Volunteering for The Origins Game Library:
Volunteer Applications are NOW OPEN
Join Us as a Volunteer for the 2026 Origins Game Library!
Origins Game Fair will take place June 17–21, 2026, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.
Whether attendees are looking for classics, hidden gems, or the hottest new releases, the Columbus Area Boardgaming Society’s (CABS) collection of 2,200+ board games has something for everyone! But we can’t do it without an amazing team of volunteers.
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers who are ready to help us run the Origins Game Library once again! Whether you’ve been with us before or you’re joining us for the first time, we need your help to make this year’s events better then ever.
Join us for an unforgettable experience, and help make this year’s Origins Game Library the best one yet!
What Do Our Volunteers Do?
Our volunteers play a vital role in making the Game Library a success. From greeting attendees to checking out games, each role is essential in creating a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone.
✔ Library Greeter –Welcome attendees and explain the library rules.
✔ Library Checkout – Check out games and manage IDs.
✔ Library Check-in – Check in games and return IDs to attendees.
✔ Library ID Handler – Secure and organize collected IDs.
✔ Library Assistant – Help attendees find games and reshelve games.
✔ Game Prep – Prepare new games to be added to the library.
✔ Movers – Moving the library to and from CABS. Setup and breakdown of the library onsite at Origins.
Game Library Volunteer Requirements
- Must be 16 years old or older
- Work 3 shifts of 3 hours each (9 hours total).
- At least one shift must be on Friday or Saturday, starting at 2:30 PM or later.
- Consecutive shifts are allowed, but overlapping shifts are not permitted.
- Review training materials and complete a short training quiz.
- Join the BGF Discord server for team communication.
- Agree to abide by the BGF Volunteer Policy
MOVER Volunteer Benefits
🚛 Must be available for both:
- Move TO Origins: Wednesday, June 17, at 9:00 AM at CABS
- 2141 Indianola Ave Columbus OH
- Move FROM Origins: Sunday, June 21, at 2:30 PM at Columbus Convention Center
💪 Mover Requirements:
- Must be 16 years old or older
- Provide transportation between CABS and the Columbus Convention Center on both move days.
- Be able to lift up to 40lbs
- Be able to push a 500 lb wheeled cabinet up to 1/2 mile multiple times.
- Join the BGF Discord server for team communication.
- Agree to abide by the BGF Volunteer Policy
Volunteer Benefits
- Origins Full Show Game Master Badge (admission for all five days)
- Origins Game Library Volunteer T-shirt
Don’t Wait, Sign Up Today!
👉 Don’t miss your turn—click here to sign up and claim your shifts before the game is over!
Have Questions? Need Help?
We’re here for you! If you have any feedback, questions, or concerns, reach out to us at volunteers@buckeyegamefest.com
Interested in joining the library move team?
👉 Want to be a part of the heavy lifting (literally)? Click here to sign up and claim your spot on the move team today!
Join us for an unforgettable experience, and help make the 2026 Origins and BGF Game Library the best one yet!
Volunteering for Buckeye Game Fest:
Join us March 12-15, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency in Downtown Columbus, Ohio. In exchange for working at the show, you will receive a full show badge and other volunteer benefits. Our show only happens thanks to our volunteers!
Volunteer opportunities at BGF include Library, Registration, Raffle Aids, Movers, and Consignment Stores.
To learn more about the roles & requirements & benefits, click here.
Volunteer Benefits
- Full Show Volunteer Badge
- NEW All volunteer badges include War Room access!
- 5 raffle tickets (15 raffle tickets for 2026 CABS members!)
- 2 games from the attendee game giveaway (if we have one)
- 2 meals during the show (pizza dinner Friday, sub lunch Saturday)
- Access to the volunteer lounge and storage area in the show office.
Volunteer Requirements (including CABS members++)
- Work 2 shifts of 3 hours
- Watch a short training presentation and complete a quiz
- Library and Registration volunteers only
- Agree to the BGF Volunteer Policy
- Join the BGF Discord server
Want to earn extra raffle tickets? We love it when volunteers go the extra mile! As a thank-you, you’ll earn 10 bonus raffle tickets for every additional shift you work.
Consignment Store Volunteer
Our consignment store volunteers have different shift requirements and additional benefits.
Interested? Email Kristin Horvath at kristing@buckeyegamefest.com
- Must be available for both shifts
- Friday: 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
- Agree to the BGF Volunteer Policy
- Join the BGF Discord server
Additional Benefits (on top of regular volunteer benefits)
- First-choice shopping for each wave (limit 5 games per wave)
- Waived master sheet and unsold item fees
++ Previously, CABS members had different shift requirements, which added extra work for the volunteer committee. Since the committee members are volunteers themselves, already contributing many hours to make BGF happen, aligning shift requirements for everyone helps reduce administrative overhead while keeping the event fun and rewarding.
Once you sign up for shifts, our volunteer board will process your request and register you for the show. You will be notified of your scheduled shifts and badge allocation, and you can even see what shifts were approved by looking at “My Shifts” after applying.
Want to volunteer with Buckeye Game Festivals?
We are happy to have your help running some of the premier board gaming events in Central Ohio. Our volunteers help make these events some of the most well-attended and enjoyed of their kind.