Night Ops runs on volunteers — roughly 60 adults per weekend. Every registered adult attending is encouraged to take a role. You will check in at the Volunteer Tent as soon as you arrive Friday evening so Station Leaders can brief you before the main event starts around 10:00 PM. Most roles are done by 3:00–4:00 AM; some run later.
Not sure what fits? Tell the Registration Team when your troop RSVPs and we will place you.
Event Organizers (1–3)
Before: secure the venue and dates, set station line-up, publish registration deadlines, coordinate with Trail Life USA / AHG for weekend approval.
During: overall command at the Command Tent — patrol starts, station timing, cut-off calls at 3:00 AM, weather and safety decisions.
Fitness for role: prior Night Ops or large-event experience; authority to make schedule calls at 2 AM.
Health & Safety Leads (2)
Licensed medical providers (EMT or higher) on staff all night. Position near Command Tent with first aid gear; treat minor injuries, decide evacuation questions, hold sick-call authority (see our sick policy in the FAQs). Also review station setups for safety before patrols arrive.
Fitness for role: current medical license; bring your own kit if you have one.
Treasurer (1)
Before: collect payments, reconcile registrations against paid rosters, pay venue and supply invoices.
After: close the books; surplus funds are directed to future events and camp improvements per our FAQ.
Fitness for role: comfortable keeping simple accounts and handling cash/checks at check-in.
Advance Team (2)
The day-of setup crew: stake station locations, lay out glow sticks and beacons, string the laser gauntlet, mark boundaries, place signage from parking to Command Tent, and test every light source after dusk. You work Friday afternoon/evening and then hand off to station crews.
Fitness for role: able to walk rough ground in the dark; a good sense of how a confused 11-year-old will read a sign.
Registration Team (6)
Before: manage the RSVP inbox, confirm availability to troops, track paperwork deadlines (member ID cards, permission slips), send the private registration link.
During: staff troop check-in Friday 5:00–9:00 PM — verify lanyards and documentation, hand out patrol packets.
Fitness for role: organized, patient with frazzled leaders arriving at 8:55 PM.
Station Leaders (8)
You own one station for the night: pick the variation from the station descriptions, gather supplies beforehand, brief your crew, run patrols through the challenge, score them consistently, and award your station ribbon at Saturday’s ceremony (~11 AM bonfire).
Fitness for role: comfortable teaching and timing youth; this is the most rewarding job on site.
Station Volunteers (32)
The hands of each station: play the casualty in first aid scenarios, man the water guns in Recon, reset lashings between patrols, keep time, record scores. Assigned to a leader who briefs you Friday night.
Fitness for role: warm clothes and a folding chair; enthusiasm mandatory, skills optional.
Scoring Team (4–6)
Collect station score sheets through the night, enter and verify totals after the 3:00 AM cut-off, resolve discrepancies with Station Leaders, and produce final standings for the morning ceremony. Expect a 2–4 hour shift after everyone else sleeps.
Fitness for role:** spreadsheets + coffee. Accuracy over speed.
Camp Masters (4–8)
Run the campground itself: campsite assignment, quiet hours after the event wraps, fire watch, porta-john checks, lost-and-found, and the Saturday-night option for troops who stay over.
Fitness for role: steady temperament; you are the adult everyone finds at midnight.
Patrol Check-In Organizers (2–4)
Operate Command Tent patrol flow: verify each patrol’s completed orders packet and route map before they are cleared to start, log station completions as patrols sign out at 3:00 AM, track which stations remain open.
Fitness for role: clipboard discipline and clear radio/phone voice.
All volunteers must be registered members of Trail Life USA or AHG (per the weekend attended) with current youth-protection training. Questions? Contact us through your troop’s RSVP form responses.