Volunteer Opportunities

So you want to know what it's like to work at a Hostel?

Maybe you'd like to travel vicariously through the tales of others?

Have you just come back from traveling and want to stay in the circle of hostellers?

Or, perhaps, you feel a call to service and want to donate some of your time to a non-profit organization dedicated to helping others gain a greater understanding of the world, its people and cultures?

Hostelling International is founded on the principle of learning and respecting other people and cultures by sharing space and work. As a volunteer, you'll gain valuable service experience, get a glimpse of the inner workings of a hostel, and meet lots of great people. Our goal is that you will be inspired to travel, and that you will become a lifelong member of Hostelling International.

We offer several Volunteer Programs, lasting from a weekend to three weeks, with memories, friends and inspiration that will hopefully last a lifetime.

• Volunteer for a Workshop
• Donate a Skill

Volunteer for a Workshop

If you feel a call to service and would like to support our staff in helping to provide an awesome hostelling experience for our guests, than this volunteer program is for you.

We are looking for people to help with in-hostel programs. If you have experience teaching yoga, watercolor painting, scrapbooking, facilitating programs or have your own idea for a workshop, we'd like to hear about it.

Volunteers typically work 3-5 hours a day, usually in the morning and/or evenings and have the rest of the day to explore the area - bring a bike! You need to sign up a minimum of 2 days and a maximum of 3 weeks. You may volunteer at all four hostels if you'd like.

Accommodations are included, but meals are not. You may use the kitchen facilities to cook and store your food.

Please use application

Donate a Skill

Our Hostels are old, some dating back to the 1870s! Some are historical buildings; the Martha's Vineyard hostel is the first purpose built hostel in the US, and MidCape consists of small camp cabins built in the 60s. We are always in need of skills like carpentry, painting, flooring, landscaping and basic home improvement skills.

If you have skills and tools, we'd love to have you help out. Projects are usually done in the spring and in the fall, but sometimes can be worked on year round

Please use application

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