Become a part of the Volunteer Corps

The Head of the Schuylkill Regatta is organized and run by outstanding volunteers. Become a part of the growing number of the energetic and motivated group that continues to make this regatta one of the best in the country.
Volunteer Code of Conduct
Schedule Your Volunteer Shifts - Opens July 15th

The Head of the Schuylkill Regatta is organized and run by dedicated volunteers. Become a part of this energetic and motivated group that continues to make this regatta one of the best in the country.  As a volunteer, you’ll get to experience a world-class, international event with local flair.  You’ll have opportunity to learn new skills and to interact with fellow volunteers, athletes, coaches, and spectators, all while serving your community and having fun!  Our volunteers come from Boathouse Row, clubs and schools in the Philadelphia area, and beyond.  At any time during the regatta, about 150 volunteers are in place!

Browse our list of regatta functions below. If you do not have a preference, we will utilize your assistance in the most efficient way possible. All areas, unless otherwise noted, can be staffed in half-day shifts breaking around lunchtime. Exact start and finish times vary and some posts require staggered breaks.  Not available regatta weekend?  There are many opportunities to volunteer before and after the regatta.  How about Registration Packet Assembly on October 20th and/or River Bank Clean-Up on October 21st.  Reach out and we’ll find the perfect way for you to take part behind the scenes.

Safe Sport: Member safety and well-being are priorities for HOSR and USRowing, and education is critical to prevent the harm that misconduct causes our members. In partnership with the U.S. Center for SafeSport, USRowing provides training on how to identify and prevent the various forms of misconduct. Adult Participants serving in a volunteer capacity and are not athletes, who will not have regular contact with or authority over Minor Athletes, are encouraged to take the Center’s brief Volunteer Course (or SafeSport Trained Core) before engaging or interacting with any Minor Athlete(s).  All Volunteers must know how/where to report misconduct.  See Safe Sport Introduction, Use of Policy and Resources

Last but not least, kindly review the Volunteer Code of Conduct above.  By volunteering for the HOSR, you acknowledge and agree to abide by this Code.

The 2024 HOSR
After meeting the challenges of the past few years, we anticipate a full HOSR race schedule, fully staffed areas, and on-land amenities for competitors and spectators alike.  We will continue to reevaluate and adapt as necessary to focus on our highest priorities – maintaining the health and safety of our competitors, coaches and volunteers, and providing high-quality, competitive racing.  Thank you to our amazing, welcoming, passionate volunteers for seeing us through these times and ushering in our next 50 years.

We will hold most volunteer prep meetings for individual areas via Zoom for the sake of scheduling and convenience.  In addition, we will hold a general volunteer information session to pull all the areas together in a Zoom on Tuesday, October 22nd.  This will be recorded if you cannot attend.

Volunteer scheduling will open after July 15th. Go to Sign-Up Genius. Once scheduled, a Captain will reach out to you to solidify shifts and location.  If you have any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact volunteers@hosr.org.    And THANK YOU for being part of this Philadelphia tradition!

Awards
Congratulate the competitors by issuing medals to the top three placements in each event.  Read results, track distribution of medals, organize award ceremonies, and encourage competitors to take pictures on stage.  We need friendly, enthusiastic, organized volunteers to keep the medals desk running smoothly and allow competitors to have their moment to shine!
Docks
The HOSR is the nation’s 3rd largest regatta – therefore, keeping the Docks and the surrounding area running smoothly is critical.  Volunteers will assist officials in organizing boat safety checks at control commission, direct boats on and off docks in timely fashion, keep spectators clear from the path of the boats/docks. The Dock Master will assign the volunteers to specific tasks. This job is hands-on, and requires patience, teamwork, a general knowledge of boat launching and steering, and a relaxed but deliberate communication style.  Perk ~ you get a front seat to racing as the docks sit mid-course ~ what a view!
Golf Carts
Drive a courtesy golf cart to help transport people and food tent supplies for visiting teams as well as helps those with difficulty walking from parking to and from the course ~ OR ~ Drive a runner cart to help with scheduled and odd jobs during the regatta. A smiling face, gift of gab, and general knowledge of the race course is very helpful!  HOSR requires drivers to be 18 and over with a driver’s license.
Information
Regatta Information serves as the central point contact for athletes and spectators with questions and comments. While you may not have all the answers, you will best know how to find the answer!  In addition to serving as the “face” of the regatta, the Information Booths located at the Three Angels and the Finish Line distribute program books, maintain the full schedule of regatta activities and venue maps, act as “lost and found”, and communicate timely feedback to regatta directors and other Captains.
Hospitality
Are you the host with the most? We appreciate our Volunteers and like to show it…from our Volunteer Happy Hour, to the Pep Rally, to our regatta day breakfasts and dinners…folks look forward to our hospitality.  Help plan, set-up, host, and break-down ~ we are looking for your special touch!  Regatta weekend provides many opportunities for the hospitality team to make volunteer, competitors and spectators feel welcome!
Launches
A great way to experience the Regatta – out on the water – with a referee.  Boating experience with an outboard engine is important, and you must agree to abide by regatta safety guidelines.  In addition to driving launches, there are support jobs that entail preparing launches each morning and providing general maintenance throughout weekend.
Logistics/Technology
The HOSR has many people working “behind the scenes” to ensure the regatta runs smoothly.  Set-up, break-down and overnight storage of major equipment.  Troubleshoot operational areas throughout the day.  Our logistics team = problem solvers.  You just never know what the day will bring!  Moderate lifting is required. Regatta operations depend heavily on technology and we are always in need of folks to set-up and troubleshoot laptops, display screens and internet service.  These folks keep other areas functioning!
Parking
Trailers, car-top shells, food trailers, vans, vehicles, buses, and pedestrians…oh my!  No one can compete or cheer if they (or their boats) can’t get to the regatta. Parking and traffic control is carefully managed to be sure all boat and food trailers have a place, and that competitors and spectators can get to the venue in a safe, timely manner.  Additional support is provided by City Departments.  This is an extremely important task as our parking volunteers are the first (and sometimes last) encounter that folks have with the regatta. Providing direction and answering questions with patience and a smile is a must.  Please consider helping in this critical area.
Photography/Social Media
There are ‘moments’ happening on, and off, the water throughout regatta weekend.  We need eyes and ears to capture those moments.  Pictures, videos, interviews…they tell a story, they help to share the HOSR experience.  Our photography volunteers are assigned to certain course areas/activities or wander about to uncover the authentic HOSR. Our social media team prepares and executes a plan for communicating to athletes and spectators throughout regatta weekend ~ from regatta activities, results, and updates to fun facts, sponsor promotion, and spontaneous commentary ~ our volunteers present a steady stream of information and engage our followers on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  Though communications is serious business, this team always seems to be having fun!
Registration
Welcome teams/competitors and distribute team registration packets at specified registration times and locations.  Assist with answering race questions from competitors and coaches, record any last-minute scratches/changes, and perform weigh-ins for lightweights. And we are all hands-on-deck for registration packet assembly the week prior to the regatta.
Timing
Want to be close to the action  ~ Track start time, split or finish time for each boat using electronic timing devices. Work with lead timing volunteers and staff who have brought fast, accurate, and fair timing to all regatta competitors. Training is provided for all timing volunteers. Jobs include spotter, scribe, and timer.  Neither rowing experience nor prior timing experience is required.  However, an attention to detail, comfort with technology, and desire to be “on” for your volunteer shift are crucial.  The race results are dependent upon this invaluable team of volunteers!
Zero Waste Team
We LOVE WHERE WE ROW.  And we know you do too! Our efforts to eliminate single-use water bottles and move toward zero waste grows each year; we are changing a culture, one regatta at a time. Our volunteers provide reusable water bottles, and encourage and manage recycling and composting along the regatta course, in both communal areas and team tents.  We generally work in teams of two, and we are always able to stop working to watch and cheer for races.  We need workers who are willing to get a little dirty and are able to communicate in a friendly but assertive way with teams.  We believe in being stewards of our waterway, our parks and our community; this team helps make it a little easier for everyone to get on board!

Volunteer Updates

10/10/24 – Fifteen days until “America’s Favorite Regatta” (mailchi.mp)