The practical answers, before you commit a Saturday.
When to arrive
Plan to arrive 15–30 minutes before your shift — and give yourself extra time your first time, so you can park, find volunteer check-in, and get your bearings without rushing. At check-in you'll get your badge, your role instructions, and directions to your lead or a quick training.
How long you're committing
Shifts typically run 2 to 4 hours, and some roles are all-day (judging, for example, follows the event's own rhythm — see Being a judge). Working just one shift is genuinely helpful; don't feel you have to give the whole day.
Food
Lunch is typically provided for volunteers — though that's up to each event's organizer, so check with your event if it matters for your plans.
What to wear
Casual and comfortable is right — you'll be on your feet. One rule: if you're judging, don't wear a team's shirt. Judges need to look (and be) neutral.
Ages
Volunteering is a family activity at our events:
- Field reset can be done by any age — it's one of the best first roles for kids.
- Scorekeeper referees should generally be 15 or older for VEX IQ; this guidance is evolving, so check the current certification requirements if you're close to the line.
Volunteering at your own kid's event
Yes — and we're glad to have you. You can take any role at an event your child competes in, with one rule: judges self-report the conflict so they're excluded from judging their own child's team. Just tell the Judge Advisor when assignments are made.
Parking, entrances, start times
Those are event-specific — check your event's page and any email from its organizer.