2025 Climb for Nature volunteer opportunities

We look forward to having you join us this year as a volunteer at WWF-Canada’s CN Tower Climb for Nature on Saturday April 5 and Sunday April 6. This will be an incredible volunteering experience, full of high energy participants eager to climb the tower, and friendly faces all around! The success of this event is in large part due to the 400+ volunteers who will assisting in all areas!

Please note the last day to sign-up to volunteer is Friday March 21, 2025 at 10 am EST. This deadline may move up if all volunteer positions are filled earlier, therefore we encourage you to sign-up early!

Read the below additional sections for more information about volunteer requirements and opportunities that are available. To sign-up for a volunteer opportunity, follow the instructions below:

Returning WWF-Canada Volunteers Only

• Click HERE to sign-in. Your username is your email address. If you forgot your password, click Password Reset, and follow the on-screen instructions.
• Once you are logged in, instructions will be available on the Home Screen guiding you how to sign-up for a volunteer role, and your next steps.

New Volunteers Only

• Complete an Online Application Form HERE. Additional steps will be emailed to you upon completion.

If you have any further inquiries, please email [email protected]. You will receive a response within 2 business days.

Volunteer Key Details

Minimum Age

• All volunteers under the age of 18 must have permission from their parent(s) or legal guardian(s).
• To volunteer at this event without adult supervision, you must be at least 15 years of age. 
• Volunteers 14 years of age or under MUST have a parent/guardian volunteer at the event alongside you for your entire shift.

Time

• Most volunteer shifts begin between 5 AM and 6 AM and it is extremely important that volunteers arrive on time.  If you do not feel that you can truly commit to arriving on time, please do not sign up for these positions. We ask all volunteers to remain in their positions for the full timeframes unless otherwise directed by a team captain and/or an event organizer.

Refreshments

• We encourage you to eat breakfast prior, and bring additional food/snacks for yourself that you can eat during your shift. Refreshments and some light snacks will be available throughout your shift.
• Water will also be available throughout the day for all volunteers, and we encourage you to drink lots and to bring your reusable water bottles.

Transportation

• Please consider your transportation options to the site before you sign up for a position. On weekends, the TTC subway system is not in service until 6:00 AM on Saturdays and 8:00 AM on Sundays. This can make getting downtown more difficult. However, there are TTC and GO buses that are in service overnight and stop very close to the site. We encourage you to look up transportation options on the TTC website or GO transit website to determine your best route.

Security Check 

• Please note that a few specific volunteer positions within the CN Tower require official security checks (vulnerable sector police check). You will be contacted by the first week of March if your role requires this (will be indicated in the volunteer position descriptions).

Community Service Hours

• Volunteers who are interested in receiving documentation for their Community Service Hours are asked to request a reference letter by emailing [email protected] directly.
• Reference letters will be emailed after the event.

Orientation

• All volunteers will be required to attend a virtual orientation. If you are volunteering inside the CN Tower, your orientation will occur on March 26, 2025 from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm EST, and if you are at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the orientation will take place on March 27, 2025 from 5:30 pm to 6:15 pm EST.

Volunteer Positions

WWF-Canada is looking for volunteers to fill a variety of positions.  As there are a number of different positions, we recommend that you carefully read the descriptions of all the positions prior to signing up.  Please be sure to note the date, start/end time, requirements and skill set recommended for the position.

If a team/position has been filled, we may suggest an alternate position for your consideration. Please note we will make every effort to place you in the area you selected, however due to circumstances beyond our control, occasionally volunteers can be asked to assist in other areas should the need arise.

If you are a corporate group that would like to volunteer together, please scroll to the bottom of this page to see opportunities available, and email [email protected] to indicate your interest.

Base Cheer Squad
Shifts: Saturday, April 5^th and/or Sunday, April 6^th from 5:00 am to 12:00pm
Duties: Show your support by providing a positive, enthusiastic atmosphere for those that have just descended the tower after an accomplished climb! Direct individuals back to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) where they can pick-up their t-shirts, incentive prizes, and any personal belongings.
Ideal Volunteer: Must be comfortable talking to people, have a positive attitude, and be comfortable standing for long periods of time. Note that this person may be in some areas that are a bit cooler so recommended for the volunteers to dress in layers!

Coat Check
Shifts: Saturday, April 5^th from 5:15 am to 12 pm and/or Sunday, April 6^th from 5:15 am to 1:00pm
Duties: You check the climber’s coats and belongings into and out of the coat check area in a smooth and efficient manner.  You will also help direct climbers to Registration tables as well as providing instructions and answering questions.
Ideal Volunteer: You are outgoing, confident and don’t mind speaking to large groups! You remain calm in hectic settings and are always polite and professional. You have excellent communication skills.

Finish Line – 16+
Shifts: Saturday, April 5^th and/or Sunday, April 6^th from 5:30 am to 1:00pm
Duties: Volunteers will assist with one or more of the following at the CN Tower: counting climb participants, cheering climbers and directing them in specific stairwells, ensure the climb participants keep moving, and do not crowd your designated area, and thank all of the climbers for participating
Ideal Volunteer: Must be comfortable speaking with climb participants and guiding them in the right direction – customer service skills are a nice to have. Should also be comfortable with standing for long periods of time. It is recommended to dress warmly – as this area can get cold! Note part of this position may be in smaller enclosed areas (i.e. stairwell landings).
Note: This position requires the volunteers to successfully complete a criminal record check.

Floater
Shifts: Saturday, April 5^th and/or Sunday, April 6^th from 5:30 am to 1:00 pm
Duties: Not sure where you want to volunteer? This opportunity will give you the chance to interact with numerous staff members, volunteers and climbers! Experience the climb by providing support in areas that need additional support, or help fill in for an area where volunteers were unable to attend their shift. You will be assigned your position when you arrive in the morning of the event, and will likely be reassigned to a new area half way through your shift. You may be required to wait for a short period of time while being assigned a role – seating will be provided during the waiting period.
Ideal Volunteer: An outgoing, dynamic and flexible individual who is able to adapt to various situations. Has strong communication and interpersonal skills. Must be comfortable standing or sitting for extended periods of time.

Food Runners
Shifts: Saturday, April 5^th and/or Sunday, April 6^th from 5:00 am to 12:00 pm
Duties: Can’t sit still? Like being on the move, and want to experience different areas of the climb? You will deliver tasty food to staff and volunteers throughout the event. You will be able to experience all aspects of the event and meet tons of grateful people!
Ideal Volunteer: You are outgoing and friendly. You have strong interpersonal and communication skills. Volunteers must be able to walk for several hours.
*This position involves working indoors and outdoors

Greeter and Line-Up Monitor
Shifts: Saturday, April 5^th and/or Sunday, April 6^th from 4:45am to 11:00 am
Duties: Create a smooth and efficient experience for climbers to get from main foyer to coat check, then to the registration table, and to the climb. Provide direction, assist with crowd control, and help answer any questions.
Ideal Volunteer: You are outgoing, confident and don’t mind speaking to large groups! You remain calm in hectic settings and are always polite and professional. You are patient and have excellent communication skills.

Hydration Station
Shifts: Saturday, April 5^th and/or Sunday, April 6^th from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm
Duties: Interact with climbers before and after their Climb for Nature by providing them with water. Watch them light up when they see you after they have finished the Climb and are exhausted – you will be their favourite person with water in your hands!
Ideal Volunteer: You are enthusiastic, outgoing, friendly, and comfortable starting and engaging in conversations with participants and the general public.

Incentive Prizes
Shifts: Saturday, April 5^th and/or Sunday, April 6^th  from 6:30 am – 1:00 pm
Duties: A rewarding position in which you reward climbers for reaching specific fundraising goals by giving them their various prizes once they’re finished climbing the tower. Have some fun with our stuffed animals, and get a chance to make so many of our climbers smile!
Ideal Volunteer: A friendly, enthusiastic and detail-oriented individual who enjoys interacting and communicating with all the incredible climbers. Able to remain patient, polite and professional while dealing with long line-ups.

Main Observation Level (Hydration and Cheering Team) – 18+
Shifts: Saturday, April 5^th from 5:15 am to 12:00 pm and/or Sunday, April 6^th  from 5:15 am – 1:00 pm
Duties: Experience the CN Tower by looking through the glass floor! As climbers ascend to the top, you will either be providing them with water, or be a part of the cheer squad and congratulating them and sharing in their excitement for all of their hard-work, as these individuals just climbed for nature! Kindly encourage their descent down the tower.
Ideal Volunteer: Filled with positive energy and enthusiasm! Have excellent communication skills, love interacting with people, are polite and professional.

Photo Booth Team
Shifts: Saturday, April 5^th and/or Sunday, April 6^th from 7 am to 12:00pm
Duties: Help climbers capture moments from the Climb and remember their accomplishment by helping monitor and move along the line, and provide participants with props to use in their photos.
Ideal Volunteer: You are outgoing, confident and don’t mind speaking to large groups! You remain calm in hectic settings and are always polite and professional. You are patient and have excellent communication skills.

Platinum Panda Lounge
Shifts: Saturday, April 5^th and/or Sunday, April 6^th from 5:00 am to 12:00 pm
Duties: Welcome some of our elite climbers into the Platinum Panda Lounge! These climbers have raised a lot of money for WWF-Canada, so let’s show them a good time! Answer their questions about the climb, help them get excited before their climb, and relax after all of their hard work!
Ideal Volunteer: An individual that is outgoing and enthusiastic, and likes to engage and mingle with people.

Registration (18+)
Shifts: Saturday, April 5^th and/or Sunday, April 6^th from 4:45 am – 12:00 pm
Duties: Work with WWF staff and other volunteers to check-in and register all the amazing individuals who have decided to Climb for Nature! You will provide each climber with a time chip/card, wrist band, etc. and answer any questions that they may have.
Ideal Volunteer:  A friendly, enthusiastic and detail-oriented individual who enjoys interacting and communicating with all the incredible climbers. Able to remain patient, polite and professional while dealing with long line-ups and stressful situations. Have excellent communication skills and can follow multi-step instructions. Must be comfortable on computers and with data-entry.
*Registration volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.
This position involves attending a mandatory in-person training session at WWF-Canada Head Office in downtown Toronto (approximately 2.5 hours) on Saturday March 29, 2025.

Time Chips Distributor/Runner
Shifts: Saturday, April 5^th and/or Sunday, April 6^th from 4:45 am to 12:00 pm
Duties: Deliver climber time chips to registration volunteers in a quick and efficient manner. Time chips are used to track each participant’s time to climb up the stairs. You will ensure the Registration area has enough time chips to be given to each climber. When they run low, you will help by providing them with more.
Ideal Volunteer: Individuals have strong organizational and communication skills. Able to work in a fast-paced environment. An individual that is friendly and outgoing, and is able to stand and walk for several hours.

Timing Technician
Shifts: Saturday, April 5^th and/or Sunday, April 6^th from 5:45 am to 1:00 pm
Duties: After climbers have descended, and return back to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, volunteers will collect their wristbands and time chips, and provide the participants with their exact climb time (obtained from the time chip). Volunteers may also provide souvenir WWF climb t-shirts to each climber, and boldly write their climb time prominently on the back of the t-shirt. Climbers will get to wear this proudly throughout the day, and keep as a memento as it will include their climb time!
Ideal Volunteer: Detail-oriented individuals that are able to work independently, as well as part of a team. A friendly, outgoing individual who is able to effectively communicate information.

Volunteer Check-In
Shifts: Saturday, April 5^th and/or Sunday, April 6^th from 4:45 am to 10:45 am
Duties: Greet volunteers upon their arrival, check them in for their shift, and provide each volunteer with a WWF t-shirt. Throughout the morning, provide volunteers with snacks, and maintain an organized area. Upon completion of checking in volunteers, you will provide support to other areas that need extra support.
Ideal Volunteer: Enthusiastic and organized. Ability to quickly search and read for names on a form or computer to check in volunteers.

Walking Directions Team
Shifts: Saturday, April 5^th and/or Sunday, April 6^th from 5:30 am to 12:00 pm
Duties: Act as Google Maps to climbers to ensure they are on the right path to the CN Tower! Work indoors and outdoors by providing directions to individuals along the path to the CN Tower by answering any questions, and instructing those that may be lost. This is a great opportunity to work alongside your friends as you guide people along the way.
Ideal Volunteer: You are enthusiastic and outgoing! You can communicate detailed directions clearly and calmly and answer questions. You have a positive and encouraging attitude and can cheer climbers on as you direct them to the tower. You are comfortable standing for several hours.
* This position involves working outdoors – weather appropriate clothing required

Corporate Volunteer Group Opportunities

If you are interested in any of above volunteer opportunities for your team, please email [email protected] to express your interest and inquire about availability for your group. WWF-Canada can accommodate corporate group sizes with a minimum of 5 people up to 35 people in the same area (or larger if you would like to be in different areas) if you sign-up early!

Benefits to Volunteering

There are many reasons to get involved as a volunteer with WWF-Canada’s Climb for Nature, and everyone has their own motivation. Some of our favorite reasons are:

• Spend the day surrounded by like-minded people who wish to see a world where humans and nature thrive.
• Help to ensure that WWF-Canada’s conservation work can continue at home and around the world!
• Gain volunteer experience, make friends and connections at this high-profile event which is a wonderful addition to any resume.
• Spend meaningful time with friends, family, groups and coworkers! We encourage you to sign up early to be on the same team as your friends!
• Receive a reference letter documenting your participation and hours (if requested).