Volunteer with Playworks
Come Play with Us
Spend a couple of hours at a Playworks school playing games, supporting student leaders, or helping kids discover the joy of sports and play.
You don’t need to be a teacher, coach, or athlete. We’ll provide the training and support you need!
Volunteer Opportunities
Recess
Play games with kids, help lead game stations, and support Playworks staff in creating a fun recess experience.
Class Game Time
Join Playworks and one classroom at a time to help students learn and practice games they can take back to recess.
Junior Coach Program
Support student leaders as they develop leadership skills and learn to lead games for their peers.
Developmental Sports Leagues
Help kids learn sports fundamentals, teamwork, and sportsmanship through Playworks developmental leagues.
Time Commitment
Once a week | Twice a month | Once a month
For recess, a typical volunteer shift would cover the school’s full recess block, approximately two hours. Other volunteer opportunities will have different schedules.
Ready to Learn More?
I’m Interested in Volunteering
What to expect:
- Tell us you’re interested: Complete a short interest form.
- We’ll connect with you: We’ll learn more about your interests and help identify a volunteer opportunity that fits.
- Complete onboarding: We’ll provide training and walk you through any required paperwork or background check/screening.
- Come play! You’ll be connected with Playworks staff and ready to begin volunteering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nope! You don’t need to be a teacher, coach, or star athlete. If you’re willing to jump into a game, encourage kids, and have some fun, we’ll teach you the rest.
There are a few different ways to jump in:
Recess: Get out on the playground! Play games with kids, help lead a game station, and support our Playworks staff in making recess a great part of the school day.
Class Game Time: Head into the classroom with us to play and teach games that kids can take back to the playground.
Junior Coach Program: Hang out with our student leaders as they build their leadership skills, plan for recess, and learn how to lead games with other kids.
Developmental Sports Leagues: Help kids learn a sport, practice new skills, cheer on their teammates, and discover that playing is about a lot more than winning.
Not sure which one is right for you? That’s okay. We’ll help you figure it out.
You can choose what works best for your schedule:
Once a week. Twice a month. Once a month.
We’re looking for people who can show up consistently, but that doesn’t mean you have to be at a school every week.
A typical recess volunteer shift is about two hours, covering the school’s full recess block.
Class Game Time, Junior Coach, and sports league schedules can vary a little. We’ll make sure you know exactly what you’re signing up for before you commit.
We work with schools throughout the Denver metro area with a lot of schools in the Aurora school district. Tell us a little about where you are and when you’re available, and we’ll work to find a school that’s a good fit.
No! You’ll be volunteering alongside Playworks staff, who will show you the ropes and be there to support you.
Our volunteers are never alone one-on-one with a student, and you’re not expected to step in as the teacher or disciplinarian. Your job is to jump in, connect with kids, and help make the experience great.
Absolutely. Everyone completes a Playworks onboarding before getting started. We’ll introduce you to Playworks, talk through your role, cover the important safety stuff, and make sure you feel ready for your first day.
You’ll also have a Playworks Program Manager as your go-to person if you have questions along the way.
Yes. Because you’ll be volunteering in schools and around kids, all Playworks Colorado volunteers complete a background check before getting started. We’ll walk you through the process.
Comfortable clothes and shoes you can move around in are perfect.
Life happens! Just let your Playworks Program Manager know as soon as you can.
Kids and staff will get used to seeing you, so consistency matters. We just ask that you do your best to stick with the schedule you’ve committed to and give us a heads-up when you can’t.
Yes! In fact, we love that idea. Tell us you’re hoping to volunteer together when you fill out the interest form, and we’ll do our best to find an opportunity that works for both of you.
Definitely. Our programs sometimes need balls, recess equipment, Junior Coach supplies, snacks, and other goodies.
Check with your Playworks contact first so we can make sure what you’re bringing is something your school or program can use.
Great! Start by filling out our short interest form and telling us a little about yourself, what sounds fun, and when you’re available.
Then we’ll connect with you and help find an opportunity that’s a good fit. Before your first day, you’ll complete your background check, volunteer paperwork, and Playworks onboarding.
Then comes the good part: it’s time to play!
And don’t worry, filling out the interest form isn’t a commitment. It’s just the first step in seeing if Playworks volunteering is right for you.