Crew Team Member - Volunteer

Help keep adventure alive behind the scenes.

At Cudham Shaws Outdoor Centre, every campfire circle, activity area, campsite and building helps create unforgettable experiences for young people. Behind it all is a dedicated team of volunteers who help maintain and improve the site, making sure it stays safe, welcoming and ready for adventure.

We are looking for enthusiastic and practical volunteers to join our Weekend and Weekday Crew Team to help care for and develop the centre.

This is a fantastic opportunity for people who enjoy working outdoors, learning practical skills and being part of a friendly and sociable volunteer team. We can't highlight enough the importance of volunteers who keep the Centre running and looking good as a vital part of a wider Cudam team.

The Role

As a Volunteer Crew Team Member, you will help support the day to day upkeep, repairs and development of Cudham Shaws Outdoor Centre.

Tasks can vary hugely from weekend to weekend - one day you may be repairing plumbing, painting buildings or clearing woodland paths, while another could involve helping prepare campsites, supporting projects or improving activity areas.

No two weekends are ever the same, and there is always something exciting happening onsite.

Volunteers can support during weekends, weekdays or specific project days depending on their availability.

• Enjoy practical and hands on work
• Like working outdoors and as part of a team
• Are enthusiastic, reliable and willing to get involved
• Have a positive attitude and enjoy problem solving
• Want to help improve facilities for young people
• Are happy helping with a variety of maintenance and development tasks
• Have practical skills or are willing to learn new ones

You do not need to be a qualified tradesperson - we welcome anyone with enthusiasm, teamwork and a willingness to help.

Skills in areas such as DIY, painting, gardening, carpentry, plumbing, electrics or grounds maintenance are always helpful but not essential.

What You'll Be Doing

• Supporting general site maintenance and repairs
• Assisting with groundskeeping and woodland management
• Helping maintain campsites, buildings and activity areas
• Painting, decorating and improving facilities
• Supporting development projects across the site
• Helping prepare the centre for visiting groups and events
• Working alongside the wider volunteer and operations teams
• Maintaining a safe, clean and welcoming environment
• Occasionally helping with set up and pack down for events and activities

Like many volunteer campsite teams, the role is about "many hands making light work" while creating a fun and supportive environment for everyone involved.

Crew Life & Accommodation

One of the best parts of volunteering at Cudham Shaws is being part of the wider crew community.

During working weekends, onsite accommodation is available within the Crew House for volunteers. Prefer sleeping outdoors? There is also space available to pitch a tent or hammock and enjoy the campsite atmosphere.

Many of our volunteers stay onsite across the weekend, helping create a relaxed and social environment once the day's work is complete. Whether it's sharing stories around the campfire, cooking together or simply enjoying the outdoors, the Crew Team is a great group to be part of.

Outdoor centres often highlight the friendships and community spirit that develop between Scouters, with teams made up of people from many different backgrounds who share a passion for adventure and supporting young people.

What We Offer

• A welcoming and supportive volunteer team
• Flexible volunteering opportunities around your availability
• Opportunities to learn practical and outdoor skills
• The chance to help shape and improve the centre
• A sociable and fun volunteering environment
• Opportunities to get involved with wider centre activities and events
• The satisfaction of helping create amazing experiences for young people

About

Located in the Kent countryside, Cudham Shaws Outdoor Centre provides camping, accommodation and adventurous activities for Scouts, Guides, schools and youth organisations from across London and the South East.

The centre is powered by volunteers and supporters who help create safe, exciting and memorable outdoor experiences for thousands of young people each year.