Volunteer opportunities in Ottawa

Help with greeting, merchandise, children's workshops, setup, or takedown. The festival publishes October 31-November 1. Setup or takedown dates and shift times must be confirmed with the organizer. Volunteers must be 15+. Youth volunteers must bring the completed parental permission form to their first check-in. Email info@dayofthedeadfestival.ca with your name, age, preferred date, role, and morning or evening availability; wait for a confirmed shift. Ask about school-hour signoff before starting.

Source: Official event. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Use OSEAN's official 2026 volunteer form and select the student-hours question if you need school signoff. For PumpkinFest on Sunday November 8, the form asks for availability from 8-11 AM, 11 AM-2 PM or 2-5 PM. These are availability choices, not reserved shifts or a promise of three credited hours. The public event is at Ernie Calcutt Park, 759 Mooney's Bay Place; confirm your volunteer meeting point and assigned time with OSEAN. Public event hours are not a volunteer shift. Minimum age and guardian rules are not stated; confirm these with the team before making plans. An automatic form email is not acceptance. Wait for an assigned role and time, then ask how actual completed hours will be recorded and your school form signed. No Easy 40 account is needed.

Source: Official 2026 volunteer form. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Ages 14-18 can help shape teen library services and assist with programming while earning community-involvement hours. Check the current event page for the room at Sunnyside. The library lists this as drop-in; email SunnysideBranch@BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca or visit the branch to ask about joining and any parent-permission steps. Confirm how staff record your hours.

Source: Official program. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Create bookmarks at a French-language session; materials are provided. Ages 13-18 can participate, but the library awards one community volunteer hour only to ages 14+. Log in through the library event page to register and check availability. An Easy 40 account does not register you.

Source: Official event. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

The organizer is recruiting for its November 2026 Black Bird Festival. The current volunteer form offers November 13-17 dates, role preferences and an Under 18 age option. Minimum age, guardian requirements, shift length and school-hour signing are not published; ask volunteers@ottawachildrensfestival.ca before committing. Request weekend or after-school times: service during scheduled classes does not count toward the OSSD community-involvement requirement. The public show calendar includes weekend programming at the Canadian War Museum, 1 Vimy Place, but show times are not volunteer shift times. Wait for the organizer to confirm your role, time, venue and how completed hours will be documented. Availability choices and an automatic form reply are not a booked placement. Use the current Black Bird form linked below, rather than the old application with May dates.

Source: Official 2026 volunteer form. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

The volunteer form requires ages 18+ for parade-route and road-blockade support. Arrive at the Horticulture Building, 1525 Princess Patricia Way, at 8:30 AM; the expected finish is 2 PM. The homepage describes an approximate six-hour commitment, so confirm your actual service time. Bring your paper school form to be signed there after the event: the organizer says it cannot sign digitally or after the day. Dress warmly and wait for organizer instructions after applying.

Source: Official event. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

A current Riverside South Secondary School notice invites high-school volunteers for November 20-22, 2026. Open the school notice and use the Nepean Ringette signup link there. Ask the named contact about your role, rink, exact shift, minimum age, guardian requirements and school-form signing; wait for confirmation before attending. The wider tournament calendar starts November 19, but the student volunteer call starts November 20. A tournament date is not an assigned shift, and an Easy 40 account does not apply for you.

Source: School-shared lead. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Deliver 100-300 newspapers on an assigned Sandy Hill route during a flexible four-day distribution window. Each route takes about 1-2 hours, with four distributions per year. Bring weather-appropriate clothing, good walking shoes or boots, and a large shoulder-strap bag. Ask Rich Glasgow to confirm the commitment, route, pickup details, and school-form signing before starting.

Source: Volunteer Ottawa. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Help children in Grades 1-6 with homework, reading and writing. The organizer-managed posting requires age 16+, provides training and lists a 6-12 month commitment. Apply through Volunteer Ottawa by its listed November 30, 2026 deadline. Confirm current spaces and bilingual language requirements. The title says Tuesday 5-6:30 PM while the description says 6:30-8 PM; ask the organizer to confirm the session time before planning travel. Screening includes an interview and references; under-18 applicants may need three references. Ask about guardian steps and completed school-hour signoff. An application is not acceptance.

Source: Volunteer Ottawa. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Wrap gifts to support people with developmental disabilities. Training is provided on site. The posting lists weekday evenings from 5-9 PM and weekend availability from 9:30 AM-6 PM. Ask Anne Cole about a specific shift, the minimum age, and school-form signing before attending.

Source: Volunteer Ottawa. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Help with setup, greeting, registration, food service, activities, and cleanup at community gatherings. High-school students are listed as welcome. Ask Jeff Johnson which upcoming event needs help, where to meet, and whether the organization can sign your school form; school-hour signoff is not stated.

Source: Volunteer Ottawa. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Take clear photos for cat adoption profiles, social media, and fundraising. A camera or good phone is enough. The posting mentions both high-school students and ages 16+, so under-16s should confirm eligibility with the rescue. Ask about school-hour signoff before starting.

Source: Volunteer Ottawa. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Help a coach support young robotics teams; no robotics experience is required. The organizer welcomes high-school students and says it provides a community-service-hours letter. Its paid internships are closed, but the volunteer mentor application is open year-round. In the form linked below, choose Youth mentor or Robotics coaching under ways to help, then wait for screening and a confirmed placement. A minimum age is not stated; under-18s should confirm eligibility, screening, and the session address.

Source: Official program. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Support snacks, games, workshops, and homework for children in Grades 1-6 at 5479 Osgoode Main Street. The organizer asks for a full-school-year commitment, usually 3/3:30-5:30 PM, and says this earns high-school volunteer hours. Email carley@o-ya.ca with your grade and after-school availability to ask whether places remain; wait for confirmation.

Source: Official program. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Ages 14+ can help run shows at 815 St-Laurent Boulevard. The cinema asks for at least two shows per month, September-May. Published arrival is 11 AM on Saturdays, staying through the show and take-down. For Friday evening shifts, ask the coordinator for the arrival time. Confirm your exact shift and any under-18 permission requirements with the coordinator. Open "How to apply to be a volunteer?" on the cinema page: create a cinema account, confirm your email, then submit "New Volunteer Registration" while signed in. Wait for the coordinator, reference checks, and an interview before attending a shift. Record completed time in the Volunteer Book. School forms can be signed by the coordinator or a manager.

Source: Official program. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Visit a child with special needs as a matched buddy once a week for at least six months; training is provided. The Federation placement page describes a male 15-18 buddy in Westboro, preferably Jewish, and female teen or young-adult buddies. These are match-specific preferences, not a universal age rule. Use the organizer volunteer page to ask about a suitable current match, visit length and location, screening, guardian involvement and school-hour documentation. The Federation says volunteer time can be submitted for school credit; your school decides what counts. Wait for a confirmed match before visiting.

Source: Official program. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Help younger ringette players with drills and skill development. The association lists FUN 1/2 on-ice helper signup for second-year U12-U19 players and junior-coach/on-ice signup for U16/U19 players. These are player divisions, not numeric minimum ages or an open invitation to beginners. Read the official program page, choose its relevant signup route and ask player.dev@nepeanravens.ca about eligibility, training, available teams and practice assignments. The association includes parents or guardians in direct junior-coach communications and asks coaches to sign completed high-school volunteer hours when requested. Applying does not confirm a role or schedule.

Source: Official youth program. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Ages 14+ can apply to help with therapeutic riding lessons. Training and shadowing come first; lesson support involves walking or jogging alongside riders. Arrange transportation to Greely. Use the official volunteer page to apply, then confirm youth screening, guardian requirements, available shifts and school-form signing with the coordinator. Applying does not reserve a place or guarantee school credit.

Source: Official program. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Help with cleaning, laundry and bird-food preparation. Applicants must be 16+, have up-to-date tetanus vaccination and a way to get to the centre, and commit to at least four hours weekly on the same day for at least three months. Use Apply Now on the official volunteer page; interviews depend on availability. Confirm the assigned location and shift, guardian requirements, supervision and school-form signing before starting. Applying does not guarantee acceptance or school credit.

Source: Official volunteer program. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Ask about visits, games or arts with residents. Complete the Volunteer Application and Reference Check Consent forms on the official page; under 18, also arrange the signed Parental-Guardian Consent form. Return the application and reference consent to robertienzi@stpats.ca. Wait for an interview, acceptance, TB screening and orientation before attending. The home supports graduation community hours; confirm the schedule and signing process. Police checks are required at 18+. This is an ongoing intake, not a confirmed vacancy.

Source: Official volunteer program. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Ask Volunteer Services at volunteer@perleyhealth.ca about age-appropriate recreation or supervised creative-arts help and school-hour signing. Year-round youth places are limited. Open the Youth Application, review screening requirements, then use a separate MyImpact account to apply; an Easy 40 account does not apply for you. On a phone, choose "go to Mobile Application Form" at the top of the BetterImpact application form. Only candidates selected for an interview are contacted. The intake requires references, parent-signed offence-declaration and TB screening forms, a 2.5-hour orientation, and at least three months of service. It also requires annual influenza vaccination during October-April. Orientation duration is not a promise of credited hours; confirm shift length, acceptance and current unit restrictions before attending. Summer 2027 intake is not open.

Source: Official youth program. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Ages 14+ can support residents and recreation programs; English communication is required. Expect 2-3-hour sessions, usually once or twice weekly at most, over several months. You must complete the full 60-hour commitment, even after reaching your school requirement. Email Ann Hall before applying to confirm capacity, your timeline, supervision, school-form signing, and age-appropriate screening. Onboarding can take up to two months and includes an interview, two reference letters, a police-check requirement, and orientation; ask what applies to under-18s before requesting a check. Use the home's MyImpact application only after that conversation. Shifts and hours are not guaranteed; do not arrive before acceptance.

Source: Official student program. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Ages 14+ who speak French fluently can support residents and recreation programs. Expect 2-3-hour sessions, usually once or twice weekly at most, over several months. You must complete the full 60-hour commitment, even after reaching your school requirement. Email Ann Hall before applying to confirm capacity, your timeline, supervision, school-form signing, and age-appropriate screening. Onboarding can take up to two months and includes an interview, two reference letters, a police-check requirement, and orientation; ask what applies to under-18s before requesting a check. Use Champlain's MyImpact application only after that conversation. Shifts and hours are not guaranteed; do not arrive before acceptance.

Source: Official student program. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Youth ages 14-17 can apply to help the Beaver Colony; previous Scouting experience is not needed. Meetings normally run Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30 PM, September-June, at St. Thomas More School, with outings sometimes elsewhere. The group asks volunteers for at least six hours per month, so the weekly meeting alone may not cover the commitment. Email the Group Commissioner about current places, preparation and outing time, supervision, any costs, and school-hour signoff, which is not stated. A parent or guardian registers youth volunteers through MyScouts, selecting Register as a Volunteer. Complete the interview, references, and training before attending. Scouts Canada exempts under-18 youth volunteers from police checks. Wait for approval and a confirmed schedule.

Source: Official youth role. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Help visitors use parking-payment machines and vouchers inside the museum. The main need is Thursdays, 5-7 PM, with a minimum one-hour shift and training before starting. Open the official two-page application PDF, name the Parking Support Volunteer role, select the Canadian War Museum, and email the completed form to benevole-volunteer@museedelhistoire.ca. Under-18s need parent or guardian consent on the form. This is ongoing intake, not a confirmed vacancy. Wait for acceptance and confirm an Ottawa assignment rather than Gatineau, the training date, supervision, any screening, and school-form signing; school-hour signoff is not stated.

Source: Official program. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

The House Crew helps theatre visitors with tickets, seating and directions; training is provided. Applicants must be at least 16 and commit a minimum of 50 hours over the September-June season. This is a service commitment, not a promise of 50 credited school hours. Open the official volunteer application and request a House Crew role, then wait for the volunteer team to confirm acceptance and an assigned schedule. A public application form is not a confirmed vacancy or booked shift. Under-18s should ask the coordinator about guardian consent and screening; school-form signing is not stated. Confirm the specific role, shift dates and how completed hours will be documented before starting. For questions, call the City of Ottawa Theatres Volunteer Program at 613-580-2424, extension 16071.

Source: Official House Crew program and application. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Help visitors use the virtual-reality exhibit, explain the equipment, clean headsets and assist with basic troubleshooting; training is provided. The VR Docent role requires ages 16+ and at least one four-hour shift per month. Weekend, holiday and occasional evening shifts may be available; ask for a confirmed schedule. The role asks for a Vulnerable Sector Police Check: ages 16-17 should ask the coordinator how screening works before requesting a check, and confirm any guardian requirements. Download the current application, select VR Docent Volunteer and email the completed PDF to c.friesen@diefenbunker.ca. Wait for application review and next steps. School-form signing is not stated; confirm it before starting. This is an application, not a booked placement or a promise of four credited hours. The museum says there is no public transportation from Ottawa; arrange reliable transport to Carp.

Source: Official role and application. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Help with sports practices or competitions supporting athletes with intellectual disabilities. Email volunteer_coord@specialolympicsottawa.ca to ask about a current junior role, or use the volunteer intake linked on the official page. Applying does not confirm a placement. Prepare two non-family references; under-18s should confirm parent consent, screening, and training instructions with the coordinator before requesting a police check. Confirm the venue, schedule, supervision, and school-form signing before attending; school-hour signoff is not stated.

Source: Official program. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Teens can help with special events and camps. Complete the official volunteer form, then wait for a team lead to discuss a suitable role; no shift is reserved by submitting it. OSCA signs school-hour forms with the required documentation. Confirm dates, location, and supervision. For work with children, ask OSCA about age-appropriate screening and its free-check letter before paying for a check.

Source: Official program. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Join a virtual volunteer group and take monthly advocacy actions related to ending extreme poverty. Results welcomes high-school volunteers and says completed action and education time can count toward school requirements. Its current join page links the volunteer intake and asks high-school students to email action@resultscanada.ca for guidance. Start with that inquiry and wait for the Public Engagement team to confirm eligibility, any guardian requirements, meeting times, and onboarding. The process includes an information session and a group introduction before a meeting invitation. Track and report your hours every month; allow at least 10 working days for Results to sign school forms. Confirm school approval before starting. This is ongoing recruitment, not a confirmed placement or guaranteed school credit.

Source: Official volunteer program. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

The centre invites community volunteers completing high-school hours or student placements. Email bspooner@nrocrc.org to ask about a suitable current role. Placements are limited; applying does not guarantee one. Minimum age, dates, and shift length are not published. Confirm your eligibility, location, supervision, and school-form signing; do not apply for a police record check until the team asks you to.

Source: Official program. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

The coordinator welcomes high-school students for marshalling, timekeeping, barcode scanning, and finish tokens. Register with parkrun, check the future volunteer roster, then email orleans@parkrun.com with the free role and date you want; wait for confirmation and the arrival reminder. Students do not need to bring their own adult because an adult coordinates the event. The team typically records 1.5 hours and the event director can sign a school form; check eligibility with your school. Confirm the arrival time with the coordinator before attending. An Easy 40 account does not register you with parkrun.

Source: Official program. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Help with greeting, merchandising, or sorting donations. Ages 16+ can apply; the public page also welcomes ages 14-15 alongside a parent or guardian, so confirm that arrangement with the team. Use the Better Impact application linked below and complete orientation before booking a shift. Bring your own CSA-approved steel-toe boots. Student volunteer hours are mentioned; confirm school-form signoff and your assigned role.

Source: Official program. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Ask about age-appropriate reception, luncheon, program, or poster-making roles. All under-18s need written parent or guardian consent. Ages 14-15 need adult supervision; ages 16-17 do not. Apply on the official page. If the online form does not appear, use the printable application link and return the completed form to the office at 2730 Carling Avenue, or fill one out there with staff. Call 613-829-9777 if you need help. Then wait for an interview, screening instructions, and orientation. The organization says it contacts applicants within two weeks. School-hour signoff is not stated; ask before starting.

Source: Official program. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.

Help with supervised Adult Day Program activities or Diners Club gatherings. Both roles are for ages 15+ and require daytime availability. Apply through the MyImpact link on the official page, then complete an interview, screening, and training. Wait for a confirmed placement. Under-18s should ask the coordinator about police-check requirements, the assigned location, schedule, and school-form signing before starting.

Source: Official program. Easy 40 does not confirm acceptance or school-hour signoff.