Opportunities From: Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado

Are you interested in being a VOC Crew Chef? Learn tips and tricks from seasoned VOC Crew Chefs about how to cook for VOC volunteers in the great outdoors.

Volunteer Crew Chefs play a fun, yet vital role on VOC projects. They ensure that volunteers stay well-fed and well-fueled! If you are an organized individual with a passion for food, sign up for this online webinar to learn more about supplying and/or cooking meals for volunteers in some of Colorado's most spectacular places. We will cover the basics of the Crew Chef role including proper meal planning, safe food prep, camp set-up and clean-up, zero waste methods, and many other topics related to managing an outdoor kitchen.

This webinar will be held on Wednesday, March 18 from 6:00-7:30PM A link to the webinar with access instructions will be sent via email prior to the training.

 

If you have questions or concerns please reach out to Benjamin Kromash at ben@voc.org

VOC projects require a variety of tools and equipment to be successful. Behind every major VOC project is a tool manager who plans and manages the tool requirements. Tool managers work with the project team to determine which equipment and tools are needed, and ensure tools, project supplies, and crew chef equipment are transported to the project site, and that volunteer crews have proper and operable equipment.

For this FREE morning training, we'll gather at VOC's Operations Center in Lakewood to talk about how tool managers work with the rest of the project planning team, assemble a tool list, transport tools to and from the site, stage tools for crews, help with camp setup, and more.

This training will take place on Saturday, March 21 from 10:00AM-12:00PM.

For questions or concerns please reach out to Benjamin Kromash at ben@voc.org

Why it's important: Training for Crew Leadership for trails is an essential part of building the capacity for stewardship in Colorado. This is a great way to take your environmental stewardship to the next level. As a Crew Leader, you will gain an understanding of trail terminology, methodology, and fundamentals of the functionality of a trail. Crew Leaders are an key component of projects; they follow the instructions of Technical Advisors and motivate a strong team of volunteers to complete that work.

What you'll learn: Through pre-workshop preparation online, classroom sessions, field exercises and role-playing, Crew Leader Trainees will learn the fundamentals of trail maintenance, construction, restoration, and erosion control. Trainees will also learn about tools and tool safety including tool identification, carrying, use, and storage. Trainees will learn about how to assess risks to avoid injury, individual learning styles, listening skills, and conflict and dispute management. A successful Crew Leader will be able to assess the individuals that make up the crew, understand motivational types and be able to effectively communicate the components of sustainable trail maintenance to their team. By the time the course concludes, Crew Leader Trainees will know how to motivate individuals to produce the desired end results in a safe manner, while utilizing the varied skills offered. All trainees will receive a crew leader manual, access to online modules, and a set of quick reference cards for a successful and fun experience.

Where you'll be: This training will be at Castlewood Canyon State Park. The exact location of the training and a detailed schedule will be provided once you have paid for the training.

Essential Details: 

This training takes place on Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26, 2026. It is required to attend both days of the training. It costs $100 per person to attend the training. Please click here to pay for the training and access the online content. This training will be free of charge for CPW staff and CPW volunteers. If you are CPW staff or volunteer, please reach out to Ben Kromash at ben@voc.org for a discount code to use at check out to receive the training free of charge.
NOTE: If you cancel within 2 weeks of the training start date you will not be refunded.It is mandatory to complete the online training prior to the in-person training. Please allow about 4 hours to complete the online training ahead of the in-person training.Please bring your own food and water.

 

For questions or concerns please reach out to Benjamin Kromash at ben@voc.org

Why it's important: Training for Crew Leadership for trails is an essential part of building the capacity for stewardship in Colorado. This is a great way to take your environmental stewardship to the next level. As a Crew Leader, you will gain an understanding of trail terminology, methodology, and fundamentals of the functionality of a trail. Crew Leaders are an key component of projects; they follow the instructions of Technical Advisors and motivate a strong team of volunteers to complete that work.

 

What you'll learn: Through pre-workshop preparation online, classroom sessions, field exercises and role-playing, Crew Leader Trainees will learn the fundamentals of trail maintenance, construction, restoration, and erosion control. Trainees will also learn about tools and tool safety including tool identification, carrying, use, and storage. Trainees will learn about how to assess risks to avoid injury, individual learning styles, listening skills, and conflict and dispute management. A successful Crew Leader will be able to assess the individuals that make up the crew, understand motivational types and be able to effectively communicate the components of sustainable trail maintenance to their team. By the time the course concludes, Crew Leader Trainees will know how to motivate individuals to produce the desired end results in a safe manner, while utilizing the varied skills offered. All trainees will receive a crew leader manual, access to online modules, and a set of quick reference cards for a successful and fun experience.

 

Where you'll be: This training will be in the City of Ouray. The exact location of the training and a detailed schedule will be provided once you have paid for the training.

 

Essential Details: 

This training takes place on Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17, 2026. It is required to attend both days of the training. It costs $100 per person to attend the training. Please click here to pay for the training and access the online content.NOTE: If you cancel within 2 weeks of the training start date you will not be refunded.It is mandatory to complete the online training prior to the in-person training. Please allow about 4 hours to complete this training. Please bring your own food and water to this training.

 

For questions or concerns please reach out to Benjamin Kromash at ben@voc.org

Why it's important: Training for Crew Leadership for trails is an essential part of building the capacity for stewardship in Colorado. This is a great way to take your environmental stewardship to the next level. As a Crew Leader, you will gain an understanding of trail terminology, methodology, and fundamentals of the functionality of a trail. Crew Leaders are an key component of projects; they follow the instructions of Technical Advisors and motivate a strong team of volunteers to complete that work.

 

What you'll learn: Through pre-workshop preparation online, classroom sessions, field exercises and role-playing, Crew Leader Trainees will learn the fundamentals of trail maintenance, construction, restoration, and erosion control. Trainees will also learn about tools and tool safety including tool identification, carrying, use, and storage. Trainees will learn about how to assess risks to avoid injury, individual learning styles, listening skills, and conflict and dispute management. A successful Crew Leader will be able to assess the individuals that make up the crew, understand motivational types and be able to effectively communicate the components of sustainable trail maintenance to their team. By the time the course concludes, Crew Leader Trainees will know how to motivate individuals to produce the desired end results in a safe manner, while utilizing the varied skills offered. All trainees will receive a crew leader manual, access to online modules, and a set of quick reference cards for a successful and fun experience.

 

Where you'll be: This training will be at Golden Gate Canyon State Park. The exact location of the training and a detailed schedule will be provided once you have paid for the training.

 

Essential Details: 

This training takes place on Saturday and Sunday, June 6-7, 2026. It is required to attend both days of the training. It costs $100 per person to attend the training. Please click here to pay for the training and access the online content.NOTE: If you cancel within 2 weeks of the training start date you will not be refunded.This training will be free of charge for CPW staff and CPW volunteers. If you are CPW staff or volunteer, please reach out to Ben Kromash at ben@voc.org for a discount code to use at check out to receive the training free of charge. It is mandatory to complete the online training prior to the in-person training. Please allow about 4 hours to complete this training. Please bring your own food and water to this training.

 

For questions or concerns please reach out to Benjamin Kromash at ben@voc.org