Volunteer-Gear & Equipment

Volunteers

Seeds Wilderness Way exists to bring hope, healing, and restoration to teens and families facing deep emotional, relational, and spiritual struggles. As a licensed Christian outdoor behavioral treatment program, Seeds uses wilderness experiences, Christ‑centered counseling, and relational discipleship to help teens discover identity, purpose, and renewed connection with God.

Volunteers support this mission by helping create safe, loving, spiritually grounded environments where students can encounter transformation.

What Seeds Does

• Supports teens facing anxiety, depression, identity struggles, family conflict, and crisis‑level behaviors.
• Leads 40‑day and 5-day wilderness expeditions designed for heart transformation, healing, and reconciliation.
• Provides preventative programs for parents, families, and youth leaders.
• Offers three years of aftercare and discipleship to help students continue growth at home.
• Integrates Christian counseling, experiential learning, peer support, prayer, and spiritual formation.

Core Values Volunteers Must Embody

• Christ‑centered love and compassion for hurting teens and families.
• Emotional maturity and willingness to listen without judgment.
• Respect for confidentiality and sensitive family situations.
• Commitment to safety, both physical and emotional.
• Servant‑hearted teamwork with staff, guides, counselors, and pastors.
• Reliance on Jesus as the foundation for healing and transformation.
• Ability to work independently and with integrity while following the lead of and supporting paid staff. 

Requirements for Volunteers

• Some general and specific trainings required before start 
• Volunteers who may have direct contact with students are required to pass a background check and will have additional training. 
• All volunteers must be physically capable of completing their position’s workload. Workload intensity will vary. All volunteers are recommended to be able to lift and carry at least 25 pounds.

Gear & Equipment-Volunteer Role Summary

Are you passionate about the outdoors and outdoor gear? The Gear & Equipment Volunteer helps keep Seeds Wilderness Way's technical gear organized, maintained, and ready for students and field staff.

This role is a great fit for someone with previous backpacking, climbing, camping, outdoor-industry, or wilderness experience who enjoys working with equipment and creating organized systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Organize and maintain student and staff gear systems.
• Help inventory backpacks, clothing, cookware, ropes, stoves, communication equipment, and other backcountry gear.
• Inspect gear for damage, excessive wear, or safety concerns.
• Clean and prepare equipment for future use.
• Identify gear requiring repair or replacement and communicate concerns to the Operations & Logistics Director.
• Assemble student gear in student packs.
• Prepare gear and equipment for weekly field resupply.
• Help organize and stage gear for incoming students.
• Assist with gear repairs and basic maintenance within the volunteer's skill level.
• Maintain a clean and highly organized gear-storage area.
• Help load, transport, and unload equipment for field operations.
• Assist with food, laundry, transportation, and other logistics tasks as needed.
• Participate in Seeds prayer and devotional life when able. Pray over gear and the students and staff who will use them to bless and encourage them. 
• Follow Seeds' safety and equipment-management policies.

Desired Experience

• Prior backpacking, camping, climbing, outdoor-industry, wilderness, or expedition experience preferred.
• Familiarity with technical outdoor equipment required.
• Knowledge of backpacks, cookware, ropes, stoves, clothing systems, or similar equipment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to recognize damaged or unsafe equipment.
• Ability to lift and move outdoor equipment and supply containers.
• Valid driver's license preferred.
• Commitment to Seeds Wilderness Way's mission and values.