Volunteering

What Volunteers Do

Volunteers are an important part of the day-to-day operation of Green Climbers Home. At any given time, around six volunteers work at each camp, helping us run the camp, support our guests, and maintain the climbing areas. The volunteer position is varied and combines hospitality, climbing instruction, and route maintenance. In addition, there are occasional creative and practical projects throughout the season.

Working Hours

Volunteers work approximately 5 hours per day, 6 days per week. The work is spread across different tasks and shifts, which keeps the days varied. There is still plenty of time left for climbing, exploring the area, or simply relaxing at camp.

What Skills Do I Need?

There is a lot to learn during the first weeks. None of it is particularly difficult, but Green Climbers Home is a unique place with many different systems and responsibilities. For this reason, we ask volunteers to stay for a minimum of two months. Shorter stays do not leave enough time to learn the role and become fully integrated into the team. During the first week, new volunteers work shadow shifts alongside experienced volunteers. This allows them to learn the daily routines, understand how the camp operates, and become comfortable with their responsibilities before working independently.

You do not need experience in hospitality, climbing instruction, route maintenance, or construction before arriving. Most volunteers learn these skills at camp through training and by working alongside more experienced volunteers. What matters most is having a friendly and welcoming personality, being comfortable talking to people from different backgrounds, and being willing to learn. Since volunteers regularly interact with guests from all over the world, good English communication skills are essential. We are looking for people who are reliable, positive, and able to work independently once they have learned the basics. A willingness to help wherever needed is far more important than arriving with a long list of qualifications.

Restaurant and Reception Shifts

A large part of the volunteer work takes place in and around the restaurant, which is the social centre of the camp.

Tasks may include:

• Checking guests in and helping them settle into camp
• Supporting our Lao staff with taking orders
• Serving food and drinks
• Working behind the bar
• Answering questions about climbing, accommodation, and the local area
• Helping create a welcoming atmosphere for guests

Climbing Courses

Volunteers also help teach climbing courses for guests who are new to climbing. To keep instruction consistent and maintain high safety standards, every volunteer who teaches courses first completes a one-day instructor training course at the camp.

The course covers:

• Teaching methods
• Safety procedures
• Standardised course content
• Practical instruction techniques

Once trained, volunteers help introduce new climbers to the sport and guide them through their first climbing experience.

Route Maintenance

The climbing areas around the camp require constant care and maintenance. Depending on current needs, volunteers may help with:

• Cleaning routes
• Maintaining access trails
• Replacing worn equipment
• General crag maintenance
• Preparing climbing areas for the season

This work helps keep the climbing safe, enjoyable, and accessible for everyone.

Creative and Special Projects

Not all volunteer work follows a fixed schedule.

Throughout the season, volunteers often contribute to creative and practical projects such as:

• Painting signs for crags and trails
• Creating artwork around camp
• Building or improving facilities
• Repairing equipment
• Helping with special projects that improve camp life

Volunteers with useful skills or creative ideas are always encouraged to contribute.

Seasonal Tasks

Some work depends on the time of year.

At the beginning of the season, volunteers help prepare the camp and climbing areas for opening. This may include clearing vegetation from trails, cleaning facilities, and getting infrastructure ready for guests.

At the end of the season, volunteers help pack equipment, store materials, and prepare the camp for the rainy season closure.

What We Provide

In exchange for helping run the camp, volunteers receive accommodation and food throughout their stay.

Accommodation

Volunteers stay free of charge in the staff dormitory.

Those who prefer more privacy are also welcome to bring their own tent. In that case, we provide a mattress and bed sheets, so there is no need to bring a full camping setup.

Food

All volunteers receive free meals from the restaurant during their stay.

Drinks and Extras

Some items that are not included in the volunteer package are available at reduced prices for volunteers. This includes things such as beer, whisky, cake, and certain other snacks and treats.

Interested in Volunteering?

If you think you'd be a good fit for the Green Climbers Home volunteer team, we'd love to hear from you.

Please send your application and answers to the volunteer questionnaire to:

fai@greenclimbershome.com

Be sure to include your available dates, climbing experience, and any skills or previous volunteer experience that may be relevant.

We review applications throughout the year and will get back to you as soon as possible.

Green Climbers Home Volunteer Application

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Green Climbers Home. Please answer the questions below and send your responses by email.

Basic Information

• Full Name:
• Age:
• Nationality:
• Current Country of Residence:
• Dates Available:
• Minimum Length of Stay:
• Comfortable Sport Climbing Lead Grade:
• Do you have your own climbing equipment? If yes, please list what you have:

About You

Why would you like to volunteer at Green Climbers Home?

What interests you most about this position?

What skills or experiences would you like to gain while volunteering with us?

What do you enjoy most about living and working in a shared community?

Experience

Have you volunteered or worked in a similar environment before? Please describe.

What experience do you have working with guests, customers, or hospitality?

Have you ever taught climbing, guided outdoor activities, coached sports, or instructed others? Please describe.

Do you hold any climbing, guiding, rescue, first aid, or wilderness medicine certifications?

Have you participated in route development, rebolting, anchor replacement, or other route maintenance work? Please describe.

Do you have any practical skills that may be useful around camp?

Examples:

• Carpentry
• Plumbing
• Electrical work
• Welding
• Trail work
• Landscaping
• Painting
• Photography
• Video editing
• Website work
• Graphic design
• Social media
• Other

Communication & Teamwork

How comfortable are you communicating in English?

• Basic
• Conversational
• Fluent
• Native Speaker

Tell us about a time you received critical feedback. How did you respond?

What would previous coworkers, climbing partners, or teammates say are your biggest strengths?

What would they say is an area where you could improve?

Self Assessment

Please rate yourself from 1–5 (1 = beginner, 5 = expert).

Climbing

• Teaching beginner climbers:
• Top-rope belaying:
• Lead belaying:
• Lead climbing:
• Cleaning sport climbing anchors:
• Multi-pitch climbing:

Hospitality

• Customer service:
• Taking food and drink orders:
• Working behind a bar:
• Handling guest problems:

Camp & Maintenance

• Trail maintenance:
• General repairs:
• Carpentry:
• Landscaping:
• Painting:

Final Question

Is there anything else you would like us to know about yourself, your skills, or your reasons for applying?