Carlsbad

Volunteering in Carlsbad

We do our best to list all the nonprofit service organizations and public agencies that rely on volunteers to fulfill their mission. Please visit our Contact Us page to suggest additions we may have overlooked, or submit corrections.

Cultural / Civic Organizations

Carlsbad Community Emergency Response Team
760-434-2908
www.carlsbadca.gov/departments/emergecy-services/cert
When large-scale incidents occur, CERT volunteers provide neighbor-helping-neighbor assistance before the arrival of Carlsbad firefighters, police or other first responders, as directed by the city’s Emergency Preparedness Coordinator.

Carlsbad Fire Department Foundation
www.carlsbadfdf.org/
Assisting the Carlsbad Fire Department through supplemental funding, education, community outreach, and scholarships.

Carlsbad Historical Society
760-434-9189
www.carlsbadhistoricalsociety.com
The Society operates a museum near Magee Park dedicated to the history of Carlsbad.

Carlsbad Police Department
www.carlsbadca.gov/departments/police
The Police Department needs volunteers for its juvenile first-time offender diversionary hearing panels, assisting with office work at the station, assisting 9-1-1 dispatchers, serving on the Senior Volunteer Patrol, or serving in the reserve program.

Carlsbad Public Library
760-602 2049
library.carlsbadca.gov/
The Library needs volunteers to serve as after-school tutors to local students, and delivering books to homebound residents. Also, teen volunteers are sought for summer reading programs for younger children.

Carlsbad Senior Center
760-602-4650
www.carlsbadca.gov/departments/parks-recreation/adults-50
The Senior Center is located downtown, and volunteers are needed to help serve meals, and to deliver meals to homebound residents.

Carlsbad Unified School District
www.carlsbadusd.k12.ca.us
The District operates two high schools, three middle schools, an academy, and nine elementary schools. Each campus has its own volunteer program and needs.

County Department of Animal Services – North Shelter
619-236-2341
www.sddac.com
Volunteers provide animal care and exercise, cleaning animal bedding, greeting the public, and performing community outreach.

Joe Martin Craftsmanship Museum
760-727-9492
www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com
The Museum is located in eastern Carlsbad, and is dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of small, precision crafted engines and other devices. The museum has re-opened under County health guidelines for COVID-19.

Leo Carrillo Ranch
760-476-1042
carrillo-ranch.org
The former Rancho de los Quiotes, which was at one point the private residence of Hollywood actor Leo Carrillo, preserves the Spanish and Mexican heritage of the Carlsbad area. Volunteer docents lead tours, guide school groups, or help staff the visitor’s center.

Museum of Making Music
760-438-5996
www.museumofmakingmusic.org
The Museum is located near Legoland, and celebrates the history of the musical instruments industry. Volunteers serve as docents, gift shop clerks, event staff, and with general clerical duties in the office. The museum is currently closed for renovation.

Parks / Wilderness

Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation
760-804-1969
www.aguahedionda.org
The Foundation operates a visitors center on the south shore of the lagoon. Volunteers lead tours, help staff the museum, assist with general office work, and help maintain the trails.

Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation
760-931-0800
www.batiquitosfoundation.org
The Foundation operates a nature center on the north shore of the lagoon. Visitors lead tours and help maintain the trails.

Carlsbad Highlands Ecological Reserve
858-467-4201
wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Carlsbad-Highlands-ER
The Reserve is operated by the California Department of Fish & Wildlife, and features hiking trails.

Lake Calavera Preserve
www.carlsbadca.gov/departments/environmental-sustainability/habitat-protection/preserves-list/lake-calavera
This city-owned preserve in eastern Carlsbad is managed by the nonprofit Center for Natural Lands Management. Interested volunteers can call the San Diego County office at 619-295-4953 or visit www.cnlm.org/volunteer-opportunities/.

Service Organizations

Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotary
carlsbadhinoonrotary.org
This service club holds a variety of fundraisers, with monies raised gifted to other nonprofit organizations throughout the community

Habitat for Humanity – Carlsbad ReStore
sandiegohabitat.org
Habitat for Humanity helps families achieve the dream of home ownership. You can help us by volunteering in the following ways: Help build or rehabilitate a home at a construction site, coordinate a group build day, volunteer in the ReStore, assist with office needs and administrative duties

Novus Veteris Masonic Lodge No. 864 F&AM
760-502-6002
novusfreemason.org
This Masonic Lodge supports the California Masonic Foundation’s childhood literacy program.

Optimist Club of Carlsbad
www.optimistclubofcarlsbad.org
This service club raises money to support Kelly Elementary School, and organizes and runs an annual oratory contest for local students to improve their public speaking skills.

Rotary Club of Carlsbad
www.carlsbadrotary.com
Each year, this service club raises more than $30,000 which is then distributed to local nonprofit groups working to serve the community.

Soroptimist International of Oceanside-Carlsbad
www.sioceansidecarlsbad.com
This women’s service club raises money to award as college scholarships for local female students.

Youth Enrichment Programs

Boy Scouts of America
619-298-6121
www.sdicbsa.org
Volunteers help plan and staff day camps, resident camps, camporees and other large, multi-unit events; assist with fund-raising; serve on Eagle boards of review; and serve as Merit Badge counselors and STEM mentors.

Carlsbad AYSO
ayso.bluesombrero.com/region1656
This league offers recreational soccer opportunities for boys and girls.

Carlsbad Fast Pitch Softball Association
www.carlsbadsoftball.org
Both recreational and competitive softball for girls are offered each year.

Carlsbad Pop Warner Football
www.carlsbadpopwarner.com
This program offers flag, tackle and special needs football opportunities for youth.

Carlsbad Youth Baseball
www.cbaseball.com

This league offers both recreational and competitive baseball.

Carlsbad Youth Volleyball
carlsbad.youthvolleyball.com
This league offers recreational volleyball programs for boys and girls.

Girl Scouts of the USA
619-298-8391
www.sdgirlscouts.org
Volunteers help staff day camps, assist with adult training workshops, sit on the Gold Award Committee, assist in the local Scout office, and mentor girls through the advancement program.

La Costa Youth Organization (baseball / softball)
www.lcyo.org/
This program offers both baseball and fastpitch softball programs.

Tri-City Thunder Rugby
www.thunderrugbyclub.com
This league offers rugby for boys and girls ages 7-17.