Volunteer to make an impact!

Volunteers power FIRST at every level, impacting more than 400,000 young people around the world each year. Whatever your expertise, FIRST has a Volunteer opportunity for you. FIRST encourages Volunteers with both technical and non-technical expertise, and there’s NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED!

Help us to change lives, change our culture, and change the future! Whether you have a few weekend hours, the desire to mentor a team for a season, or want to work behind the scenes to help FIRST grow, opportunities abound for people who want to give back. Over 160,000 adult Volunteers from every walk of life give freely of their time and talents because they witness firsthand the positive impact the FIRST experience has on so many young lives.

Learn More

What skills are required to volunteer?

Each FIRST program offers a wide range of positions that are technical and non-technical of nature. Whatever your background is we have a volunteer position to fit your interests.

Click on the program to learn more about what event volunteer roles are available.

FIRST LEGO League Jr. Volunteer Roles
FIRST LEGO League Volunteer Roles
FIRST Tech Challenge Volunteer Roles
FIRST Robotics Competition Volunteer Roles

Is there an age requirement for volunteering?

The only requirement is that you must be 13 years or older to volunteer.

Do I need to be affiliated with a student or school to volunteer?
No, you do not need to be affiliated with a student or school to volunteer. FIRST Volunteers are people from all walks of life that come together to lead by example in the ways of science, technology, and citizenship.
What is the time commitment for volunteering?

FIRST volunteer opportunities vary in time commitment depending on the volunteering role. You, your family, and your available free time can decide together how much time you can devote to the program.

Even if you only have a few weekend hours to commit, your time will be well utilized by providing a positive impact on the lives of young people participating in the program.

What time of year does volunteering occur?
FIRST volunteering opportunities typically occur during the school year (August – May). Since each of FIRST’s programs has a unique season calendar, there are great opportunities to support each of the programs as a volunteer throughout the year.
Where are volunteer opportunities located?

FIRST serves many areas of St. Louis including urban, suburban and rural parts of our region. Whether you are volunteering for an event or with a team as a mentor, there is likely a volunteering opportunity available to you within a short drive of your home.

Feel free contact us directly for additional information about volunteering opportunities and locations in the St. Louis area. To contact us, send us a message using the “I want to find out more” form on this page or click here to send us a message directly from the contact page.

Start a Team

What is the initial volunteer registration process?

If you are new to volunteering with FIRST, you will need to create a profile on the FIRST Headquarters website. Click here to setup a FIRST account.

You can access the FIRST Volunteer Registration User Guide here

Once you have activated your  FIRST  account, you will be able to complete the “About You” and “Expertise” sections . The information in these sections will help us match you to volunteering roles that fit your interests. This information will also be helpful by providing us with dietary restrictions for catering, proper shirts size, and any physical limitations that may prohibit you from participating in certain volunteering roles.

How do I volunteer for specific events and volunteering roles?

Once you have completed the initial volunteer registration process and have passed our background screening, you will be able to apply for specific events and volunteering roles in the Volunteer Role Application section. You will be able to edit/delete your applications at any time leading up to the event and prior to being assigned by the Volunteer Coordinator of the event.

Why is there a background check for volunteers?

FIRST is serious about student safety. We strive to create an environment in which team members can grow, learn, and have fun with minimal risk of injury.

To ensure we are creating a safe environment for all FIRST team members, every adult volunteer from the United States and Canada must complete a background screening through our Volunteer Registration process.

Click here for more information about the FIRST Youth Protection Program.

Are meals provided for volunteers at events?

Yes, we do provide meals for most volunteering positions. If you have any dietary restrictions, please indicate those in the “About You” section of the Volunteer Registration System.

Who do I contact for additional support in starting as a volunteer?
We are excited that you are interested in volunteering with FIRST!

To contact us directly for additional support for volunteering with FIRST, send us a message using the “I want to find out more!” form on this page or click here to send us a message directly from the contact page.

UPCOMING EVENTS

[tribe_events_list category=”all-leagues”]

Volunteer Testimonial

Referee

Amazing program, amazing teams! I love the energy and hearing how FIRST impacts lives!

I want to
find out more!

Fill out the form below, and someone will contact you shortly. Thank you!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.