What is it like to volunteer at the International Conference?

Each year our International Conference, and highest level competition, brings together over 2,000 champion problem solvers and supporters from around the world. And, behind the scenes, volunteers from around the world help us make attending our Future Problem Solving world finals event the experience of a lifetime.

Interested in volunteering for the 2026 International Conference? Make sure you let us know by filling out this contact form.

How do I sign up to be a volunteer?

If you’re interested in volunteering for our Future Problem Solving International Conference, you can contact your coach, your Affiliate Director, or you can send a message directly on our IC help form.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and willing to work 8-10 hours each day of the conference. A background check, facilitated by Future Problem Solving, is required for all volunteers over the age of 21.

What are the benefits of volunteering at the world finals?

While volunteers are responsible for their own transportation to and from the conference, Future Problem Solving will provide campus housing and meals, in appreciation for volunteering at least 8 hrs each day. The commitment is for the full conference, Wednesday through Sunday.

What can volunteers do at IC?

Here are just some examples of duties our Future Problem Solving volunteers perform:

• Welcome squad – Assist at our check-in location
• Opening Ceremony – Monitor the entrance and assist guests in finding their assigned affiliate section
• Flags – Assist students in preparing for the flag ceremony, and during the processional.
• Action plan presentations – Judging, monitoring or emceeing.
• Monitoring events: Community Showcase, the Memento Exchange, and other social events.
• Sessions & workshops: Assist presenters and students during sessions.
• Competition support: Proctoring or monitoring student competitions.
• Variety Show: Assisting during auditions or the performance, monitoring the entrance or assisting with the acts.
• On-site store: Sales and supervision at our shop, the Zippy Mart 
• Choir: Assisting the director and students.

If you are a parent of a student competing at this year’s world finals, please see below.

If you’re interested in evaluating student work for our competitions, email our Competition Director, Kyla.

How can parents volunteer?

If your child is competing in this year’s event and you are willing to volunteer Wednesday through Sunday, be sure you reach out to your coach, your Affiliate Director, or you can send a message directly to our Volunteer Coordinator, Frances.

A parent serving as a required chaperone cannot also be a conference volunteer.
Parent volunteers must be aware that they may or may not be assigned to the same events that their children are attending.

• Opening Ceremony – Monitor the entrance and assist guests in finding their assigned affiliate section
• Flags – Assist students in preparing for the flag ceremony, and during the processional.
• Action plan presentations – Monitoring or emceeing.
• Monitoring events: Community Showcase, the Memento Exchange, and other social events.
• Sessions & workshops: Assist presenters and students during sessions.
• Competition support: Proctoring or monitoring student competitions.
• Variety Show: Assisting during auditions or the performance, monitoring the entrance or assisting with the acts.
• On-site store: Sales and supervision at our shop, the Zippy Mart 
• Choir: Assisting the director and students.

If you have never volunteered with us before, don’t worry. Parent volunteers will be placed in events with experienced Future Problem Solving leaders.

Questions?

If you have any questions related to volunteering or evaluating for this year’s International Conferece, fill out our IC help form.