Volunteer FAQs
At the moment we are busy with all the preparations for 2026, hopefully you are just as excited as we are. Of course, it could be that you have a question about the application process, a role, boat tickets, accommodation, working hours, etc. Our inbox is of course always open to you, but to prevent it from overflowing, it is nice to first check whether there is already an answer to your question below. If you still can't figure it out, then we think it's absolutely fine if you still slip into our mailbox.
Note: the email address info@intothegreatwideopen.nl is a general email address. If you want to know something about volunteering, send your email to vrijwilligers@intothegreatwideopen.nl
Sign in
When do registrations open?
Volunteer registrations for ITGWO 2026 will open at the end of May. So keep an eye on the website. Have you indicated that you want to stay informed about this? Then you will receive an email when registrations open. It may be that our email ends up in spam, so check that regularly too.
How can I increase my chances of getting a spot on the volunteer team?
There isn’t really a way to increase your chances of getting a spot on the volunteer team. It is possible that registrations will go quickly and the form will be closed. So be quick!
What roles are there?
You can read more about the different functions and what they entail here.
How do I sign up?
You sign up via the link on the website. Did you also participate last year, or did you sign up for the mailing list? Then you will receive a link by email.
To register, follow the steps below:
Via the link on the site or in your email, you will arrive at a staff portal
Do you already have an account? Then log in with your details and continue to step 11.
Don't have an account yet? Enter your first name, last name and email address.
You will receive an email allowing you to set a password. Please note: it may take a little while before it arrives. Also check your spam inbox.
In the email, click “sign up for Into The Great Wide Open 2026”.
Here, enter a password twice and click “confirm”.
Log in with your email address and password.
Click finish to complete your account.
Complete your details. Please note that your phone number must be entered in international format. So +316….
On the next page, fill in the requested details completely once again.
Once this is finished, you will enter the staff portal, where Into The Great Wide Open is listed under the heading ‘available’.
Here, click ‘sign up’. NOTE: if you click reject, the invitation will disappear from your portal.
You will then arrive at the ITGWO staff page and need to complete your registration.
Do this by clicking the ‘finish’ button and answering all questions carefully again.
Once you have filled in all the questions, click save and continue. If you close the page before you do this, the answers you provided will be lost.
On the next page, fill in all the questions again and once more click save and continue.
Your availability will be asked twice. Make sure it matches the roles you would like to do and that the checkmarks in the calendar correspond to that. If these do not match, it may affect your registration.
To complete your registration, click submit. You will then see in the portal that the registration steps have been completed. Don't see this? Then check once more whether you have answered all questions.
Help, I’m not getting any emails from you!
Annoying! Have you checked your spam folder carefully? If you can't find anything, send us an email, and we'll look together to see where things are going wrong.
I'm too late to sign up, what now?
It may be that registrations go very quickly and the form will be closed again soon. So be quick. If you are too late to register, you can sign up for the waiting list via the form on the website.
Selection and info
I am on the waiting list. When will I hear whether I can help out this year?
If spots become available, or if someone drops out, we look at the waiting list. This can happen quickly, but sometimes only shortly before the festival. So we can't say for sure when exactly you'll hear whether you can still help out.
What are the chances that I will get off the waiting list?
It's hard to say, because it depends on cancellations. So we can't promise anything, but keep a close eye on your mailbox! Of course, it helps if you are flexible in terms of availability and job preference.
Where can I find my role?
You will find out on 5 August during the volunteer meeting. You will also receive an extensive briefing about your role then. Can’t make it? No worries, we’ll send it by email as well and there will be another briefing moment on Vlieland.
Boat & Arrival
Will you arrange my boat ticket?
Yes, we book the ferry tickets, so that everyone arrives on Vlieland at the right time. You pay €35 for this ferry ticket upon arrival on Vlieland as soon as you register at the accreditation desk. Everyone working during the show takes the 17:05 ferry on Wednesday 26 August.
I already have a boat ticket, what now?
Based on your role, we have reserved boat tickets for you at a specific time. If you have already booked a ticket yourself, please let us know as soon as possible by email. Please make sure you are on time for the briefing and your first shift on the island. If we do not hear from you, we will simply reserve the ticket for you and you will still have to pay for it.
I want to take the boat at a different time, is that okay?
In mid-August you will receive your boat ticket by email. This ticket is reserved for you. If, after receiving it, you still run into a problem, please send us an email.
Do I need a bike on the island?
In principle, you do not need a bike. Everything is within walking distance and your bike is not allowed onto the festival grounds. If you are staying at the Lange Paal campsite, then a bike is convenient.
May I bring my own bike?
Yes, of course. In that case, we ask you to book your own boat tickets (including your bike). Please let us know by email in this case. If we are not informed, we will assume that you are travelling on the booked boat and the amount will still have to be paid.
Can I arrive later or leave earlier?
Unfortunately not. We schedule everything tightly, so we ask you to be there for the entire period. For some roles there are exceptions, but in general availability from Wednesday 26 August through Monday 31 August is required in order to volunteer.
I am not available on Monday 31 August and have to leave on Sunday already. Is that possible?
No, we expect everyone to be available through Monday 31 August. For most people, this is the shared return travel day and it may also be that you are still scheduled for a volunteer shift on Sunday evening. If you have to leave on Sunday already, unfortunately we cannot guarantee you a place in the volunteer team.
CAMPING AND SLEEPING
Can I get a place to sleep?
Absolutely! We have a spot for you at one of the volunteer campsites. Please do bring your own tent, mat, and sleeping bag.
I want to sleep somewhere else, is that okay?
No problem! If you have arranged different accommodation yourself, that’s completely fine. Just let us know by email. Then we’ll record it correctly in the system.
Can I sleep at De Lange Paal, is that possible?
In the registration form, you indicated your sleeping preference, and we do our best to take that into account as much as possible. The spots at De Lange Paal are limited, so sometimes it happens that we have to disappoint someone. It is a somewhat quieter campsite, but it is further from the festival grounds, so it is useful to have a bicycle at your disposal.
EATING & WORKING
Will I get food every day?
On all days you work, we provide three meals and the crew catering takes you into account. On your days off, you arrange your own breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So on the days you are not scheduled, you are responsible for your own meals.
My briefing shows different catering days than I expected. How can that be?
No worries! On the island itself, you arrange this with your subco (your team coordinator). They know exactly how it works and make sure you can join the meals on the days you work.
How many hours do I have to work?
On average, each volunteer works 6 to 8 hours per day. However, this depends on your role and the intensity of the work. In any case, we ensure that everyone also has plenty of time to enjoy the island and the festival.
WORKING TOGETHER & SPECIAL REQUESTS
I want to work in a team with my friends, is that possible?
We definitely try! If, when signing up, you entered each other's names and the same preferred roles, we will do our best to place you together. Unfortunately, it remains a big puzzle and there are limited spots, so we can't promise anything 100%.
I really want to go to that one artist, is that possible?
We understand, of course, that you also come to ITGWO for the fantastic music programme! Once on the island, you can always discuss with your subco whether it is possible to swap a shift, provided the schedule allows it.
Cancellation & Contact
I can't come anymore, what now?
What a pity! Please let us know by email, then we’ll remove you from the schedule and perhaps make someone else happy.
Can I pass my spot in the team on to someone else?
No, this is not possible. We work with a waiting list to keep things as fair as possible for everyone. Cancellations cannot therefore be passed on or taken over one-to-one, even if that sometimes seems logical.
I want to call you, is that possible?
Currently, we are not available by phone. Feel free to email us! Would you like to discuss something over the phone, or is email not working? Let us know, and we can always see what is possible.