Join Our Team
Once in a Lifetime Experience
Volunteer/Work
Throughout its history, Holden has operated through the efforts of hundreds of volunteers annually. Some share their time and talents for just two weeks, and others serve for multiple years. Holden also hires a limited number of skilled employees who provide consistent leadership and supervision.
If you have a few weeks, months, or years to experience something new, we have a place for you.
Whether you join our staff for two weeks or an extended period of time, many of the benefits are the same:
- You’ll live in the midst of stunning scenic wilderness, just a few minutes’ walk to work.
- You’ll have access to amazing hiking opportunities, community activities, learning sessions, art studios and other educational opportunities!
- You’ll join a caring community rooted in Christian values, welcoming people of all spiritual, faith, and wisdom backgrounds.
- You’ll enjoy a simpler, ‘less-plugged-in’ lifestyle in the wilderness (and still have access to wifi to stay connected).
- You’ll have time and opportunity to explore new interests and learn new things.
- You’ll be invited to contribute to community life, and be more than your job assignment.
- You’ll have fun! Traditions of ‘Holden Hilarity’ have been passed down through our staff for generations.
Are you thinking that time on staff at Holden Village might be right for you? The first thing to decide is how long you would like to serve:
Join us for a week of work and relaxation, transitioning our remote community from one season to the next! Whether this is your first visit or your fiftieth, Holden invites you to lend your time and talents for community projects and summer or winter preparations. All arrivals will be on Monday with departures on Sunday with no exceptions. Space is limited, so please apply early. Apply to join us for one or both weeks.
Spring 2023 Work Week Dates:
Week 1: April 24-30
Week 2: May 1-7
Due to last years late winter and this years intense winter, we have made the decision to delay Spring Work Weeks by one week. Please email staffing@holdenvillage.org if you have any questions.
If you can serve for at least two weeks up to several months, we invite you to come as a short-term volunteer. You’ll receive free lodging and meals and some additional benefits depending on your length of stay. Short-term volunteers are welcome throughout the year but critical in our busiest seasons from June through August and during the holidays in November and December. We request that all staff members arrive on a Friday.
The Family Work Option is a program that was developed to allow families with school-age children (ages 4 to 17) to serve on staff in the summer. Adult volunteers who wish to bring children may only do so if they are the parent or legal guardian of those children.
Family Work Option Logistics
All Families: Youth 12 & 13 and over participate in Garbology and Dish Team. Youth age 14 & 15 volunteer half time in a work area in addition to Garbology and Dish Team. Youth age 16 & 17 work full-time in a work area in addition to Garbology and Dish Team. Youth 18 and up can apply independently as adults and should submit an application according to the instructions on the Holden Job Board. Work area positions and descriptions are listed on our website on the Holden Job Board. Please only select positions that are open to Short-Term applications. All adults also participate in Garbology and Dish Team. Garbology and Dish Team involve serving the Village by sorting trash and recyclables, composting food waste, washing dishes, and cleaning the dining hall after meals.
Two-adult families: Both adults participate in Garbology and Dish Team. If any of your children are under 12, one adult volunteers full-time (36 hours/week) and one adult volunteers half-time (during youth program hours). If all of your children are 12 and over, both adults volunteer full-time (36 hours/week).
Single-adult families: The adult participates in Garbology and Dish Team. If any of your children are under 12, you volunteer half-time (during youth program hours). If all of your children are 12 and over, you work full-time (36 hours/week).
Childcare: Children ages 4-15 will participate in Holden’s youth programs, which are not available for the whole workday. This means that for children 4-11, one adult works half-time during youth program hours (mornings) and cares for their own children in the afternoon. For children 12 and over, there may be some unsupervised time when there is no youth programming and the adults are at work. Holden is unable to provide childcare outside of our normal guest youth programming. If your child is 12 and over and requires more supervision, please apply as though your child is under 12.
Housing: Families are mostly housed in one room with multiple beds and share a community bathroom down the hall.
We are now accepting applications! See “How to Apply: Family Option” below for the application and information regarding the application process.
The priority deadline for applications is March 1st, 2023
If you can commit to serve for three to four months (typically between May and September), you may be eligible for a seasonal leadership role. People hired in these positions receive a small stipend along with room and board. We request that all staff members arrive on a Friday.
Open Seasonal Volunteer Opportunities
- Business Team: Floater (Registrar/Store/Post Office) – Accepting Applications for Summer 2023
- Children and Youth Programming: Narnia Head – Accepting Applications for Summer 2023
- Children and Youth Programming: Youth Program Coordinator – Accepting Applications for Summer 2023
- Food Services: Seasonal Head Cook – Accepting Applications for Summer 2023
- Hike Haus Head – Accepting Applications for Summer 2023
- Housekeeping Seasonal Services Associate – Accepting Applications for Summer 2023
- IT/Media Assistant – Open Now
- Medic Backup – Open Now
- Naturalist – Accepting Applications for Summer 2023
- Pool Hall Head – Accepting Applications for Summer 2023
- Trails Crew Coordinator – Accepting Applications for Summer 2023
- Children and Youth Programming: Middle School/High School Head – Accepting Applications for Summer 2023
We have a wide range of volunteer opportunities available for people who commit for one year. These positions receive a stipend, room, board, insurance, and other benefits. Long term volunteers serve in many areas of the Village: administration, arts, building maintenance, programming, and more. We request that all staff members arrive on a Friday.
High Priority Long Term Volunteer Positions
- Housekeeping Services Associate
- Ceramic Studio Technician (Open March 2023)
- Program Associate (Open February 2023)
- Head Driver
- Vice Maverick
Other Open Long Term Volunteer Opportunities
- Carpenter
- Donor Relations and Database Coordinator
- Physical Plant Coordinator
- Electrician
- IT/Media Associate
- Mechanic
- Mechanic Apprentice
- Plumber
Holden Village has many opportunities for skilled workers in leadership and supervisory positions. Requiring at least a two-year commitment, Holden employees receive a salary, room, board, insurance, and other benefits. We request that all staff members arrive on a Friday.
Open Employee Positions
How to Apply
Once you decide how long you want to be at Holden Village, we can help you find the right role. Often, your assignment will be based on your own preferences balanced by the Village’s needs. You may be using existing skills or have the chance to try something new. Please fill out our application to start the process.
1. Complete and email to staffing@holdenvillage.org:
2. Complete and email to medic@holdenvillage.org:
3. Send the Reference Form to the individuals you listed in your Staff Application and ask them to email their completed form staffing@holdenvillage.
4. If applying for a Summer Seasonal Head, Long-Term or Employee position, please also email your Resume to staffing@www.holdenvillage.org.
Once we have received all your application materials, we will notify you that your application is complete. Applications may include a phone or video interview. It normally takes 3-4 weeks for a decision to be made about short-term positions, and longer for positions with long-term commitments. If you have any questions or concerns please email staffing@www.holdenvillage.org.
How to Apply: Family Option
We are so glad that your family is interested in volunteering at Holden Village! Family Option is a program that was developed to allow families with school-age children (ages 4-17) to serve on staff in the summer. Adult volunteers who wish to bring children may only do so if they are the parent or legal guardian of those children. Please fill out our application to start the process.
Summer 2023 Family Option Sessions:
Session 1: June 9 – June 23
Session 2: June 23 – July 7
Session 3: July 7 – July 21
Session 4: July 21 – August 4
Session 5: August 4 – August 18
Session 6: August 18 – September 1
To apply for the Summer 2023 Family Option:
1. Complete and email to staffing@holdenvillage.org:
- Family Option Application – 1 application per family
- Release Waiver & Code of Conduct (1 for each family member age 12+)
- Staff Agreement (1 for each family member age 12+)
2. Complete and email to medic@holdenvillage.org:
- Health & Wellness Form (1 for each family member)
3. Send the Reference Form (1 reference per family) to the individual you listed in your Application and ask them to email their completed form to staffing@holdenvillage.org
Once we have received all your application materials, we will notify you that your application is complete. The priority deadline for applications is March 1st. Decisions for applications received on or before March 1st will be communicated via email one April 1st. May 1st is the final day you can submit a Family Option Application for Summer 2023. If you have any questions or concerns please email staffing@www.holdenvillage.org.
Work Weeks
Join us for a week of work and relaxation, transitioning our remote community from one season to the next! Whether this is your first visit or your fiftieth, Holden invites you to lend your time and talents for community projects and summer or winter preparations. All arrivals will be on Monday with departures on Sunday with no exceptions. Space is limited, so please apply early. Apply to join us for one or both weeks.
How to Apply
1. Complete and email to staffing@holdenvillage.org:
Work Week Application – Will be available January 15th, 2023
Release Waiver & Code of Conduct
Staff Agreement
2. Complete and email to medic@holdenvillage.org:
Why Holden?
Read More
The Best of All Worlds: Traveling, Volunteering and Working in Retirement by Barbara J. Tuttle in Next Avenue, July 22, 2022
Holden Village: Walking the ‘all are welcome’ talk by Cheryl Murfin in Seattle’s Child, July 17, 2022
