VOLUNTEER FOR WILDLIFE

We are Recruiting Event Day Volunteers for CN Tower Climb for Nature!

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 15 and Sunday April 16. 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 to the 400+ volunteers who will assisting in all areas!

Please note the last day to sign-up to volunteer is Wednesday April 5, 2023 at 10 am EST. This deadline may move up if all volunteer positions are filled earlier, therefore we encourage you to sign-up early!

Sign-Up For a Volunteer Position

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

Volunteer Key Details

Minimum Age

• To volunteer at this event without adult supervision, you must be at least 16 years of age.
• Volunteers under the age of 18 must have permission from their parent(s) or legal guardian(s).
• Those under 16 who would like to participate are asked to submit a formal request to [email protected]. For this application to be considered, your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) MUSTattend the event and volunteer alongside you for your entire shift. Note volunteers under the age of 16 can only volunteer at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (and not directly at the CN Tower location).

Time

• Most volunteer shifts begin at approximately 5:00AMand it is extremely important that volunteers arrive on time.  If you do not feel that you can truly commit to arriving by 5:00 AM, 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 middle of March if your role requires this (will be indicated in the volunteer position description below)

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]
• Reference letters will be emailed after the event.

Volunteer Positions

WWF-Canada is looking for volunteers to fill a variety of positions at the 2023 CN Tower Climb for Nature.  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.

Coat Check
Shifts: Saturday, April 15th and/or Sunday, April 16th from 5:00 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 15th and/or Sunday, April 16th from 5:15 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).

Food Runners
Shifts: Saturday, April 15th and/or Sunday, April 16th 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

Glass Floor (Hydration and Cheering Team) – 18+

Shifts: Saturday, April 15th and/or Sunday, April 16th from 5:30 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.

Greeter and Line-Up Monitor
Shifts: Saturday, April 15th and/or Sunday, April 16th 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 15th and/or Sunday, April 16th from 5:15 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, are outgoing and friendly, and do not mind standing for several hours.

Registration (18+)
Shifts: Saturday, April 15th and/or Sunday, April 16th 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.

*This position involves attending a mandatory training session either:

1)           Saturday March 25 Morning In Person (Time TBD), OR

2)           Thursday March 30 Evening Online over Zoom (Time TBD)

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.

Rovers (16+)

Shifts: Saturday, April 15th and/or Sunday, April 16th from 5:30am to 12:00pm

Duties: At the base of the CN Tower, congratulate participants on their climbing achievement! Thank them for joining us this year. Provide participants with directions to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre so that they can get their prizes, take some pictures at the photo booth, and grab their personal belongings from coat check.

Ideal Volunteer:  Comfortable speaking to individuals or to small groups when providing directions. Must be comfortable standing for long periods of time.

Photo Booth Team

Shifts: Saturday, April 15th and/or Sunday, April 16th from 6:30am 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

Shifts: Saturday, April 15th and/or Sunday, April 16th 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! Check their coats and answer their questions about the climb, while getting them excited before their climb, and relax after all of their hard work and hand out prizes.

Ideal Volunteer: An individual that is outgoing and enthusiastic, and likes to engage and mingle with people.

T-Shirt Distributors
Shifts: Saturday, April 15th and/or Sunday, April 16th from 5:30 am to 12:00 pm

Duties: Volunteers will 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: Neat writing skills and attention to detail. Enjoy speaking with and communicating with individuals who climbed the CN Tower.

Time Chips Distributor/Runner

Shifts: Saturday April 15th and/or Sunday April 16th 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 15th and/or Sunday, April 16th 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).

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 Shifts: Saturday, April 15th and/or Sunday, April 16th from 5:45 am to 1:00 pm

Duties: communicate information.

Volunteer Check-In

Shifts: Saturday, April 15th and/or Sunday, April 16th 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 15th and/or Sunday, April 16th from 5:00 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

The below are volunteer opportunities that have been put aside for corporate groups. If you are interested in any of the below, or in other opportunities for your team that are mentioned above, please email [email protected] to inquire about availability for your group size.

Fundraising Room (18+)
Shifts: Saturday, April 15th from 7:15 am to 11:00 am OR 8:00 am to 12:00 and/or Sunday April 16th from 7:15 am to 11:00 am
Number of Volunteers: 6-12 volunteers per shift required
Duties: Work with WWF-Canada staff to accurately count and track funds submitted through donation forms.
Ideal Volunteer: You have strong mathematical/accounting skills and enjoy performing detailed tasks. This is a quiet room and is best suited for volunteers who like working independently. Must be 18+ years of age to volunteer for this role.

Fundraising Runner (18+)
Shifts: Saturday, April 15th and/or Sunday, April 16th from 6:15 am to 12:00 pm

Number of Volunteers: 5 volunteers per shift required
Duties: Alongside staff, assist with moving donations from the Registration area to the Fundraising Room.
Ideal Volunteer: This is a busy position that is best suited for a co-operative, outgoing volunteer. You have strong interpersonal and communication skills.  Volunteers must be able to comfortable walking for long periods of time.

Incentive Prizes

Shifts: Saturday, April 15th and/or Sunday, April 16th from 6:30 am to 1:00 pm

Number of Volunteers: 5 volunteers per shift required
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.

Benefits to Volunteering

There are many reasons to get involved as a volunteer with WWF’s CN Tower 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)