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Volunteers are the heart of our community.
Across Cambridge in our parks, facilities, events, programs, and neighbourhood initiatives volunteers help bring our city to life. Whether you’re supporting a festival, mentoring youth, preserving our heritage, enhancing green spaces, or lending your skills to a local cause, your time and talent make a meaningful difference.
Through the City’s Volunteer Program Framework, we are building a more connected, inclusive, and accessible volunteer experience one that makes it easier than ever for residents to get involved, give back, and grow.
No matter your age, background, ability, or availability there is a place for you here.
Every hour matters. Strengthen your community. Volunteer with Cambridge.
Volunteering with Cambridge is more than giving your time, it’s about building community, creating connections, and shaping the future of our city.
As a City volunteer, you can:
Through our centralized Volunteer Framework, the City is committed to providing:
We believe volunteering should be impactful, rewarding, and supported every step of the way.
We welcome all volunteers, including:
If you’re passionate about community, we’ll help you find the right fit.
Be part of the excitement that brings our community together. Volunteers in this category support major City events, parades, cultural celebrations, and seasonal festivals. Opportunities may include event set-up and tear-down, guest services, information booths, entertainment support, accessibility assistance, and behind-the-scenes logistics. Perfect for individuals or groups who enjoy high-energy environments and creating memorable community experiences.
Help residents stay active, connected, and engaged through recreation. Volunteers support a variety of programs such as community sports leagues, drop-in activities, tournaments, and instructional programs. Roles may include coaching assistance, program support, registration help, and participant engagement.
Play a key role in winter recreation by supporting outdoor rink operations. Volunteers may assist with rink set up and maintenance and helping create a safe and enjoyable skating experience for all ages.
Celebrate and preserve the stories, creativity, and cultural fabric of our community. Volunteers can support the Centre for the Arts, galleries, public art initiatives, cultural events, and educational programming. Opportunities range from exhibit support and guided tours to event hosting and creative program assistance, ideal for those passionate about arts, history, and cultural expression.
Make a hands-on impact in keeping our natural spaces vibrant and sustainable. Volunteers contribute to environmental stewardship initiatives such as tree planting, community clean-ups, trail maintenance, invasive species removal, and pollinator garden projects. This category is perfect for individuals, families, and corporate groups who enjoy outdoor work and environmental action.
Civic Engagement & Advisory Committees
Shape the future of your city by lending your voice and expertise. Volunteers in this area serve on advisory committees, task forces, and civic boards that provide input on municipal programs, policies, and initiatives. It’s an opportunity to collaborate with Council and staff, represent community perspectives, and contribute to informed local decision-making.
Support community safety and emergency preparedness initiatives. Volunteers may assist with public education campaigns, event support for fire and emergency services, and community outreach related to safety awareness. Roles are structured, meaningful, and contribute to building a more resilient community.
These programs are designed for older adults looking to stay active, social, and engaged. Volunteers support programs, events, and services that enhance quality of life for residents aged 50+. Opportunities may include program facilitation, peer support, event hosting, administrative help, and social engagement activities that foster inclusion and wellbeing.
Short-Term vs Long-Term Opportunities
Examples:
Dedicated section to support youth engagement strategy. These include:
Friendly Visiting Program Volunteer (Ages 18+)
The Friendly Visiting program matches a volunteer with a socially isolated older adult, or an adult living with a physical disability, for regularly scheduled social and recreational visits. By volunteering for Friendly Visiting, you can bring joy to an older adult in just a few hours a week. Learn more about getting involved.
The City of Cambridge Adult Day Programs is a supportive social recreational program that enables older adults and adults with physical disabilities to have a day out with peers to socialize, enjoy games, arts & crafts, music, exercise and enjoy nutritious snacks and a 3 course meal prepared in the day program kitchen located at the William E. Pautler Centre. Meals are the highlight of the day for many of the participants.
Kitchen Volunteer (Ages 16+)
Come join our food services team and help prepare and serve delicious and nutritious food and bring comfort and joy to our older adults. Volunteers are needed to support the cook to plate and serve food, set up and clean up the dining room, wash dishes and food preparation. The minimum age to volunteer is 16 years of age.
Locations: William E. Pautler Centre & Allan Reuter Centre
Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday
Shifts: 3 to 4 hours in length between 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (will consider shorter shifts for those not able to commit to a full 3 hours).
For more information, please email our 50+ recreation staff.
Life Drawing Facilitator (Ages 18+)
We are looking for artists and art-appreciators who have experience in life drawing with live models. The role includes scheduling models, room set-up, and model support for our weekly life drawing sessions at the Centre.
For more information please email artscentre@cambridge.ca
Event Volunteering: When volunteer opportunities come up, we reach out to you. We’ll meet at the event location and volunteer together as a group—a great way to help out, gain experience, and have fun at the same time.
Program Volunteering: We also run children and youth programs throughout the year. You can volunteer once a week in a program you’re interested in and help lead activities, games, and support the program staff.
Please visit Youth Programs for additional information.
Help create a warm and welcoming experience at our 50+ Recreation Centres! Greeters welcome members and visitors, answer questions, provide tours, encourage participation in programs and activities, and serve as positive ambassadors for the Centres. This is a great opportunity to meet new people, make connections, and give back to the community.
For more information, email 50plus@cambridge.ca or visit Older Adult Services
Join the Cambridge 50+ Recreation Centres as a tuck shop volunteer at the William E. Pautler Centre, 1145 Concession Rd.
Help serve coffee and refreshments and create a welcoming environment for our 50+ community. Morning and afternoon shifts are available.
For more information, email 50plus@cambridge.ca or visit Older Adult Services
Interested in volunteering but not sure which role is right for you? Join the Cambridge 50+ Recreation Centre volunteer team! A variety of opportunities are available to support programs, special events, recreation activities and day-to-day centre operations. Volunteers may also have opportunities to join a committee or board, share their ideas and help shape the 50+ community.
Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, stay connected, share your skills, try something new and give back to your community. Whether you’re looking to help occasionally or become more involved, our team will work with you to explore opportunities that match your interests, skills and availability.
For more information, email 50plus@cambridge.ca or visit Older Adult Services
Halloween Harvest is a family-friendly Halloween celebration. The event features Halloween-themed games, an inflatable corn maze, candy, and other fun activities for children and families. Volunteers will support event activities, assist guests, and help create a fun and welcoming experience throughout the day.
Locations: City Hall, Civic Square, and the Cambridge Farmers’ Market
Day: Saturday, October 31
Shifts: 5 hours in length from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Shorter shifts will be considered for those note able to commit to the full 5 hours. Lunch is provided.
For more information, please email E_SpecialEvents@cambridge.ca or visit Special Events
Volunteers are an important part of Cambridge Winterfest's success. Multiple volunteer roles are available throughout the festival. Volunteering is a great way to collect volunteer hours or to give back to your community
Corporate and group volunteer opportunities are available. For more information contact the Volunteer Coordinator
Santa Claus Parade
Help bring the holiday magic to the parade route! Volunteers may assist with participant check-in, parade staging, route support, crowd guidance, banner holding, and other tasks to help keep the event organized and running smoothly.
Location: King St E, from Chestnut St to Eagle St
Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
Shifts: 3 to 6 hours in length, between 2 to 9 p.m. Dinner is provided.
CPKC Holiday Train
Help prepare the community for the arrival of the CPKC Holiday Train. Volunteers may assist with set-up, crowd guidance, mascots, directing attendees, answering general questions and supporting event staff as needed.
Location: Malcolm Street Station
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
Shifts: 4 to 6 hours in length from 12 to 6 p.m. Snacks are provided
Phil Kline's Unsilent Night
Be part of this unique community event as volunteers help welcome participants and support the evening’s activities. Duties may include assisting with event set-up, guiding attendees along the route, maintaining a speaker station and providing general event support.
Locations: Cambridge City Hall, Civic Square, 50 Dickson Street and Downtown Cambridge
Date: Friday, November 27, 2026
Shifts: 4 to 6 hours in length from 12 to 10 p.m. Dinner is provided.
Cambridge Holiday Market
Help create a festive and welcoming experience for visitors at the Cambridge Holiday Market. Volunteers may assist with greeting and directing guests, supporting activities and vendors, setting up and tearing down, and helping with general event operations throughout the market
Locations: Cambridge City Hall (50 Dickson St) and Cambridge Centre for the Arts (60 Dickson St)
Dates: Friday, November 27, Saturday, November 28, and Sunday, November 29, 2026
Shifts: 4 to 6 hours in length from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Lunch, dinner, and snacks are provided.
Preston Tree Lighting
Help kick off the holiday season in Preston! Volunteers may assist with setting up, welcoming and directing guests, supporting activities and helping event staff with general on-site tasks during the celebration.
Locations: Central Park, 615 King St E
Date: Thursday, December 3, 2026
Shifts: 5 hours in length from 4 to 9 p.m. Shorter shifts will be considered for those note able to commit to the full 5 hours. Dinner is provided.
Music and Lights in the Village
Join us for a festive evening filled with music, lights and holiday cheer! Volunteers will help set up, welcome guests, provide directions, hand out brochures, supply hot chocolate, support activities and assist with general event needs throughout the village.
Locations: Cambridge Public Library Hespeler (5 Tannery St E), Hespeler Town Hall (11 Tannery St E) and St Andrew's Hespeler Presbyterian Church (73 Queen St E)
Day: Friday, December 4, 2026
Shifts: 4 to 6 hours in length from 3 to 9:30 p.m. Dinner is provided.
Candyland
Step into a colourful holiday experience and help make Candyland fun and welcoming for families! Volunteers may assist with event set up, children’s activities, hot chocolate, greeting and directing visitors, line management and general event support.
Locations: Central Park, 615 King St E
Day: Saturday, December 12, 2026
Shifts: 4 to 6 hours in length from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lunch is provided.
New Year's Eve
Help us celebrate the New Year with the community! Volunteers may assist with event set up, welcoming guests, supporting activities, tying skate laces, providing directions and helping event staff keep the celebration safe, organized and enjoyable.
Locations: Hespeler Arena, 640 Ellis Road
Day: Thursday, December 31, 2026
Shifts: 4 to 6 hours in length from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Lunch is provided.
For more information, please email Winterfest@cambridge.ca or visit Winterfest
We have opportunities for all age groups but individuals under the age of 18 will require parent/guardian permission.
No experience needed, just your willingness to give back!
Absolutely, there are lots of opportunities to volunteer with your friends. Sign up for events or helping at one of our parades are just two examples.
Yes, there are many opportunities to volunteer on the weekend. Ice Rink maintenance, working at our rec centres, helping at an event, doing a community clean up are just a few examples of volunteer opportunities that can happen on the weekend.
By signing up to be a volunteer through our volunteer portal you will create a profile. Once you have been assigned a volunteer opportunity you will be able to track your hours through your profile.
