Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 19, and get ready for CityCamp NYC!
BetaNYC is looking for volunteers to support this year’s CityCamp NYC, a one-day unconference that brings together New York City’s civic tech, data, and design communities.
On Saturday, September 19, 2026, Hunter College will host this gathering of civic hackers and public interest technologists as they collaborate to improve city services and public institutions
CityCamp is a space to connect, explore solutions, and envision a better city. Volunteers are essential to making it all happen, from welcoming attendees to scribing sessions and keeping the day running smoothly.
If you’re looking for a way to contribute your time and energy to impact civic life, we invite you to join us as a volunteer at CityCamp NYC!
We can’t wait to meet you!
Volunteer Details
Application Link: https://betanyc.forms.fm/citycamp-nyc-2026-volunteer-application/forms/10146
Application Deadline: We’re accepting volunteers on a rolling basis. Please complete your application by Monday, August 24, at 11:59 PM.
Application Details: Applicants will be notified by Friday, September 4, 2026. Please note that applying does not guarantee admission to the event. If not selected, you’ll be offered an opportunity to purchase a ticket at a discounted rate.
Pre-event Orientation & Onboarding: Volunteers should plan to attend one (1) of two (2) pre-event volunteer calls on Zoom to onboard and orient everyone.
- Friday, September 11 at 9:30 AM
- Monday, September 14 at 5:30 PM
Where: All activities will take place at the unconference venue: Hunter College, Manhattan.
Who should apply
We’re looking for friendly, curious, and community-minded people who enjoy collaborating, taking initiative, and helping others. Whether you’re passionate about civic tech, local government, or just want to meet new people while supporting a meaningful event, you’re welcome here. Bring your skills and come ready to learn!
When do we need volunteers?
We need support on:
- Friday, September 18: set-up and prep day
- Saturday, September 19: the main event!
Most volunteer shifts are approximately four (4) hours. You’ll still have time to participate in sessions and enjoy the event.
What’s in it for volunteers?
- Complimentary breakfast, lunch, snacks, and refreshments
- Access to unconference sessions outside of your shift
- On-site childcare (first-come, first-served; registration required. Vaccinated children from infants to age 12 accepted)
- Meaningful connections, new skills, and a fun, collaborative environment!
Volunteer Roles
Session Scribe
You are responsible for supporting unconference breakout sessions, including kickoff and notetaking. We’re looking for people who are sociable and supportive, punctual (able to keep sessions running on time, even if it means interjecting yourself), and comfortable with Google Docs and notetaking. This role requires minimal physical activity. Scribes should ideally bring a laptop to support notetaking.
Board Builder
Volunteers staffed at The Board will oversee its setup and handle the session pitches that come in. As attendees vote on sessions they want to attend with sticker dots, The Board volunteers arrange session pitches to build out the day’s schedule. A dedicated volunteer will transcribe the sessions from The Board into the Virtual Board, while another sends emails to those whose sessions are selected.
Registration
You are the first point of contact at CityCamp! You are responsible for welcoming and checking in guests at the registration tables. If you’re hospitable, a team player, and detail-oriented, we want you! You should be comfortable sitting at a table for the duration of your shift and using an iPad or tablet to check in guests (we’ll show you how!).
Info Desk & Merch
You are responsible for answering questions from conference attendees at our Information Desk and selling swag. If you are a courteous and professional communicator, enjoy helping people, and are comfortable sitting at a desk for the duration of a shift, this role is for you! This role requires minimal physical activity.
Space Navigator
You help attendees find their way! As a Space Navigator, you will guide guests through the venue, point people toward breakout rooms, restrooms, and food stations, and keep hallways and signage working smoothly throughout the day. If you’re friendly, quick on your feet, and enjoy being helpful in motion, this role is for you! You will be on your feet for much of your shift.
Culinary Crew
You help ensure guests are well-fed! As a volunteer on the culinary crew, you will oversee the food and beverage stations, ensuring they’re set up nicely, well-stocked, and accessible to attendees throughout the day. If you love bringing people together around food and thrive in a production environment, this role is for you!
Tech Support
You are responsible for helping ensure technology within breakout rooms runs smoothly. This is an all-day role for someone with technical knowledge and skills (experience in AV is a plus!) who likes to problem-solve and is generally unflappable.
Photographer
You are responsible for capturing conference moments! As a photographer, you will take photographs of guests, presenters, conference talks and workshops, special guests, staff, and volunteers. Ideally, you have your own camera. After the conference, you will send your photos to us in a timely manner. If event photography is your jam, you are comfortable with a camera, and know how to be boldly inconspicuous, this role is for you! It is preferred that you own a camera to capture photos.
Pinch-hitter
You are responsible for filling in where needed! Often, this entails delivering a message and being a point of contact for vendors (childcare staff, caterers, audio/visual) and speakers. If you’re professional, communicative, reliable, and comfortable making small trips around the venue, this role is for you! You will be on your feet in this role, potentially using an escalator or elevator to guide special guests to a designated room.
Captain
Captains are responsible for leading a small team of volunteers to success on their shift! Captains ensure that their team knows where to be and what to do at all times. They serve as a point of contact and are comfortable giving direction, resolving conflict, and being in a leadership role. Captains will need to spend a small amount of time preparing for their shift before the conference. This involves reviewing a run of show and checking in with BetaNYC staff to clarify any questions and understand expectations about the assignment. This is a great position (and resume builder!) for someone interested in harnessing their leadership skills.
Ready to sign up?
Apply now to be a part of CityCamp NYC 2026 as a volunteer: https://betanyc.forms.fm/citycamp-nyc-2026-volunteer-application/forms/10146
If you have questions, please reach out to us at citycamp@beta.nyc