A Guide to the 2nd Annual Outer Banks Volunteer Week

October 10-17, 2026

The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau is pleased to present the 2nd Annual Outer Banks Volunteer Week, taking place October 10-17, 2026. Visitors, residents and second homeowners can use the week to build a closer connection with the community through volunteer opportunities offered by local nonprofit organizations.

This initiative is part of the Bureau’s Voluntourism program. Volunteer Week supports local partners, encourages off-season visitation to Dare County and showcases the continuing efforts that help care for and sustain the Outer Banks.

Volunteer Week Opportunities

Volunteer opportunities scheduled during the week include:

• Oct 10 — VOLUNTEER: 'Keep it Clean, Kitty Hawk' Community Cleanup
• Oct 10 — VOLUNTEER: DEF FALL OUTDOOR CLASSROOM SPRUCE UP - MANTEO MIDDLE SCHOOL
  Manteo Middle School
• Oct 10 — VOLUNTEER: Island Farm Pumpkin Patch
  Island Farm
• Oct 10 — VOLUNTEER: Outer Banks Sporting Events 'Another Round 25K'
  Jockey's Ridge State Park
• Oct 11 — VOLUNTEER: Duck Jazz Festival
• Oct 13 — VOLUNTEER: DEF FALL OUTDOOR CLASSROOM SPRUCE UP - CAPE HATTERAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
  Cape Hatteras Elementary School
• Oct 13 — VOLUNTEER: Outer Banks Relief Foundation Beach Cleanup
  Outer Banks Relief Foundation
• Oct 14 — VOLUNTEER: Dare County Master Gardeners Arboretum Projects
• Oct 14 — VOLUNTEER: Nags Head Woods Trail Project
  The Nature Conservancy at Nags Head Woods Preserve
• Oct 15 — VOLUNTEER: Bluegrass Island Music Festival
  Roanoke Island Festival Park
  Recurring daily until October 16, 2026
• Oct 15 — VOLUNTEER: DEF FALL OUTDOOR CLASSROOM SPRUCE UP - FIRST FLIGHT HIGH SCHOOL
  First Flight High School
• Oct 17 — VOLUNTEER: DEF FALL OUTDOOR CLASSROOM SPRUCE UP - FIRST FLIGHT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
  First Flight Elementary School
• Oct 17 — VOLUNTEER: Friends of Jockey's Ridge Soundside Sweep and Marine Debris Cleanup
• Oct 17 — VOLUNTEER: Island Farm Pumpkin Patch
  Island Farm
• Oct 17 — VOLUNTEER: Outer Banks Seafood Festival
  The Soundside Event Site

2025 Outer Banks Volunteer Week

The following organizations supported and participated in the inaugural Outer Banks Volunteer Week, held October 11-18, 2025:

• Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation
• Town of Duck
• Town of Kitty Hawk
• Town of Nags Head
• Island Farm
• Outer Banks Relief Foundation
• Dare Extension Master Gardeners
• Outer Banks Sporting Events
• Bluegrass Island Music Festival

Additional Voluntourism Resources

• About Voluntourism
• Plan Your Volunteer Week Trip
• Outer Banks Accommodations
• Visiting the OBX in the Fall
• Responsible Travel
• Make the Outer Banks Promise
• Outer Banks Long-Range Tourism Management Plan
• 'Voluntourism on the OBX' Video Series
• Elizabethan Gardens
• Friends of Jockey's Ridge
• Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station
• Beach Food Pantry
• Outer Banks SPCA
• Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
• Town of Duck Sweep
• OBX Community Foundation

Stewardship Resources

Protecting What We Love, Together

Responsible Travel on the Outer Banks

OBX Stewardship Bucket List

Get Involved on Your OBX Vacation

Make the Outer Banks Promise

The Outer Banks Promise is a voluntary commitment designed to encourage responsible behavior, protect the area’s natural environment and cultural heritage, and strengthen stewardship and safety. Residents and visitors are invited to do their part to safeguard the Outer Banks for future generations by making their Promise.