our Trails Volunteer Program teaches community members to build and maintain city trails. We educate on restoration and protection of natural habitats and open space, while promoting conservation. In 2016, there were 130 volunteers who logged nearly 2,000 service hours. Sign up to volunteer for the Trails program.