Volunteer Onboarding
Volunteer Opportunities
Various Construction projects
Building a log cabin for food-pantry storage
Growing food in our permaculture garden
Harvesting and processing wild and cultivated food and herbs
Building a mushroom wall
Trail maintenance and groundskeeping
Road maintenance
Tree work
And more!
If you are interested in helping out with any of these projects, please write an email to [email protected] to inquire about our current volunteer needs, and detailing your interest and experience in a specific volunteer project. We also need to know if you have any physical limitations such as health conditions, injuries, or allergies, that may affect which projects you can safely assist us with.
All volunteers must also sign this waiver ahead of your visit: https://arc38.org/release/
Volunteer FAQ
Who can volunteer?
Anyone.
When can I volunteer?
The timing of your visit will depend on your schedule, as well as the needs of ARC, based on which projects we currently need assistance with. Please give ARC’s ground staff at least one week’s notice if you’re interested in coming to volunteer on a specific date. It’s best if you can be flexible!
What does volunteering involve?
Volunteering can involve any number of tasks and projects. ARC has ongoing projects such as trail maintenance, brush clearing, farm and garden work, and general maintenance of the property, as well as many larger projects that we need more hands on-deck to help with.
Always follow instructions from a staff member leading the project you are helping with.
Always ask questions if you are confused or unclear or anything!
You may need to lift heavy objects.
You may be exposed to poison ivy
You may encounter biting bugs (ticks, mosquitos, spiders etc),
You may have to face any inclement weather we experience on the mountain that day.
What do volunteers need to bring with them?
If you come to ARC 38, you must be radically SELF-RELIANT! You will need to camp, and bring everything you need to take care of yourself while you are at ARC, and take everything you bring with you when you leave. We are still in the process of building amenities for staff and visitors. This means we cannot provide many resources for volunteers at this time. It is your responsibility to uphold The 5 Pillars of Sustainability:
The 5 Pillars of Sustainability
Water: You will need to bring your own drinking, and bathing water as we do not have a reliable water source at this time.
Food: You will need to supply all your own food for your visit to ARC.
Shelter: If you have arranged to stay overnight on ARC land, you will need your own shelter and sleeping space. Bring a tent, sleeping bag, etc. Any RVs or Vans on the land will require advance notice and consent from the staff.
Energy: ARC 38 is currently off-grid. You will need a way to charge your phone, tools, etc. That may mean a generator, inverter, battery banks, or your car charging ports. (p.s. There’s no WiFi and some cell phone providers do not have service at ARC so be prepared to be disconnected while you are here).
Waste Management: Bring garbage bags to remove your own trash and recycling. Food waste may be burned (for garden ash) or otherwise composted (in a biodigester) by ARC staff, please check in with someone on the ground about what to do with food scraps. Do not throw food into the woods. Leave no trace! For human waste, we have a port-a-john on site for staff and guests.
Before you arrive:
Please review the ARC 38 Etiquette.
Please sign this waiver.
Review the ARC Radical Self-Reliance Packing List:
ARC Radical Self-Reliance Packing List:
Absolute Essentials for All Visitors:
Mask: The land can get very dusty, Have available a mask, bandana, scarf, or other facial covering.
Work gloves: Many of the tasks would be hard on bare hands.
Appropriate footwear: Comfortable hiking/work shoes
Garbage bags: Bring plastic bags to dispose of all your waste (Remember to leave no trace!)
Weather appropriate clothing: Remember rain can come just about anytime. And the temperature can drop quickly.
Insect repellant: for ticks, mosquitos, etc.
Food and Water:
Water: bring at least a gallon per person per day
Plan every meal: if you do so you won’t end up hungry or with a bunch of left-over food
Portable foods: Snack bars, trail mix, dried fruit, jerky, peanut butter
Reusable mess kit: Cup, plate, utensils – you will need to wash your own dishes with water you supply.
Camp/Overnight Sleeping Gear:
Shelter: Tent, car camping, cargo van, camper/RV. Please tell ARC staff prior to arrival if you plan to bring a camper as we need to confirm whether we can accommodate it.
Bedding: Bring a warm sleeping bag, extra blankets, and pillow(s) – temps can drop to below freezing.
Light: Bring a headlamp, LED lantern or light (battery operated)
Bungee cords
Rope
Cook Stove
Stove gas
Lighter and/or waterproof matches
Reusable cups and plates
Reusable eating utensils
Pots, pans, biodegradable dish soap, scrubber
Small tub to wash
Rain gear: poncho, warm/waterproof clothes
Toiletries Bag: toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving stuff, soap, shampoo, lotion, other hygiene products
Towels: bring extra because they can get muddy)
Toilet paper
Lotion
Sunblock and aloe
Extras:
Generator or inverter to power electronics
Car charger for your phone and/or battery packs
Extension cords and power strips (if you are taking a generator).
Extra batteries for your flashlights, etc.
Folding table (for cooking, etc).
Sun shower bag (the portable solar camping type).
