Volunteer Project List

HI USA invites past EA, ETW, and IOU awardees to evaluate upcoming applications!)

Please note the following:

• March EA - open to all past awardees
• April IOU - open to past awardees with international travel experience.
• October ETW - open to past awardees with international travel experience.

For more information about the programs, please visit www.hiusa.org/education

Evaluators are generally assigned 25 applications 
(a time commitment of no more than 5 hours.) 
Evaluators have 10-14 days to complete their assigned evaluations.

If interested, please complete this application. 

Once received, we will contact you to select the programs for which you would like to evaluate.  Training and practice are offered in advance of the evaluation dates.

Please click APPLY below to complete the volunteer registration process.

Thank you in advance for your time and commitment to helping new travelers!

Notes:

• Volunteers are not permitted to apply as for HI USA programs as participants.  If you intend to apply as a participant of another HI USA program (ETW or IOU), please wait to volunteer. 
  • This does not include IOU Respect Team Leaders; only program participants.
• This application is for previous awardees only.  If you are not a previous awardee, please use this application.

Thank you in advance for your time and commitment to helping new travelers!

(Link for Awardee Sites)

Thank you for your interest in evaluating applications for HI USA. 

We need volunteer evaluators for the following application-based opportunities:

• Explore America Travel Scholarship - March evals
• IOU Respect Cultural Exchange - March/April evals
• Explore the World Travel Scholarship - October evals
• and future Signature Programs!

Evaluators are generally assigned 25 applications (a time commitment of no more than 5 hours.) 
Evaluators have 10-14 days to complete their assigned evaluations.

Please click APPLY below to complete the volunteer registration process.

Once registered, you will receive information regarding required orientation/training in advance of the next application evaluation  period.

Thank you!

(Invitation Only)

We’re looking for volunteers to help with the setup, distribution, and breakdown of our annual Thanksgiving Dinner service. This is a great opportunity to engage in cultural exchange with travelers from around the world as we share beloved traditions.

Responsibilities include: 

• Heating pre-made food
• Setting tables
• Mingling with guests
• Assisting with cleanup

DINNER INCLUDED FOR VOLUNTEERS!

We are looking for volunteers to assist with our twice weekly comedy nights. Meet professional comedians and mingle with international travelers at this event, which is open to the community. Volunteers will be expected to assist with setup, checking in guests, answering FAQs, and breaking down the set. 

Shows are on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM. Volunteers are expected to come before the show and stay after to complete setup and breakdown procedures. We ask for a commitment of two shows per month.

HI Boston is looking for volunteers to lead and support welcome parties for guests at our bustling hostel; which hosts travelers from across the globe. The HI USA Welcome Party allows guests to meet and interact with each other, at the hostel and have some fun together! These Welcome Parties also serve as an opportunity for guests to learn some information about Boston history and the culture of our local communities/neighborhoods.
You can sign up for individual dates or recurring. We prefer our volunteers can commit to at least one welcome party per month.

HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel is looking for volunteers to lead and support our welcome parties! Hosted twice a week, HI USA welcome parties provide a space for guests to meet, mingle, and learn more about LA history and culture. 

Volunteers must be 18+ 

Held Tuesdays and Fridays. We ask that you commit to at least two events per month. 

HI New Orleans is looking for volunteers to show groups of travelers what they love about the city of New Orleans! It can be pub tours, walking tours, open mic nights, or anything you're passionate about! If you have a talent you'd like to share in our space or a place that means something to you, we would like to hear about it!

If you would like to lead a tour, but you're not sure exactly what you would like to do, feel free to reach out as well; we have pre-selected ideas and routes if you need inspiration.

Do you know the best burrito spot in the Mission? Do you know the history behind Dolores park? Do you love to meet new people & share the history of San Francisco?... Then this might be a great fit!

We are looking for 2-3 volunteers to lead travelers on recurring tours of the Mission District. You are welcome to come with ideas of your own of where you would like to take a group, otherwise, the tour guidelines will be provided. Get to know San Francisco in a whole new way and meet people from around the world!

Join us for a walk along the one of the least visited neighborhoods in Boston! Bring guests to the Belle Isle Marsh; a tidal salt marsh which is a glimpse into the historical appearance of the pre-settled Boston area, with beautiful oceanic sights year-round and opportunities to see rare and endangered species! From there, walk through the little-known-about Orient Heights neighborhood and visit a hidden gem; the Queen of the Universe Shrine! The views from the shrine are spectacular! You'll discuss the immigrant history of East Boston, and the interesting engineering that went into expanding Boston's terrain. Information will be provided. 

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Do you love meeting new people from all over the world? Are you interested in going out to bars and making new connections? Do you know how to play shuffleboard or are willing to learn? Volunteer with Hostelling International's San Francisco Downtown location!

We are looking for 2-3 volunteers to bring travelers from the hostel to a local bar for a night out on the town. You will teach guests how to play shuffleboard for an hour, enjoy some brews, play some other arcade games, and be our cultural ambassador for the Bay Area.

This will be a night time activity-- Wednesday nights or Saturday nights preferred

Training provided.

The benefits of volunteering with HI USA include:

Meet new people from all over the world, including travelers, staff, and fellow volunteers
Work to increase understanding and tolerance by helping people break down cultural barriers
Help travelers to the community have a great travel experience
Build skills in public speaking, foreign languages and intercultural communication
Participate in fun appreciation events for local volunteers
Receive personal and professional development opportunities
Earn HI USA membership and dorm overnights at HI USA hostels

We are looking for a friendly volunteer that would be excited to take International guests from our downtown hostel to Grace Cathedral on Saturday mornings for a yoga session! Meet travelers from all over the world, share your experiences of living in the Bay Area, and enjoy a 90 minute yoga class in one of the most beautiful churches in SF!

If you are looking for a fun and easy way to connect with the community, work on your fitness, and meet people from all over the world, this could be a great fit!

Training provided.
 

The HI USA PUB TOUR allows our travelers to engage in a common social activity that allows an opportunity for them to learn more about the community and each other. The primary purpose of a PUB TOUR is to expose guests to new locations within our community and have conversations with other guests.

Do you have an interest in or a passion for showing people fun places and teaching them cool facts? 

Well, we at Hostelling International of San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf think that's pretty great!
We would love to have passionate volunteers show travelers from all around the world the many great things that San Francisco has to offer!

This opportunity includes: 

- Creating a walking tour of your desire of a certain area or place (a neighborhood, museum, park, etc)

- Committing to a stable schedule, but we're flexible on when, depending on what works best for you. It can be once a month or every week. We currently have wonderful volunteers that have been running tours every weekend for 20 years! 

- Have fun! Teach the travelers about our wonderful city and create an atmosphere of inclusion and cultural exchange with your groups. 

If you have a tour in mind, but have no idea how to put it together, no problem at all! We will work with you to create it. We focus on making our tours educational and fun!

Some ideas for tours:
- Native Plant Walk (teach people about the native plants right here at Fort Mason National Park)
- Fisherman's Wharf
- The Castro District
- Haight-Ashbury
- North Beach/Little Italy
- Chinatown
- A museum of your liking (lead the travelers trough the museum and describe the art to them, such as its history)
- The Murals of the Mission District

We uphold diversity in all its forms, everyone is encouraged to apply. 
HI SF Fisherman's Wharf in on Ramaytush-Ohlone lands. 

Join us for a walk along the harbor! Lead guests from the Hostel to Maverick Station, to the Piers Park area for beautiful skyline views. Walk along the most beautiful piers in the harbor, with stunning views, while sharing the interesting history of the East Boston neighborhood and its immigrant roots. -----

HI USA invites past Explore America Awardees to evaluate applications for future Explore America programs! 
Requires registration as a HI USA Volunteer.
(Past Explore America Awardees only)

ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

The Legendary Freedom Trail is a 1-2 hour walk along some of the most historic spots in Boston. We're hoping to find volunteers (1 or 2) to take our guests along this route, and help guide and educate them on the history and context around this path. 

Our traditional Freedom Trail is simple! Follow the red line and talk about the history of Boston and its relationship with the American Revolutionary War. 

Our Expanded Freedom Trail is more complicated, and covers topics that span from historical context, the American Revolution, economic classes, immigration, strange historical quirks of Boston, civil rights icons, and includes a gorgeous view of the city from the Charlestown Ferry! It's much longer, 4 hours on average. But it's tons of fun! 

HI Boston is looking to find a passionate person, interested in a weekly urban hike, either for the Expanded Freedom Trail, or the Traditional Freedom Trail. 

Vibe activities add to the guest experience but do not have assigned educational outcomes. Examples include but are not limited to: Info Desks, Performance Activities, Health and Wellbeing Activities, and Game Nights.

Do you enjoy interacting with people from different countries and cultures? Are you interested in sharing your knowledge about Boston history and the history of our many communities? Everyday, we offer tours and outings for hostel guests wanting to see and experience all that Boston has to offer. We invite you to bring your area of expertise to curate a custom tour. This is a great opportunity to meet and engage with people from around the world.

Do you appreciate art? Help guide our guests from the international community to the Harvard Art Museums. We're aiming to arrange for a Thursday morning or afternoon tour (Date could be flexible) of no more than 6 guests at a time to the Harvard Art Museums. You'd bring guests on the subway and walk them to and from the museums, and then back to the Hostel. Admission is free. 

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Do you love the bustling Back Bay and beautiful Bay Village neighborhoods in Boston? 

I'm seeking volunteers to bring guests to the Back Bay and Bay Village, to explore the tranquil peaceful Bay Village, a hidden gem of Boston, to the bustling "second downtown" of Back Bay! Bringing guests into the Boston Public Library, to the Marathon Finish Line, down Newbury Street, up to Commonwealth, or into the Public Garden!

It's a short and simple tour that has plenty of opportunities to share a nice moment, share interesting history of the Back Bay area, and immerse the visiting hostel guests in the Boston culture! 

Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions! 

Are you a member of any of the following museums? : 

Museum of Fine Arts
Museum of Science
Institute of Contemporary Arts
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
New England Aquarium
Any other museum in the City of Boston or neighboring areas? 

Or are you someone who would like to come visit a museum once or twice a month with us? 

We're looking for guides to lead hostel guests to local museums. The guests will be paying for themselves, and your role is to provide local imput, maybe some history along the way. You'll guide them there and back, or part ways with those who wish to stay beyond the end of the event time. 

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions! 
 

Are you someone who is knowledgable about the history of Providence or Rhode Island? Or are you the type of person that just likes to walk around a nice small city and take in the sights? 

We're looking for a guide to bring guests out to Providence. You'd meet them in the hostel, bring them to South Station and catch the train down to Providence. You'd lead the guests on a guided tour through the downtown area, around Brown, and back to the Station by the designated time. 

You can then guide them back to the hostel, or you can go home from there. 

You can do this event if you're a Boston Local OR a Providence Local who doesn't mind the train ride. 

Do you love all things Salem? 
Halloween? Witchcraft? History? 

If so, we're looking for people who would be interested in leading a once-monthly field trip from our Hostel to Salem, MA. 

You'd bring guests from the Hostel, to Salem. Walk them through the history of the city, from the Witch Trials, to Modern Day!

Then you'd bring them back to the Station by the designated end time, and either return with them, or head home from there. 

 

Are you a local hiker? Do you take walks in the park every week or seek out the natural spaces in the Boston area? 

I'm looking for volunteers to lead day hikes and parks tours throughout the city of Boston!

There's so many good nature tours, parks and trails around Boston, and with the warm weather approaching, it's never been a better time to get started on a new project, sharing these beautiful spaces with the international visitors at the hostel!

Let me know if you're interested and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!
 

Come join us as we serve visitors all over the world some local treats and specialty, seasonal items. 

We welcome people to Boston, explore the culinary delights in Boston and talk about the foods from all over the world. 

The opportunity is a 2-hour committment and provides guests with interesting approaches to cultural exchange and experiential learning! 

Are you passionate about San Diego? Do you like interacting with people from all over the world? Help travelers have incredible and organized travel experiences! We are looking for locals to volunteer at the HI San Diego Info. Desk. We are looking for a volunteer on Saturday morning for a 2-3 hour shift.

ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

The simplest description of this opportunity is that you will guide guests from our hostel, and give them a background on the area, the history and the culture, to the best of your ability. You'll guide guests to the Karaoke lounge nearby, and facilitate social interactions, allowing guests to share their cultures and intermingle with the local culture as well.

Our Karaoke Night events are considered a "Pub Tour".

HI Santa Monica is seeking a tour guide to lead our guests on a hike at Runyon Canyon! Locals know this is a beloved spot, but it is a hidden gem for most tourists. Meet international travelers and show off the best of LA. Looking for a commitment of one hike per month.

HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel is seeking volunteers to lead our guests on a hike to Griffith Observatory from the Fern Dell Nature Trail. Share beautiful views from the moderate hike to an iconic LA landmark.

The HI USA PROHIBITION PUB TOUR allows our travelers to engage in a common social activity that allows an opportunity for them to learn more about the community and each other. The primary purpose of a PUB TOUR is to expose guests to new locations within our community and have conversations with other guests.

As the PROHIBITION PUB TOUR volunteer, we ask that you ensure your program provides opportunities for guests to learn and share history, culture, and perspectives. When leading the PUB TOUR, we require the following: 1) We have an already established area and bars selected that includes: A unique history/story that gives insight to the local culture. 2) The tour must include questions and/or activities that encourage conversations and/or reflection among the guests. Some examples include asking guests if they have locations with a similar history or inviting guest to share their favorite pub traditions!

By adding these elements into the PUB TOUR, we can ensure that our guests are getting an experience that is FUN, but also gives them an opportunity to gain a better understanding of our community and different perspectives!

We are looking for a pub tour on any of the following days of the week: Wednesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays.

HI Santa Monica is looking for local guides to lead a walking tour of Sawtelle's Japantown (aka Little Osaka). Meet travelers from around the world at the hostel and lead them to the famed Sawtelle Boulevard for a 2-hour tour.

HI Santa Monica is looking for volunteers to lead a walking tour of West Hollywood! Walk the Sunset Strip, Melrose, and the heart of LA's LGBTQ+ community on Santa Monica Boulevard.

We are looking for someone who can host this tour at least once a month.

This tour is approximately a 4-hour time commitment. The tour starts at HI Santa Monica, and guides will take guests to WeHo via public transit.

We are seeking local certified volunteers to lead regular yoga classes for travelers at HI Santa Monica! This is a great opportunity for someone seeking to share their practice with others, gain yoga instructing experience, and meet people from around the world. 

We are seeking locals to show international and domestic travelers around LA’s best cultural institutions. Whether at The Getty, The Broad, or one of LA’s countless other world-class museums, this is a great opportunity to learn more about the world – both from the exhibitions and the hostel guests you’ll meet. 

HI SF Downtown is looking for volunteers to lead and support welcome parties/mixers for guests. These welcome mixers serve as an opportunity for guests to meet, learn some information about San Francisco history, the culture of our local communities/neighborhoods, and of the greater United States over some snacks, drinks and activites.

HI Chicago is seeking volunteers to help lead cultural outings to parades, concerts in the park, street festivals and more.  This is a flexible opportunity where the volunteer can sign up for outings that work with their schedule, typically in the evenings or on weekends. 

Local volunteers offer a unique insider's perspective to our hostel guests. By leading cultural outings, volunteers create the opportunity for hostellers to learn more about the historical and cultural relevance of the area and have a one on one encounter with a local expert.

Each outing would be 2 to 4 hours, depending on the event. We're looking for volunteers who can commit to leading at least 1 outing per month.

Shift: Mondays from 8pm-11pm. Must be 21+. 

We are seeking a volunteer to lead HI Chicago guests on on recurring Monday night outings to a nearby Karaoke bar.

This would be recurring on Mondays.

You would meet guests at the hostel around 8pm and either take them to a karaoke bar or music venue, enjoy the nightlife with them, and lead them back to the hostel (or provide instructions on how to return.

We would train you by having you shadow an existing tour or outing, then you would lead this event on your own. 

We are looking for 1 to 2 volunteers to assist with our Temescal Canyon Hike. This is a moderate 3-mile hike in the Pacific Palisades with gorgeous ocean views!

Volunteers will be expected to meet guests at HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel, travel via public transit to the trailhead, and lead the group on the hike. 

This is a Sunday morning event, hosted from 9 AM to 1 PM. We would like someone who can lead the hike on the second Sunday of every month. If you have additional availability, you may be able to assist on other days as well!

We are looking for a pub tour specifically on Saturday nights, recurring. This would be weekly or monthly. 

The HI USA PUB TOUR allows our travelers to engage in a common social activity that allows an opportunity for them to learn more about the community and each other. The primary purpose of a PUB TOUR is to expose guests to new locations within our community and have conversations with other guests. 

As the PUB TOUR volunteer, we ask that you ensure your program provides opportunities for guests to learn and share history, culture, and perspectives. When leading the PUB TOUR, we require the following: 1) Each establishment you visit must have: A unique history/story that gives insight to the local culture, and/or inclusion of historically underrepresented / diverse perspectives of the city - this could be represented by neighborhood, clientele, ownership. 2) The tour must include questions and/or activities that encourage conversations and/or reflection among the guests. Some examples include asking guests if they have locations with a similar history or inviting guest to share their favorite pub traditions!

By adding these elements into the PUB TOUR, we can ensure that our guests are getting an experience that is FUN, but also gives them an opportunity to gain a better understanding of our community and different perspectives!

HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel is seeking volunteers to lead a tour of DTLA’s Historic Core. Share L.A. history and stop at local favorites like The Last Bookstore and Grand Central Market while getting to know travelers from around the world. 

HI Santa Monica is seeking local guides to lead guests on walking tours of Culver City. Educate travelers about your neighborhood, share your favorite places, and get to know people from around the world. This is a great opportunity for anyone passionate about travel and cultural exchange.

HI Santa Monica Los Angeles Hostel is seeking local guides to lead guests on walking tours of Santa Monica! Educate travelers about your neighborhood, share your fave places, and get to know people from around the world. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in travel and cultural exchange. 

HI Santa Monica Los Angeles Hostel is seeking local guides to lead guests on walking tours of Venice Beach and the surrounding area. Educate travelers about your neighborhood, share your favorite places, and get to know people from around the world. This is a great opportunity for anyone passionate about travel and cultural exchange. 

HI Santa Monica is seeking volunteers to lead travelers to local dance events! There are multiple venues in Santa Monica that offer salsa and bachata lessons throughout the week to the public. We would like a dance enthusiast to escort guests to the events and teach them a bit more about the significance of dance in our community. You don't need to be an expert -- just willing to learn and help others learn!

We are looking for volunteers to help lead travelers from all over the world on a tour of the City by the Bay on two wheels!

Meet the travelers at the hostel, walk over to grab your bikes at Blazing Saddles and ride on! Share fun and historical facts and tid-bits with the travelers along the way!
Bike from Fisherman's Wharf, to the Palace of Fine Arts, along the water at Crissy Fields, over the Golden Gate Bridge, and into Sausalito. Guests will then take the ferry back (we will pay for your ferry ticket).

If you have your own bike, great! If not, no worries, we will rent one for you for the tour. 

The tour goes out Sundays at 10 AM and ends at about 3:30-4:15 PM

Must be 18+

All training is provided!

TO APPLY CLICK ON LINK BELOW:

https://hiusa.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/hiusa/projectList.jsp?query.project.id=94

The benefits of volunteering with HI USA include:

• Meet new people from all over the world, including travelers, staff, and fellow volunteers
• Work to increase understanding and tolerance by helping people break down cultural barriers
• Help travelers to the community have a great travel experience
• Build skills in public speaking, foreign languages and intercultural communication
• Participate in fun appreciation events for local volunteers
• Receive personal and professional development opportunities
• Earn HI USA membership and dorm overnights at HI USA hostels

We are excited to invite individuals to join our volunteer team, celebrating the strength of diversity in all its forms. We believe that the collective power of varied racial backgrounds, abilities, and gender identities fosters a rich tapestry of perspectives and experiences. By coming together, we aim to create a welcoming environment where everyone's unique qualities contribute to our shared goals. Whether you're passionate about our cause or seeking an opportunity to make a positive impact, we encourage you to lend your voice and presence to our diverse community of volunteers. Join us in shaping a future that embraces inclusivity and unity.

HI SF Fisherman's Wharf acknowledges that the Ramaytush Ohlone are the original peoples of the San Francisco Peninsula.

PURPOSE/DEFINITION and HI USA MISSION

HI USA is 501(c)(3) non-profit education association. Our purpose is to "inspire a deeper understanding of people places and cultures for a more tolerant world." As a non-profit, the revenues we receive through overnight stays and memberships is reinvested in mission delivery.

Do you enjoy meeting new people and showing off Boston's coolest attractions/neighborhoods? Then sign-up to be Boston tour guide at the Boston Hostel!

HI Boston is looking for individuals interested in leading tours around Boston for groups of travelers from all over the world. These walking tours feature fun neighborhoods, unique themes and local attractions and provide a local glimpse into Boston’s unique culture and history. These excursions also help travelers learn more about Boston and build important dialogues between each other as they explore the city. If you love Boston, then help world travelers love it too!

HI SF Downtown is looking for volunteers to engage with International travelers in video games & foosball. Get to meet our guests from all over the world and spark some friendly competition and conversation! Note, you don't have been good at any games, as long as you know how to play, be encouraging, and have fun yourself.

The HI USA Welcome Party/Mixer allows guests to meet and interact with each other at the hostel and serve as an opportunity for guests to learn some information about San Francisco history, the culture of our local communities/neighborhoods, and of the greater United States.

ALL welcome party volunteers must be 18 or over.

WHY VOLUNTEER WITH HI USA?

• Meet new people from all over the world, including travelers, staff, and fellow volunteers
• Help bring people together and facilitate cultural exchange
• Build skills in public speaking, foreign languages, intercultural communication, and more
• Earn HI USA membership and overnights at HI USA hostels
• Training provided and flexible schedule
• Have fun while making a difference!

HI Chicago is seeking volunteers to help create and lead an evening walking tour that highlights the culture and history of the area's dark, haunted secrets. Tour should include off-the-beaten-path sites, minority owned businesses that hostel guests can support and patron, as well as major sites in the city that cannot be missed.

Local volunteers offer a unique insider's perspective to our hostel guests. By leading walking tours, volunteers create the opportunity for hostellers to learn more about the historical and cultural relevance of the area and have a one on one encounter with a local expert.

We can work with your schedule to schedule tours. We are looking for a 1.5 hour - 3 hour tour/outing in select evenings. This would be recurring weekly, bi-weekly or monthly.

Are you passionate about Chicago? Do you like interacting with people from all over the world? Help travelers have incredible and organized travel experiences! We are looking for locals to work the Information Desk at HI Chicago. The Info Desk is similar to a hotel concierge: it's a place where guests ask for directions, how to use the CTA, where to get the best deep dish, and what are your secret, local tips. Info Desk Volunteers will work 3 hour shifts when the hostel is busiest: during the morning breakfast hours and during check-in in the evening. Currently available shifts are Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 4pm-7pm and Sundays from 9am-12pm. Shifts are flexible by an hour (5p-8pm, for example). You will have a chance to sign up for one or more recurring weekly shifts.