Job Type:
Volunteer
Job Location:
In-person at 1010 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson, MD 21204
About the Center for Nature Informed Therapy (CNIT)
The Center for Nature-Informed Therapy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people reconnect with the natural world as a source of healing, resilience, and belonging. We train mental health professionals and helping professionals to ethically integrate nature into their work, while also offering nature-based programs that support emotional well-being in the community.
Our programs include professional trainings, outdoor therapeutic experiences, grief-focused backpacking programs, resilience-building rock climbing, and accessible nature-based offerings for people who may otherwise face financial barriers to participation. Through scholarships and community partnerships, we work to make these experiences available to those with financial need and to helping professionals who are making a meaningful impact in their communities.
At CNIT, we believe the outdoors should not be treated as a luxury. It can be a place of connection, restoration, courage, and care. Volunteers help us carry this mission forward by keeping our programs safe, organized, and accessible.
About the Role:
Role Summary
The Center for Nature-Informed Therapy is seeking a detail-oriented volunteer to help organize, inspect, maintain, and prepare outdoor gear used in CNIT’s nature-based programs. These programs include Intro to Backpacking, Grief Training Through Backpacking, Rock Climbing for Resilience, and other scholarship-supported outdoor experiences.
CNIT uses this gear approximately 4–5 times per year to help reduce financial barriers for participants who may not own the equipment needed to safely take part. The Outdoor Gear Steward helps make sure our gear is clean, organized, safe, and ready for use.
Key Responsibilities
The volunteer may help with:
Organizing CNIT’s existing outdoor gear inventory
Creating or updating a simple gear inventory list
Inspecting gear for visible wear, damage, missing parts, or repair needs
Sorting gear into categories such as “ready to use,” “needs cleaning,” “needs repair,” “retire/remove,” and “program-specific”
Cleaning or airing out gear after use, when appropriate
Flagging items that need professional repair or staff review
Helping prepare gear before CNIT outdoor programs
Checking gear back in after programs
Sewing or attaching CNIT patches to selected non-technical gear, such as bags, stuff sacks, outerwear, or other approved items
Keeping gear storage neat, labeled, and easy for facilitators to access
Requirements:
This role may be a good fit for someone who:
Enjoys outdoor gear, camping, hiking, backpacking, or climbing
Is organized and detail-oriented
Can notice wear, damage, missing pieces, or cleanliness issues
Has basic sewing or repair skills, or is willing to learn
Is comfortable following simple checklists and inventory systems
Appreciates CNIT’s mission of making nature-based mental health programs more accessible
Can work independently after basic guidance
Outdoor leadership experience is helpful but not required.
Compensation & Benefits:
This is a volunteer position and does not include wages or financial compensation. Volunteer benefits are offered as a thank-you for the time, care, and support volunteers bring to CNIT’s mission.
For this role, volunteers may qualify for CNIT’s volunteer appreciation benefits based on their level of service.
Occasional Volunteers
Volunteers who help with one event or short project, typically under 5 hours, may choose one thank-you benefit after their service:
10% off a future in-person training or public program, up to $100 off
50% off a future live online training
Free access to one on-demand workshop recording
Sustained Volunteers
Volunteers who contribute 5 or more hours per month for 3 consecutive months, or who support 3 or more CNIT events or projects in a calendar year, may qualify for sustained volunteer benefits, including:
25% off in-person trainings and public programs, up to $250 off
Free access to up to 3 online trainings or professional-development webinars per calendar year
One free CNIT merchandise item each year
Annual Volunteer Spotlight feature on the CNIT website and newsletter
Official service verification letter documenting hours and role
Eligibility for CNIT’s annual Volunteer Recognition Award
Volunteer benefits are non-transferable, subject to program availability, and may not be combined with other promotions. Some trainings or partner-led programs may be excluded. Benefits are subject to change as CNIT’s programs evolve.
How to Apply:
To apply for the Outdoor Gear Steward volunteer role, please complete CNIT’s Volunteer Application Form.
When completing the application, please check “Outdoor Gear Steward” in the section asking which volunteer opportunity or role you are interested in.
After we receive your application, a CNIT team member will follow up with next steps.
Please email info@natureinformedtherapy.org with any questions.