Athlete Special Guests

Gold Medalist, Bode Miller
Joe Discoe
Hailey Duke
Julia Ford, YES Gala Honorary Committee Member
Colby Granstrom
Anna Marno
Keith Moffatt
KC Oakley
Brennan Rubie
Bryan Zemba
A special thank you to the T2 Foundation athletes who joined YES for our All-Access Athlete Hour!

2013 Black Diamond YES Gala Sponsors

Mountain Movers
Putnam Investments
Target Logistics

Hope Lifters
Alta Communications
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Code Red
Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Delphi Midstream Partners
EHS Partners
Phill & Liz Gross
Killington Mountain School
Leerink Swann
Andy & Linda McLane
Geoff & Genny Soper
T2 Foundation
Turtle Ridge Foundation
USSA
Waterville Valley Black & Blue Trail Smashers (WVBBTS)
Year Up

Trail Blazers
Devonshire IT
Eaton Vance
FBR Capital Markets
Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Greenberg
Interstate Batteries of Greater Boston
Lazard Capital Markets
Peabody Office Furniture

Path Finders
Brian Arcara
Jon & Selina Auerbach
BlackRock
Reed Chisholm
Chubb Group of Insurance Companies
Dolan & Maloney Insurance
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
Hemenway & Barnes, LLP
Howland Capital
Mt. Washington Bank , A Division of East Boston Savings Bank
Shaun & Matt Pieniazek
Stop and Shop New England Division
John & Emily Weintraub

Achievers
Beacon Communities
Richard Bivins
CCS Fundraising
Fred and Denise Coriell
Danversport Yacht Club
Gerald & Rebecca Moore
Strategy Matters, LLC
Bryan & Susan Van Dorpe
Mary Williams

Press Releases

Press Releases

April 3, 2013: 3rd Annual Black Diamond Gala Announcement

February 25, 2013: Julia Ford, US Ski Team Member, Attends Sisters on the Slopes with YES

February 19, 2013: New Local Mountain Partners Will Serve 120 YES Youth in 2013

January 22, 2013: YES Participates in Diversity Day at Pats Peak

November 13, 2012: YES Awards Abel Harris Scholarship to South End Native

October 3, 2012: YES Hosts Operation SnowSports Information Sessions for Public

September 1, 2012: Youth Enrichment Services (YES) Hosts Boat Cruise Fundraiser

July 26, 2012: Boston R.O.C.K.S!!! Awards Grant to Summer Youth Track Program

July 3, 2012: Cambridge Community Foundation Grant Announcement

June 26, 2012: Richard Williams Memorial Scholarship Awarded to Three Graduating Seniors

Interested in press releases from earlier than June 2012? Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Annual Reports

Annual Reports

The 2012 Annual Report is available in PDF format.
The 2012 Financial Statements are available to read or print.

The 2011 Annual Report is available in PDF format.
The 2011 Financial Statements are available to read or print.
The FY 2011 IRS Form 990 is available to read or print.

The 2010 Annual Report is available in PDF format.
The 2010 Financial Statements are available to read or print.
The FY 2010 IRS Form 990 are available to read or print.

YES Winter Newsletter (Dec 2011)

YES Winter Newsletter (Dec 2011)

Employment

Employment Opportunities

YES is currently seeking a Volunteer Director to begin work on August 26. Click here to learn more about the job posting. Applications are due July 12.

If you would like to learn more about volunteering with us, please click here.

YES Fall Brief (Nov 2011)

YES Fall Brief (Nov 2011)

Special Gifts

A gift of stock provides increased value to YES  at a decreased cost to the donor.  The benefits include the following:

To donate stock to YES, please contact your firm for its Transfer of Account form. YES’s Account at Charles Schwab is #6448-7667. Schwab’s DTC # 0164. Please enter this information in the appropriate field on your form. If you have any additional questions, please contact Bryan Van Dorpe at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

YES Kids and Families

YES has a long rich history of getting kids (ages 7-18) outdoors and helping them find out about themselves and their abilities to overcome challenges. Boosting a kid’s confidence and expanding their horizons is the YES way.

From December to March, YES operates trips every Saturday and Sunday. Other trips — mid-week, school vacation, and overnight — are available by special request during the winter months.

From April to October and especially during the summer school vacation months, YES runs day trips, night trips especially for teens, week long programs, and weekend trips that can consist of overnight camping, mountain biking, kayaking, and hiking. All weekend overnight trips take place at Swann Lodge, a YES facility in Monterey, MA. Volunteer activity guides, canoes, sleeping bags, and meals are provided by YES.

To learn more about summer or winter day trips or participating on overnight trips, contact YES Program Coordinators at 617-267-5877, ext 14, or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

We look forward to hearing from you soon and thank you for considering YES for your child.

Scholarships

Richard Williams Memorial Scholarship

Embracing academics and community service

The Richard Williams “Believe and Achieve” Memorial Scholarship is an annual award presented to two graduating high school seniors or GED recipient. The scholarship rewards students who demonstrate leadership skills and academic promise as well as aspire to higher education and community service. The vision is to recognize students who want to challenge and inspire, as YES founder Richard Williams did.  The program offers two scholarships ($5,000 and $2,500) per year for four years.

ELIGIBILITY

• Enrolled in a public or private high school.
• Age 17-19 and a US citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Consistent and active participation in the Youth Enrichment Services program.
• Excellence in community service and willingness to serve. 
• Evidence of academic effort.
• Spirit of caring, belief in self and others. 
• Has specific financial need.

HOW TO APPLY

• Complete an application for the Richard Williams "Believe and Achieve" Memorial Scholarship (link application here).
• A cover letter addressed to the Scholarship Committee describing desire for this scholarship. 
• A two-age, double-spaced personal essay telling the Scholarship Committee who you are and why you are passionate about community service.  Please tell us something unique, special, or important about the person you are.
• Two letters of recommendation from school counselor, principal or teacher on official letterhead.
• An official high school transcript.
• A resume, which includes honors, awards, extracurricular activities, community service, and employment.

All applications must be postmarked by April 15, 2011.  Late, incomplete, or faxed applications will not be accepted. The cover letter, personal essay, letters of recommendation, transcript, and resume must be sent to:

YES Academy Director
Youth Enrichment Services
412 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, MA  02118

Announcement of the recipient of the Richard Williams “Believe and Achieve” Scholarship will be made after June 1.

More information about Richard Williams can be found here: (link info and instructions doc here)

Junior Volunteer

Here’s how we prepare YES for the future!
Volunteers are the lifeblood of YES, and the Junior Volunteer program embraces ski slopes as the training ground where YES kids can carry on this all-important tradition.  The JRV program trains YES kids to be downhill ski and snowboard instructors.  As instructors, they teach others how to enjoy the slopes safely and also act as positive role models to peers during training clinics, working in the rental shop, and as instructors on trips. During the 2009-10 winter season, 65 youth were trained as JRVs.
JRVs go through a multi-leveled tier system called the JRV Ladder whereby youth are rewarded based on achievements.  JRVs are required to dedicate a minimum of one day/month of slope time, a weekly 3-hour shift either in the rental shop or involved in community service or on-site training, and an instructional training weekend trip.
More information about our JRV program can be found in our Volunteer section (link to Volunteer page under Get Involved)

Partners

2010-2011 Partners

YES relies heavily on the support of many partner agencies to successfully provide services to the youth and families of the Boston area. Please find many of YES’s partners listed below. Note that this list is always growing and YES updates it as often as possible. YES thanks all of our partners for their ongoing support and generosity!

People

History

HISTORY

1968 YES began with a simple premise: Give Youth a Chance. Take city kids off
the street corner and let them ski down a mountain. Let them feel the wind and sun in their faces, and maybe for the first time, the pride of achievement. It’s a whole different world out there. This can create a whole different kid. That is what happened to Richard Williams growing up in New York City.

Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his call to dream of possibilities, Richard took his passion to Boston and founded Operation Ski Lift. 500 kids from working poor families got that chance this first year.

1972 One-on-one attention from caring volunteers is the key for 1,000 kids who learn
to ski each year. Youth Enrichment Services is incorporated as a 501© 3 with a purpose of people helping people. Outdoor recreation is the tool. Education is the purpose.

1975 Leveraging resources from ski resorts and sporting goods stores, as well as free warehouse space from the Christian Science Church, YES expands to year-round programs. Backpacking, canoeing, bicycling and environmental education trips are held at the Cape Cod National Seashore and at Swann Lodge, donated by the state of Massachusetts.

1980 YES is rated by the United Way as a highly effective volunteer-driven organization. J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management gives high grades to the culture of caring at YES.

1986 Friends and alumni raise a half million dollars to build new headquarters for YES and expand programs. Job training for teens begins in the Macomber Rental Shop with 1,200 sets of donated skis, boots, bicycles, and camping gear.

1997 Harvard Business School evaluation finds that “YES has created a highly cost effective program which has a significant measurable positive impact on the lives of urban youth.” Snowboarding is now the most popular activity at YES.

2003 Thirty five years later, more than 100,000 kids have come thru our doors. Many youth alumni stay involved as volunteers and donors. “YES made me understand more about people,” says one participant. “Before, I put people into two categories-black and white. Now I see the difference in people comes from where they’re from and their family more than anything else. Before YES I never had been out of my neighborhood.”

2007 YES Academy established. This after school program partners with Boston middle and high schools. The Environmental Team, Girls Outdoor Adventure Leadership, Junior Volunteer Program, and Job Training are all part of a developmentally appropriate curriculum that teaches youth leadership.

2008 Lauren Marshall, a YES Alumnus, graduated from Green Mountain College with 3.54 GPA in Environmental Studies as the first recipient of the Richard Williams Memorial Scholarship.

2011 A record number of youth have signed up for Operation SnowSports. This 23% increase from 2010 means more than 8,000 activity days. “YES has put me ahead by opening me up to new things, the good things, and all the positive experiences they gave me,” says one participant.

Corporate Sponsorship

If your company has a matching gift program, your employees can increase the size of their gift through a corporate match to YES.  Invite your employees to consider designating YES as their charity of choice and maximize their support with your corporate match.  You may also encourage employee-led fundraising events by matching those proceeds.

The benefits to your company’s partnership with YES are the following:

Donate Now

YES relies on your donations to serve over 1,500 inner-city Boston kids and teens each year. We can’t do it without you! You may leave your gift unrestricted to allow YES to use it where it is most urgently needed or you may designate it to benefit a specific program.

YES will support over 1,500 inner-city kids and teens this year. Make a gift and support the next generation of YES Kids! Thank you for your support.

Donate Goods

YES accepts a very limited amount of prearranged equipment and winter clothing donations.

YES Currently is Accepting Donations of: (New or lightly used)

YES Currently Does Not Need:

View the detailed YES Needs Assessment Here!

Raffle prizes and auction items are graciously accepted year-round to supplement ongoing fundraising activities. 

Please contact Laura at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to make an in-kind donation.

Events

As an attendee or sponsor of one of our events, you will benefit from an association with YES’s inspirational and unique history in the community.  Showcasing a partnership through a corporate sponsorship with us will help your company leverage its name through the ideals, values, and mission of YES.

2012-2013 Events Include:

School Partnership

YES School Partnership Program is a collaborative relationship by which students from various schools are given opportunities for experiential education using outdoor activities to compliment school curriculum, while teaching leadership skills and promoting physical fitness for youth.

The partnerships aim is to build strong relationships between both organizations, increase exposure to programming, develop and/or diversify funding sources, and create effective collaborations to better serve inner-city youth of Boston.

We currently work with public and private schools in the Boston area and create an individualized plan that fits the needs of each school. Contact Rachada Hiranyaket (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) for more information about how your school can take advantage of outdoor adventures through YES.

Outdoor Adventure

Outdoor Adventure serves youth 7-18
(See below for specific program ages and some exceptions)

Track and Field Team- Summer 2013

Information is now available for the Summer 2013 Track & Field Team for youth ages 4 through middle school: Please click here to view the flyer.

All participating youth are required to fill out a registration form and bring it with them in order to practice. Summer 2013 Track & Field Team Registration Form
Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with questions.

Outdoor Adventure- Summer 2013

About Outdoor Adventure

Outdoor Adventure Sessions: Participants join YES for a full week of programming that includes kayaking on Mondays, rock climbing or mountain biking on Tuesdays, a field day on Wednesdays, and a 2-night overnight at YES’s Swann Lodge. On Monday and Tuesday, programming will run between 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Youth will arrive Wednesday morning for field day and return to Boston Friday by 4:00 PM.

Outdoor Adventure Intensives: Participants join YES for up to a full week of programming that focuses on a specific skill or activity for the duration of the program. Running from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM daily, these intensives feature activities like fishing, rowing, rock climbing, or surfing at a variety of locations.

View the schedule for Summer 2013 and Registration Packet here!

Join the fun! Say YES!

Operation SnowSports

Ready to ski or snowboard?

Operation SnowSports serves youth ages 7-18

Operation SnowSports is YES’s flagship program that provides youth with the opportunity to ski, snowboard, and cross country ski during the winter months. Each year, YES takes more than 1,000 youth downhill skiing and snowboarding from December through April. The young people are enrolled as YES Kids or from collaborating agencies.

Through donations, fundraising events, and partnerships, YES keeps expenses to a minimum and provides programming that is affordable and accessible to everyone. In this way, YES encourages youth to not only learn and experience this new adventure and sport, but also to participate in other YES programs and develop lifelong relationships with mentors and peers.

Youth are encouraged to join at any stage in their skill development, from beginners to competitive ski racers.

All participants attend a required pre-trip clothing orientation that explains how to stay warm, dry and safe on the slopes. At the YES rental shop at YES headquarters in Boston, YES volunteers outfit participants with skis or snowboards, boots, poles, and other necessary winter equipment.

Upon arrival at the ski mountains, YES volunteer instructors provide ski lessons on the slopes.  Each trip is led by a YES Group Leader and has a 5:1 ratio of children to adults. YES takes a maximum of 65 young people for each trip. In no time at all, YES Kids are skiing, riding, and having fun.

Seasonal Pass Program

YES’s goal is to have a greater impact on youth, i.e. serve more youth, more frequently. The Seasonal Pass Program allows youth to sign up for 5 ski/snowboard trips at a minimal cost. Participating youth also are able to take their equipment home for the season allowing them to enjoy winter sports outside of YES’s programming.

Race Development Program

For more experienced skiers and riders, or those who which to accelerate their development, the YES Ski and Snowboard Team introduces downhill skiers and snowboarders to the excitement of competitive racing. The 12-week program – created in partnership with Boston Ski Party and Pat’s Peak Ski Area in Henniker, N.H. — begins in the summer and fall with “dry land” training that builds strength, agility and camaraderie for the slopes. Once the snow begins to fall, team members hit the trails. They train at Pat’s Peak Ski Area and compete in fun races at Pat’s Peak and other New England areas culminating in the Finals at the Mass Snow Challenge at Wachusett Mtn. In 2010, 50+ athletes participated in this program.

Race coaches are YES and Boston Ski Party Volunteers, many of whom have prior high school or collegiate racing experience to share with the team members, who work in conjunction with Pat’s Peak Ski School. The program continues to grow each year and YES looks forward to incorporating other ski areas in the future.

Community Agencies

YES has a long rich history of getting kids outdoors and teaching them about their abilities to overcome challenges. Boosting a kid’s confidence and expanding his or her horizons is the YES way.

From December to March, YES operates trips every Saturday and Sunday. Other trips — mid-week, school vacation, and overnight — are available by special request during the winter months.

From April to October, and especially during the summer school vacation months, agencies can sign up on designated days for our activities. Groups must provide their own transportation, appropriate clothing, lunch and water. In addition, we run special trips on request that can consist of overnight camping, mountain biking, kayaking, and hiking. All weekend overnight trips take place at Swann Lodge, a YES facility in Monterey, MA.

To participate in YES winter ski trips or summer day trips, contact Bernadette Peeples at 617-267-5877, ext 12, or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) .

If you are interested in using the YES lodges in Killington, VT, or Swann Lodge in Monterey, MA, for an overnight trip, contact Bryan Van Dorpe at 617-267-5877, ext 18, or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) .

Please review the following requirements for agency trips with YES:

1. Equipment and Guides: YES provides all outdoor equipment and volunteer guides. Groups must provide their own transportation, appropriate clothing, lunch and water.

2. Timing of Trips: Most day trips begin at YES at 9:00am and return by 4:00pm. Other times can be requested and must be agreed upon in advance. Friday – Sunday overnight trips start at 5:30pm on Friday and return by 4:00pm on Sunday. Allow 3 hours of driving time.

3. Trip payments: A non-refundable deposit of 1/3 of the trip cost must be made to reserve a date. Deposits are due within five business days after your reservation is made. If a deposit is not received after five days, your reservation will be canceled. The remainder is due, along with permission slips, 7 days before the start of the trip. Refunds are not available.

4. Agency Chaperone Requirements: YES Chaperone Permission Slip Form Agencies with participants ages 13-18 are required to provide one chaperone (18 or older) for every seven youth. Groups bringing youth ages 7-12 must provide one chaperone (18 or older) for every five youth. On all trips everyone participates safely with respect for the staff, volunteers, fellow participants and equipment. Chaperones must be with their youth at all times. NO ADDITIONAL CHAPERONES ARE PERMITTED.

5. Agency Transportation Responsibilities: During the winter, groups of 15 or more must supply an emergency vehicle to accompany YES transportation vehicles. For all Outdoor Adventure activities and trips, agencies must provide all transportation.

6. Permission Slips:YES Youth Permission Slip Form A parent or guardian must complete and sign a YES permission slip for each youth and chaperone (under 18). Original, signed copies only. No faxes or emails are accepted. Permission slips and remaining balance are due at the pre-trip/orientation and fitting. NO REFUNDS are given if an agency or parent does not show for the activity.

7. Equipment and Trip Orientations: The pre-trip fitting at YES is required for all youth and chaperones going on winter trips, including those with their own equipment. For all Outdoor Adventure day or overnight trips during the summer months, YES conducts trip orientations at your location for all participating youth. All permission slips and final payments are due at the time of orientations and only original forms are accepted – no photocopies or faxes. Winter fittings are scheduled no earlier than 5PM and no later than 8PM. Summer fittings are scheduled no earlier than 4:45 PM and no later than 7:45PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Summer orientations are conducted on Mondays between 12pm and 4pm for agencies only.

8. No Substitutes: Replacing a no-show participant with another child on the day of the trip is not permitted.

9. Cancellations: YES reserves the right to cancel trips due to inclement weather or for other safety precautions.

We look forward to hearing from you soon, and thank you for considering YES as a resource for your agency.

Yes Academy

YES Academy hosts four unique experiential educational programs throughout the year that serve youths ages 10 and up. Detailed information about each of programs can be found below. Youth must apply and be eligible for each program.

Girls Outdoor Adventure Leaders (GOAL)

Serving girls ages eleven to fourteen.

Girls Outdoor Adventure Leaders (GOAL) is a year-round program that provides pre-teen and teen girls (ages 11-14) with opportunities to develop leadership skills, explore individual sports (such as rock climbing, biking, skiing, and snowboarding), improve self-esteem, set and achieve goals, and challenge gender stereotypes. The GOAL program meets once a week during the school year and three times per week during the summer session for workshops and outdoor adventure activities. The school year is divided into monthly themes supported by guest speakers, workshops and discussions, including:

Career Exploration Program

Preparing YESkids ages fourteen and up for the workplace

The YES Career Exploration Program provides leadership and technical training for the workplace. The program is organized in three major parts: (1) 12 weeks of work readiness classes, (2) a week apprenticeship at YES, and (3) a paid summer job placement. The program, targeted to students 14 years of age and older begins in January and runs through the summer meeting weekly for two and 1/2 hours. Students are required to fulfill the first two parts of the program to be eligible for a part-time paid summer job. YES has placed students at companies such as Dana Farber Cancer Institute, the National Park Service, ZEVIN Asset Management, and Boston Public Schools.

Topics covered in Career Exploration workshops include:

Junior Volunteer

Junior volunteers must be between the ages of thirteen and eighteen.

The YES Junior Volunteers are inspired and challenged through one of the most high-impact and sought-after youth development programs in all of Boston! Many JRVs are veterans of the YES Operation SnowSports or Outdoor Adventure programs and are ready to give back through working in the rental shop, learning how to be ski and snowboard instructors, and by participating in dynamic after-school youth development workshops. As instructors, JRVs teach other youth how to safely enjoy the outdoors while acting as positive role models. YES has over 65 JRVs!

JRVs work through a tiered youth development model, the JRV Ladder, to track personal growth and development using the same designations that mark the ski and snowboard trails. YES tracks each JRV’s progress in school, community service, on-site trainings and civic engagement, as well as other development areas. Youth work through the following levels:

The application for the 2013 Richard Williams Memorial Scholarship is NOW AVAILABLE!
Click here for the Application and Instructions.

Youth & Parents

Click to download the Youth Permission Slip

Click to download the Chaperone Permission Slip

We like to take this opportunity and thank you for expressing interest in participating in YES winter or summer programs. As you are aware, YES has a long rich history for getting kids out and helping them figure out what they are made of. Boosting a kid’s confidence and expanding their horizons is the YES way. If you are interested in getting your youth involved in our activities, please follow the following steps:

1. Contact Will Morales 617-267-5877 ext 12, or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) ., for ski trips in the winter or day trips in the summer.

2. Contact Michael Arkin at 617-267-5877 ext 24, or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) if you are interested in using our two lodges located in Killington, Vermont or Swann Lodge in Monterrey, MA for an overnight trip in the winter or summer, or parents to learn about overnight opportunities for your children.

3. We run trips every Saturday and Sunday from December through March. Mid-week trips, school vacation trips, and overnights are available by special request during the winter months. We run special trips on request between April-June and September – October which can consist of overnight camping, mountain biking, kayaking, and hiking. During the summer months, agencies/ individual parents can sign up on designated days for our activities.

4. Your child will be placed in the care of a YES staff member for any YES-sponsored activity.

5. YES provides transportation for your children through YES vehicles, charter bus, or public transportation.

6. A parent or guardian must complete and sign a YES permission slip for each youth. No faxes or emails are accepted. Permission slips and remaining balance are due at the pre-trip/orientation and fitting. NO REFUNDS are given if an agency or parent does not show for the activity.

7. The pre-trip fitting at YES is required for all youth and chaperones going on a winter trip including those with their own equipment. Parents signing children up will be asked to have their child participate in a winter/summer orientation which will be scheduled at our office. All permission slips and final payments are due at the time of orientations. Fittings are scheduled no earlier than 4:45 PM and no later than 7:45PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during the summer months.

8. Substituting a no-show with another child on the day of the trip is not permitted. YES reserves the right to cancel trips due to inclement weather or for other safety precautions.

We look forward to hearing from you soon and thank you for considering YES as a resource for your agency and your child.
Happy Trails

Youth Enrichment Services

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:

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!

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.

Ways To Give

Be supportive. Say YES!

YES gratefully accepts donations of all sizes.  You may designate your donation to benefit a specific program or support a particular activity, or you can leave it unrestricted to allow us to use it where it is most urgently needed.  YES is a non-profit organization under the section 501 © 3 of the Internal Revenue Code, and therefore all charitable donations are deductible to the full extent allowed by law.  All donations will be acknowledged by YES.

If you would like to donate online with a credit card, please visit the link above to our secure donation page at Network for Good, a non-profit that processes online donations for us.

There are many ways you can help. When you’re ready to give, we hope you’ll say YES!

YES directs two annual appeals (November and May) each year that provides individuals with the opportunity for a regular annual donation at the end of the calendar or fiscal year.

Get Involved

Join Us!

People come to YES in a variety of ways. Youth sign up to go on trips individually or through our partner agencies such as YMCA’s, Boys and Girls Clubs, churches, settlement houses, community centers, and local high schools. YES volunteers are community members who are passionate about giving back to their community and see YES as a great opportunity to work with Boston youth. YES offers unique opportunities for positive risk-taking and practical experiential learning help to lower the student attrition rate among urban youth, while providing strong mentorship relationships with adult and junior volunteers.

YES values:

Want to get involved? There are plenty of options here at YES:

Programs

"There's a kid on the street with all the answers. Maybe you've seen him. He lives in a project out in Dorchester. Or over a grocery store in Hyde Park. Maybe he lives with his grandmother in Arlington. It doesn't matter. He's angry. And he's confused. He's had the answers for a long time. Answers from parents. Teachers. Youth Workers. But until now, no one ever bothered to show him the questions." - Anonymous

Our Programs serve youth ages 7-18

YES programs offer year-round, progressive opportunities for participation, apprenticeship and leadership under the close supervision of 150 intensely involved adult volunteers and professional staff.   Youth who join YES in order to participate in outdoor adventure programs in the winter or summer often stay with us to pursue more in-depth opportunities like ski team training, volunteering as junior instructors, girls’ leadership, environmental awareness, and job training.

Each program represents the vision of YES:

For youth to have access to affordable, in-depth programs that challenge them through outdoor sports and experiential education.

For youth to build strong relationships with positive role models and take advantage of apprenticeship opportunities to build technical and leadership skills.

For youth to have a safe place to engage in positive activities and quality experiences that foster character development and physical fitness.

Privacy Policy

Youth Enrichment Services Privacy Policy

Youth Enrichment Services (YES), a 501(3)(c) non-profit agency has established this Statement to explain how we gather and use information related to the yeskids.org website.

Youth Enrichment Services reserves the right to modify this Statement. Please review this Statement from time to time.

Youth Enrichment Services will not gather private personal information when you visit the website, unless you choose to voluntarily provide such information. Except as required by law, YES does not share any information received with third parties.

Youth Enrichment Services may obtain general information regarding the use of the website, such as number of visitors, date and time, IP address, and areas of the website visited. This data will be used in aggregate to measure the number of visitors to the different sections of our site, and to help our site more useful to visitors.

Website Content

The website and its design, pictures, and content may be copyrighted by Youth Enrichment Services. Original content, design and photography cannot be used, borrowed, copied, excerpted or reproduced without the express written consent of Youth Enrichment Services.

All information contained in this website is for informational purposes only and is provided without warranties, whether expressed or implied, including any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

Youth Enrichment Services disclaims any liability in connection with the information provided herein or with your use of this website. In no event shall Youth Enrichment Services be liable for special, incidental, indirect, or consequential damages, including without limitation, even if Youth Enrichment Services has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Youth Enrichment Services’ website may contain links to third-party sites (Facebook, Network for Good, etc). Youth Enrichment Services is not responsible for the content or practices (including privacy policies) of third-party sites. Our site may also contain links, logos and references to third-party companies and services. These references are not meant to be an recommendations or endorsement.

Information Requests

If you request that Youth Enrichment Services provide you with materials or to add you to their contact list, we may ask you to provide certain information (such as your name, email address, phone number and address). We will use this information to provide you with the material you have requested and for our own internal purposes. We may also occasionally send other communications from Youth Enrichment Services, but YES will never share information collected with third parties.

Non-discrimination policy

Youth Enrichment Services does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion or physical disability.

Opt Out or Change your Contact Information

Users have the opportunity to opt-out of receiving communications at any time. To opt-out or to change your contact information, please contact refer to the “Contact Information” below.

Contact Information

If you would like to opt-out of receiving communications or have any questions about this privacy statement or the practices of this site, contact Youth Enrichment Services at: Email Address: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Mailing Address: 412 Massachusetts Avenue Boston, MA 02118 Phone: (617) 267-5877 Fax: (617) 266-6168

About Us

Our Organization

Youth Enrichment Services (YES) is a unique and well-established youth development organization that introduces Boston kids and teens to the great outdoors through skiing, snowboarding, biking, hiking, rock climbing, and other sports. Our Operation SnowSports and Outdoor Adventure programs instill positive values, help kids develop a healthy lifestyle, and teach teamwork. YES also runs the YES Academy which provides year-round opportunities for youth to learn the critical skills needed to be successful in college, work, and life. YES has been providing youth development, leadership, and enrichment programs for the past 44 years and has served over 100,000 Boston kids!

YES serves 1,500 young people between the ages of 7 and 18, of which 78 percent live in Boston. YES targets young people with limited access to outdoor activities and sports, namely at-risk youth living in low-income households. Last year, 45 percent of YES participants were girls. Eighty-five percent were Asian, Black, Hispanic, or mixed ethnicity.

YES’s mission is to inspire and challenge youth with physical and mental activities that foster life-long respect for self, others, and the environment.

Through outdoor and environmental experiences, YES kids:

1. Build confidence

2. Develop motor skills and physical fitness
3. Learn responsibility and accountability 

4. Learn to treat others, including mentors, coaches, and officials, with respect
5. Interact with diverse cultures
6. Develop a healthy life style that includes exercise

7. Learn respect for the environment

Check out the YES Youtube video below:

As an organization of committed staff, volunteers, community members and corporate partners, YES believes in:

• Challenging and supporting youth through outdoor sports and experiential education
• Sharing the love and enjoyment of the outdoors
• Fostering stewardship of the natural environment
• Sustaining a diverse organization and promoting diversity in the community
• The power of mentoring

Contact Information

The YES Boston Office is open Monday-Friday (9AM – 5PM). Staff can be reached by phone, fax, mail, or email.

Youth Enrichment Services

Founded in 1968, Youth Enrichment Services (YES) provides sports-based youth development, leadership, and enrichment programs to Boston youth, ages 7 to 18.

Upcoming Events

• June 25, 2013: 6-9pm

  2nd Annual Boston Harbor Cruise to Benefit YES - The Provincetown II, Boston Seaport

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