Volunteer

The Loppet Foundation :: About :: Volunteer
  • We are looking for Lead Volunteers! We depend on lead volunteers to coordinate specific areas of our events and help organize and train event day volunteers. Please look at the position descriptions below and emails events@loppet.org if you are interested in being a lead!
  • Trail Kids: ongoing. Be a Trail Kids coach! We are looking for coaches year round for trail running, mountain biking, and cross country skiing. Learn more here.
  • Tuesday Weekly Habitat Restoration: Starting May 21. Join LEAP (The Loppet Foundation Environmental Action Project) to remove invasive species, including buckthorn, in Theodore Wirth Park. We’ll meet in front of The Trailhead at 5:30 PM and work until about 7:00 PM. Volunteer activities include cutting, pulling, and hauling buckthorn and other invasives. No experience is necessary. Sign up here.
  • Fall Trails Day 2024: Join us on October 26 from 9a-12p to help get the trails ready for winter! We will have coffee and donuts at the start. Sign up here.
  • Bridge Build: Help put up the Loppet Bridge outside the Trailhead on November 2 from 9:30a-12:30p! Wear outdoor work clothes, gloves, and sturdy boots. Lifting up to 50 pounds, use of ladders, and hand tools. Due to the difficulty of this task, we are requiring that volunteers must be 17+ to sign up. Sign up here.

For volunteer questions, email volunteer@loppet.org

Events

Loppet Events are a great way to help the Loppet Foundation realize its mission of getting folks outdoors. All kinds of volunteer help is needed: make ice luminaries, course marshal, aid station help, set up and clean up help, and much, much more. Visit the various event sites to sign up for a volunteer shift (or several!). Email us at events@loppet.org.

Adventure Programs

Loppet Adventure Programs volunteers assist with a Junior Loppet middle school team, volunteer with the Minne-Loppet programs in the elementary schools and assist ski and run club coaches. If you are interested in coaching for Minne-Loppet or Junior Loppet, please fill out the sign-up form above and pick “Minne-Loppet” or “Junior Loppet” as one of your preferred volunteer tasks.

Trail Kids

Loppet Trail Kids provides year round outdoor active adventures club for youth ages 7 – 13 years old. Kids enjoy activities throughout the year that include mountain biking, orienteering, canoeing, adventure running, and cross country skiing. Contact trailkids@loppet.org for information on current or upcoming Trail Kids volunteer opportunities.

Trails

The Loppet Foundation is constantly undertaking trails related projects in Theodore Wirth Park and welcomes volunteers in all capacities to help support the trails. Throughout the year, we have specific volunteer event days where we recruit individuals to help with the trails, along with ongoing projects which have no set date. Please also let us know if you have a large group that would like to volunteer together, so we can best accommodate your request.

  • Volunteers must register online in advance. This is extremely helpful for planning purposes and to ensure we have emergency contact information for everyone. Thank you!
  • If you need to cancel, email your task coordinator directly or volunteer@loppet.org to let us know you will no longer be joining us.
  • Please arrive 15 mins before schedule time to allow time for orientation, team organization, finding locations, etc.
  • The Loppet Foundation is not responsible for lost or stolen items such as backpacks or tools. Please be careful with personal gear.
  • Please plan to assist for your entire assigned assignment. If you leave early, you may compromise the safety of participants or spectators. If you need to leave early in the case of an emergency, please notify your volunteer shift leader.
  • Pets are not permitted.
  • Age restrictions apply to certain jobs. Please do not bring your children with you unless they are registered as volunteers. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied/managed by an on-site parent/guardian or group leader. Please contact volunteer@loppet.org if you have any questions regarding children volunteering for any particular task.

The Loppet is committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. Volunteers are the backbone of our organization and play an important role in creating and sustaining a culture that exhibits the Loppet’s mission and values. 

The following expectations apply to all volunteers at all events, programs, trips, and anywhere else a volunteer represents The Loppet in any capacity. We believe that articulating our values and accountabilities to one another reinforces inclusion and respect. We are committed to upholding and evolving this code as our organization grows.  Volunteers are expected to contribute to a collaborative, positive, and healthy environment in which we can all feel genuinely included, respected, and valued.

Volunteers are expected to:

  • Perform their volunteer role to the best of their ability in a safe and efficient way.
  • Follow the Loppet’s policies and procedures as well as any instructions or directions reasonably given to them. Direct any questions regarding the Loppet’s policies, procedures, support or supervision to the volunteer’s supervisor.
  • Treat others with fairness, equality, dignity and respect. Always communicate respectfully and honestly.
  • Meet time and task commitments and provide sufficient notice when they will not be available so that alternative arrangements can be made.
  • Observe safety procedures, including any obligations concerning the safety, health and welfare of other people in line with training provided to volunteers if applicable, and report any health and safety concerns.
  • Declare any interests that may conflict with their role or the work of the Loppet (e.g. business interests or employment). If any doubt arises as to what constitutes a conflict of interest, volunteers may ask appropriate Loppet staff.
  • In any external communications, volunteers must communicate with the Loppet’s values in mind and in a timely manner. Seek authorization before communicating with media on behalf of the Loppet. 
  • Treat all resources (natural, financial, equipment, etc.) with the utmost respect and care.

Volunteers are expected NOT to:

  • Engage in any activity that may cause physical or mental harm or distress to another person (such as verbal abuse, belittling others, physical abuse, assault, bullying, or discrimination or harassment of any kind). Do not use language that could belittle, insult, or confuse someone, no matter their role or responsibilities.
  • Be affected by alcohol, drugs, or medication which will affect their abilities to carry out their duties and responsibilities while volunteering.
  • Provide a false or misleading statement, declaration, document, record or claim in respect of the Loppet, its volunteers, or staff.
  • Engage in any activity that may damage property or engage in illegal activity while carrying out their role.
  • Take unauthorized possession of any property that does not belong to them, including but not limited to: equipment, technology, program materials or curriculum, loppet data, contacts, files, and/or intellectual property of the Loppet.
  • Improperly disclose, during or after their involvement with the Loppet ends, confidential information gained during their role with the Loppet.

When a volunteer is found to be in breach of the standards outlined in this Code of Conduct or any of the Loppet’s other policies and procedures this may result in the volunteer’s position being terminated. 

Thank you for being a volunteer with the Loppet!