Call for volunteers! Join us at the MN State Fair

Join us for another unforgettable experience at The Great Minnesota Get-Together! Urban Boatbuilders is seeking volunteers for the Urban Boatbuilders booth at the MN State Fair. Hundreds of people stop by the booth outside the DNR building each day to ask questions, learn more about our programming, learn how to tie a lash, and see youth boatbuilders in action. It is hands-down the #1 way people learn about us. We need a lot of help to pull it off….

Will you join us??

Here’s what’s involved in volunteering at the Fair:

Volunteers teach fairgoers how to tie a square lash on our outreach boat frame and talk about our organization and programming. (Don’t worry, we’ll teach you too!)

You’ll receive admission to the fair on the day of your shift, an Urban Boatbuilders t-shirt if you need one, and a $10 cash per diem for food at the Fair.

Volunteer shifts are 9:00AM-1:30PM and 1:30PM -6PM all 12 days of the fair, August 25th – Sept 5th.

Sign up for one or more shifts here: volunteersignup.org/YFXPT

We’re holding two training sessions – Saturday, August 19 at 10AM and Monday, August 21 at 6PM, at the Urban Boatbuilders shop. Once you sign up for a shift, I’ll reach out with a Google form to get your t-shirt size and training day availability. The training is mandatory for new volunteers, and optional if you have done it before (but it’s a great time to pick up your ticket/s and t-shirt). We’ll have pizza, have a presentation about volunteering, answer all of your questions, and of course you will get to practice your lash-tying technique.

We’re really looking forward to being at the fair another year, and we really hope you’ll join us. Please email janelle@urbanboatbuilders.org know if you have any questions.



Other ongoing volunteer opportunities:

Shop Volunteer: Please email volunteer@urbanboatbuilders.org if you have never volunteered with us before and would like to be notified when we have open opportunities to volunteer in shop.

Committee Member: Help us grow our capacity by volunteering on our Communications Committee or Fundraising Committeee.

One-Time Opportunities: We have a variety of one-time or short term volunteer opportunities, such as:

1. Staffing an outreach booth – we continually have opportunities to engage our communities at all kinds of events, including boat shows, art fairs, and of course… the Minnesota State Fair. Volunteers are trained and staff our booth at these events.

2. Assisting with a youth boat launch (on land staff or sterning canoes)

3. Helping with special event planning and execution, such as Untapped Potential.

Email volunteer@urbanboatbuilders.org to be placed on our contact list for these opportunities.

Let’s Connect

Interested in our programs, boats, volunteering, or supporting youth in other creative ways?