Voluntourism: Care for the OBX Like a Local

From beach clean-ups and restoration projects to fundraisers supporting non-profit organizations, there are many ways to help preserve the OBX.

Voluntourism on the Outer Banks

Volunteering on the Outer Banks builds awareness of—and personal connection to—the important work carried out by more than 100 Dare County nonprofits. Residents, visitors, and second homeowners who participate with local organizations gain a deeper appreciation for the area and a stronger sense of responsibility. Together, we can protect the places we love.

Find a Volunteer Opportunity

The Volunteer OBX portal serves as an online community hub for doing good. It lets people search for and sign up for volunteer opportunities based on their interests and schedules. The portal also gives local Dare County nonprofits and community organizations FREE tools for recruiting, engaging, and retaining volunteers, connecting willing hands with the projects that need them most. Learn more and get started at VolunteerOBX.com.

2nd Annual Outer Banks Volunteer Week: October 10-17, 2026

The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau will host the 2nd Annual Outer Banks Volunteer Week from October 10-17, 2026. Visitors, residents, and second homeowners will have several opportunities to connect more deeply with the community by volunteering with local organizations on a range of projects and events.

As part of the Bureau's expanding Voluntourism program, Volunteer Week is designed to support local partners, encourage off-season visitation to Dare County, and showcase the continuing work involved in caring for and sustaining the Outer Banks.

Volunteer Spotlight: Cycle NC Mountains to Coast Ride (October 9-10)

The Cycle North Carolina Mountains to Coast Ride is a 7-day, fully supported bicycle tour along scenic back roads that highlight rural North Carolina. Manteo is among the eight towns selected as overnight hosts while the event travels across the state. Cyclists ride an average of 60-65 miles between overnight towns each day.

Volunteers are needed to serve beverages, prepare and serve fruit and other snacks, and assist with general event duties:

• Friday, October 9 | Creef Cut Trail, Manns Harbor, NC | 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
• Saturday, October 10 | Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hills, NC | 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM
• Saturday, October 10 | Bodie Island Lighthouse, Nags Head, NC | 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM

'Voluntourism on the OBX' Video Series

• Friends of Jockey's Ridge
• Elizabethan Gardens
• Outer Banks SPCA
• Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station
• Beach Food Pantry
• Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
• OBX Community Foundation
• Town of Duck Sweep

Outer Banks Voluntourism 'In the News'

• Best Places to Travel in 2025 — BBC - May 2025
• Reshaping Tourism and Travel in North Carolina — Business NC - May 2025
• Working Vacay? — Outer Banks Milepost - Issue 13.2, April 2024
• Volunteering While Vacationing — King Air Magazine - March 2024

Group Voluntourism Guide

Dare County Nonprofit Organizations

The directory contains 99 local nonprofit organizations and can be explored by region and category.

Regions

• Kill Devil Hills (36)
• Manteo (34)
• Nags Head (25)
• Kitty Hawk (24)
• Frisco (22)

Categories

• Education (20)
• History and Culture (19)
• Health and Wellness (18)
• Environment (16)
• Charity Groups (10)

Listed Organizations

• Autism Society of North Carolina — 109 Veterans Drive
• Beach Food Pantry — 4007 N Croatan Hwy
• Better Beaches OBX — 150 Tall Cliff Court
• Blue Star Mothers of America — P.O. Box 1550
• Cape Hatteras United Methodist Men — P.O. Box 1591
• Charitocracy — PO Box 7241
• Chicamacomico Historical Association — P.O. Box 5
• Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station Historic Site — 23645 N.C. Hwy 12
• Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County — 534 Ananias Dare Street
• Coastal Carolina Purple Martin Society — P.O. Box 339
• Coastal Humane Society — P.O. Box 1331
• Coastal Studies Institute — 850 NC 345
• Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society — 100 Conservation Way
• Community Care Clinic of Dare — 425 Health Center Drive
• Community for Kids — 715 Highway 64

Upcoming Community Events

The community events calendar includes events in the Family Friendly, Sports, Voluntourism, Concerts & Music, and Festivals categories.

Featured Events

• Oct 01 — Halloween Island
  Recurring weekly on Thursday, Friday, Saturday until October 31, 2026

• Oct 02 — U.S. Open Waveski Championships
  Recurring daily until October 4, 2026
  Jennette's Pier

• Oct 03 — Island Farm Pumpkin Patch Saturdays
  Island Farm

• Oct 03 — Which Craft Surf Gathering
  Outer Banks Community Foundation

• Oct 10 — Duck Jazz Festival
  Recurring daily until October 11, 2026
  1200 Duck Road

• Oct 14 — Bluegrass Island Music Festival
  Recurring daily until October 17, 2026
  Roanoke Island Festival Park

• Oct 14 — Nags Head Surf Fishing Tournament
  Recurring daily until October 16, 2026
  Nags Head Surf Fishing Club

• Oct 17 — Outer Banks Seafood Festival
  The Soundside Event Site

• Oct 21 — NCBBA Red Drum Tournament
  Recurring daily until October 24, 2026
  Hatteras

• Oct 23 — Halloween International Film Festival
  Recurring daily until October 24, 2026

• Oct 24 — Outer Banks Brewtag
  The Soundside Event Site

• Oct 25 — Outer Banks Halloween Parade of Costumes

• Sep 29 — Dune Hike
  Jockey's Ridge State Park

• Sep 29 — Kayak on the Sound

• Sep 29 — Live Music Under The Hut - Tuesday 9/29/26
  Beachcombers Tiki Hut

The calendar displays 45 events for the selected dates of Sep 29th - Oct 29th, including events scheduled during September 2026, October 2026, and November 2026.