I can't begin to tell you the number of times racers have come up to me and expressed how our friendly and helpful volunteer staff has really made the Ambush Adventure Racing experience memorable. Without our volunteers, these events just couldn't happen, and I want to thank you in advance for even considering helping out. My only fear is that when people figure out my little secret, they'll realize it's way more fun to stand around the Hash House drinking coffee than it is to be out racing, and there won't be anyone left to compete.

There are as many reasons to volunteer as there are volunteers themselves...

• You're the kind of person who likes to be involved, not the kind of person who likes to sit in the stands and watch - well...if we had stands, that is... When you volunteer at an Ambush Adventure Race, you are as much a part of the action as the racers themselves.
• You're thinking about adventure racing yourself, and want to get a feel for the sport before you jump right in. There's no better way to see what it takes than to be intimately involved like you will be when you volunteer. It's like working in the pits at the Indy 500, caddying at the Masters or singing back-up for the Stones...or maybe not...
• Your 'significant other' is an adventure racer (you poor thing...) and you want to support them. Better than being an 'AR widow'.
• You want to RACE FOR FREE !!! If you just can't afford the high cost of racing every weekend, you can EARN FREE RACE CREDITS with our very generous volunteer appreciation program.

There are three main areas where we need help:

1. At the START/FINISH we need help with everything from parking, to registration/check-in to event scoring. Most of our races end with a picnic and social hour and we can always use friendly faces for food service and hospitality.
2. During the race itself we need people to staff manned checkpoints. Most of the time these are along roads and it involves sitting in your car and helping to keep track of racers as they come by. Sometimes though, it may require a hike into the woods and a fairly long time away from other support - you lets us know your preferences, and we'll find a spot that's right for you.
3. After the event itself we usually need help cleaning up and pulling CP markers off the course. This does not always have to be done immediately after the race, and is a good way to get a little workout and navigation practice in.

It's easy - just email bradhunt@lambsheadguide.com and let him know you're interested. We have good jobs for everyone and you may end up enjoying volunteering as much as you do racing!

You mean in addition to all of the intangible benefits mentioned above? You can earn "race credits" that will allow you to race for free!!! These can be transferred or traded, and although they have no cash value, can be worth quite a bit.

We generally offer a two-for-one deal, whereby you get an hour's worth of credit for each hour of racing. If you volunteer at a 6 hour race, you will get 3 hours worth of race credits. Some people who volunteered for last year's PHEAR and stayed on duty the entire time, got a season's worth of adventure racing without spending a cent. Sometimes we will make even better deals for especially difficult duty, or long travel times.

In addition to all that, we occasionally have event T-shirts and other schwag and are usually just as inclined to give it away to volunteers as to racers. And of course, you are welcome to join us for the post race picnic and AR Happy Hour.

A couple of things to help you enjoy your volunteer experience:

• Proper clothing - Races take place rain or shine (or snow, or sleet or dark of night) so make sure you are dressed appropriately. It can get cold just standing around "doing nothing", and you can be out longer than you might exect, so be sure and bring plenty of warm clothes.
• Food - Most of our races are located far away from the nearest restaurant (or even convenience store). Although we normally serve food after the race, we usually don't start to prepare it until close to the finish, so bring enough snacks and beverages to hold you over. This is especially important if you are stationed at a remote checkpoint as you will be unable to leave to resupply. It usually isn't practical (or even permissable in some cases) to build a fire, so a small propane cookstove is good for hot soup, tea or coffee.
• Headlamp - We often get started early and stay late and it gets dark in the woods sonner than you expect.
• Other - If you are willing to staff a remote "walk-in" checkpoint, then you will probably need day hiking or backpacking gear. We're going to assume that if you have volunteered for this particular duty that you already know what you need to do, just don't underestimate the amount of time you'll be out of contact.
• A magazine or book to read, balls to juggle, musical instrument to practice, knitting or something else to kill time. Racers can get quite spread out in the longer races, so something to occupy your mind will make the time go a lot faster.
• ...and finally, the most important thing of all...extra toilet paper!