Volunteers
Adult Volunteers
At YES, our volunteers are more than just people interested in outdoor recreation. They are role-models who believe in challenging and supporting youth through outdoor sports and experiential education. They want to make a difference. You can make a difference, too!
Our pool of more than 250 diverse, committed and passionate volunteers, some as young as 13, coach and instruct over 1,500 Boston youth annually. We use outdoor sports and recreational opportunities to challenge youth and teach them to respect themselves, others, and the environment. We have volunteer opportunities for all skill levels of skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, rock climbing and all other YES activities.
Read below to find out more about the volunteer opportunities that YES has to offer! Applications are accepted from April 1 through May 31 for our Outdoor Adventure summer program and from August 15 through November 30 for our Operation SnowSports winter program. YES Academy applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Contact YES Volunteer Director Burton Miller for more information at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)!
OPERATION SNOWSPORTS
(Applications accepted August 15 through November 30)
Operation SnowSports is the largest program at YES where youth are inspired and challenged through skiing and snowboarding – many for the very first time! All Operation SnowSports volunteers participate in the following three commitments:
Volunteers fulfill many different roles within the program, one of which is right for you!
Ski and Snowboard Instructors: Snowsports enthusiasts interested in teaching urban youth how to ski or snowboard.
Requirements: Attend a weekend training in December or January where volunteers of all ability levels learn how to instruct and one day trip per month from December to March with a minimum 2-hour lesson to a group of 1-7 youth.
Trip Leaders: Adults (21+) with a customer service mentality and large group (45-55 people) leadership skills. Duties include bus monitoring, group orientation, supervising the pre and post-trip responsibilities at YES, checking in with ski patrol, distribution of tickets, delegating group lessons to volunteers, and overall group management.
Requirements: Training is required and provided by YES.
Emergency Vehicle Drivers: Adult drivers (21+) with spotless driving records.
Requirements: A qualified adult able to drive a 12-passenger van or an 8-passenger SUV to and from destinations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. Drivers remain on-call for emergencies and are required to act as the YES liaison in medical emergencies.
Chaperones: Adults (18+) who assist in the supervision of youth on trips.
Requirements: Monitor youth under the direction of the Trip Leader. Responsibilities will vary based on the activity. Group management experience is important.
Here is a typical winter day at YES:
5:30 A.M. Arrive at YES and check-in with trip leader.
6:30 A.M. Departure
9:00 A.M. Arrive at mountain. Unload bus and help kids with equipment.
9:45 A.M. Two-hour lesson
11:45 A.M. Lunch
1:00 P.M. Chaperone Shift rotations
3:30 P.M. Load bus
4:00 P.M. Depart mountain
6:30 P.M. Return to YES; unload and put away equipment
YES Volunteers enjoy some of the following perks:
Please check back on August 15, 2013 for our application!
Outdoor Adventure
(Applications accepted April 15 through June 7)
YES serves over 600 youth each summer through our Outdoor Adventure program. Youth are inspired and challenged through various activities such as mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking and rowing. Volunteers are needed to assist in leading groups of 10 – 30 youth.
Outdoor Adventure is weekday based and is designed to reflect the needs of the Boston community by offering out-of-school programming. Outdoor Adventure Sessions are 5-day programs beginning Monday, July 8 with the final session beginning Monday, August 19. All programs depart from and return to Youth Enrichment Services Headquarters at 412 Massachusetts Ave in Boston. Day Trips run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The program schedule is as follows:
Monday: Kayaking at Charles River Canoe & Kayak (Allston or Newton-Auburndale)
Tuesday: Mountain Biking at Wompatuck State Park or Rock Climbing (Rock Spot Dedham or MetroRock Everett)
Wednesday: Field Day and Departure for overnight to Swann Lodge (Monterey, MA)
Thursday: Hiking and outdoor programming at Swann Lodge
Friday: Outdoor programming at Swann Lodge and return to Boston by 4:00 p.m.
YES also offers Outdoor Adventure Programs for Boston-based youth-serving agencies. One-day programs are offered on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and include Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking and Kayaking.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Instructors: Outdoor Enthusiasts interested in bringing urban youth to the outdoors for adventure activities.
Requirements: Specific training from YES for activities (Rock Climbing, Kayaking and Biking) is required. Duties include facilitating orientation and activities, reporting to the Activity Captain, instructing and motivating youth in outdoor activities, and overall group management.
Availability: Weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays through 4:00 p.m. on Fridays for overnight programs to Swann Lodge.
Commitment: Minimum of five total volunteer days with YES during July & August.
Track & Field Coaches: Adults and high school students who coach youth in the YES Track & Field Program at Moakley Park in South Boston.
Requirements: High energy and willingness to coach and inspire youth in the basic fundamentals of track and field.
Availability: Mondays and Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Commitment: Minimum of one night per week during the summer Track & Field Program.
Applications can now be downloaded and completed. Please submit to Burton Miller, Volunteer Director via scan/email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), mailed to 412 Massachusetts Avenue Boston, MA, or faxed to 617-266-6168 by June 7. We look forward to working with you at YES!
Click here to download an application!
YES Academy
(Applications accepted year-round)
The YES Academy umbrellas four year-round out-of-school programs committed to developing potential leaders through experiential learning, job training, volunteerism and role modeling. Further information is available by contacting Laura Neubauer, YES Academy Program Coordinator at 617-267-5877 ext. 16 or by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Girls Outdoor Adventure Leaders (GOAL) Program Speakers: Women (18+) interested in being guest speakers or presenting workshops to middle school girls. Workshops and activities include self-esteem, healthy relationships, confidence, leadership, identity, nutrition and healthy cooking, yoga, female empowerment and outdoor trips. Volunteers are also needed for the annual Women Leaders Panel in May. GOAL workshops are after school on Fridays from September through June.
Career Exploration Speakers: Adults interested in presenting job training workshops to high school students on topics including job seeking, interview skills, resume writing, professionalism and computer applications. Professionals are also needed for the Professional Career Day Panel in March. Workshops are held after school on Tuesdays from January through April.
Job Sponsors: Adults interested in sponsoring a high-school student in a supervised summer job at the workplace for 6 weeks (25 hours per week) from July – August.
Junior Volunteer (JRV) Speakers: Adults looking to facilitate youth development workshops to YES’s teen volunteers on subjects such as effective leadership, customer service, green jobs, outdoor skills, Leave No Trace principles and personal fitness.
YES Adult Volunteer Application
YES Academy 2012-2013