Every Citizen Can Make a Difference on the Water
The strength of the Comité Départemental de Canoë-Kayak d'Eure-et-Loir (CDCK28) rests entirely upon the generosity and commitment of civic volunteers. As an approved non-profit organization (Association Loi 1901, RNA W282000883, SIREN 328 163 688), we operate without a commercial profit motive. Our lifeblood is the human dedication of paddlers, parents, students, teachers, and retirees who care deeply about our rivers and future generations.
You do not need to be an Olympic athlete or expert whitewater kayaker to join our ranks. Whether you are comfortable paddling an open canoe, prefer assisting with water quality testing from the bank, want to help maintain life jackets, or wish to guide disabled youths during adaptive sports outings, there is an essential role waiting for you in our departmental team.
"All membership fees and dues are fully reinvested in the association's public interest missions. Our volunteers do not work for commercial profit; they work for cleaner rivers and safer children across Eure-et-Loir."
Four Core Volunteer Pathways
Depending on your interests, availability, and physical preferences, CDCK28 offers four structured volunteer engagement pathways:
The Volunteer Onboarding and Safety Assurance Process
Because we work in natural aquatic environments and closely with minors and vulnerable adults, CDCK28 maintains a structured, professional onboarding protocol designed to guarantee the safety and confidence of all participants:
- Initial Welcome & Orientation: Submit your online volunteer registration form below. Our volunteer coordinator Pierre-Yves Gautier will contact you within 48 hours for an informal discussion regarding your availability, skills, and interests.
- Safety Charter & Non-Profit Ethics Commitment: Every volunteer reviews and signs the CDCK28 Civic River Charter, which outlines environmental standards, ethical conduct, and child protection policies in accordance with French youth regulations.
- Subsidized Training & First Aid Certification: Volunteers can access fully subsidized training courses organized by the committee, including the PSC1 (First Aid Certificate), the Federal Paddle Assistant diploma (Aspirant Moniteur Fédéral), and specialized water rescue workshops.
- Comprehensive Civil Liability Insurance: From your first day on the water, all volunteer activities are fully protected under our comprehensive federation insurance policy at zero personal cost to you.
Institutional Non-Monetized Funding Disclosure
We wish to emphasize to all potential supporters that CDCK28 does not engage in commercial retail, paid tourism, or speculative fundraising. If you wish to support our mission financially rather than through direct volunteering:
- Public Subsidies and Grants: We welcome cooperation with municipal town halls, intercommunal syndicates, and public institutions seeking to sponsor school safety clinics or river restoration programs.
- Statutory Charitable Contributions: Financial gifts from individuals or philanthropic bodies are classified under French tax legislation (Articles 200 and 238 bis of the General Tax Code) as public-interest donations. Official tax receipts (Cerfa n° 11580*04) allowing a 66% tax reduction are issued promptly.
- 100% Direct Allocation: Every euro received is spent exclusively on certified life jackets, buoyant rescue throw ropes, water testing reagents, or fuel for school boat transport trailers. No administrative bonuses, marketing commissions, or commercial salaries exist.
Rights and Statutory Guarantees of CDCK28 Volunteers
Volunteering within an approved departmental sports committee carries both civic duties and statutory protections. CDCK28 ensures that every volunteer enjoys clear, recognized rights:
- The Volunteer Passport (Passeport Bénévole): We provide all active volunteers with an official record documenting accumulated hours, specific technical training courses attended, and field responsibilities handled. This portfolio is formally recognized by national institutions and universities for students seeking civic credits or adults pursuing the Validation of Acquired Experience (VAE).
- Zero Out-of-Pocket Expense Policy: While volunteers serve without remuneration, all authorized travel expenses, technical certifications, safety personal protective equipment (PPE), and official mission meals are reimbursed or provided directly by the committee under approved non-profit accounting rules.
- Democratic Voice in Committee Governance: Registered volunteers are invited to attend our Annual General Assembly, voice opinions during commission roundtables, and propose new grassroots conservation or educational initiatives.
Voices of Our Departmental Volunteers
Discover what motivates local residents to dedicate their free time to our waterways:
"Joining the river cleanup brigade on the Loir gave me a whole new perspective on my region. You spend four hours pulling out tires and plastic, but when you look back at that clear, tranquil stretch of water with waterbirds swimming peacefully, the feeling of shared civic pride is indescribable."
— Antoine V., High School Student & Youth Eco-Patroller, Châteaudun"As a retired industrial chemist, I wanted to put my scientific background to good use. CDCK28's citizen hydrology program gave me the ideal outlet: sampling water on the Eure with calibrated probes and teaching younger paddlers how to read bio-indicators. It keeps my mind sharp and helps protect our groundwater."
— Jacqueline B., Citizen Hydrology Monitor, ChartresVolunteer Application & Civic Engagement Form
Fill in your contact information and select the areas where you would like to contribute. Our coordinator will follow up promptly with upcoming field dates.