1. Dedicated Adult Support
Creating a position for a dedicated staff member to mentor the teens. Commitment includes recruitment, supervision of the programs which the teens teach, ongoing feedback and evaluation of the teens, teambuilding time each week.
2. Active Teen Recruitment
Pull teens from larger pools of youth ex: academies and schools. Make contacts with sport leaders and councilors. Gain community support. Application forms. Interviews. References.
3. Strong Curriculum
Detailed lesson plans for the teens to follow when they are just starting out. Second year volunteers may be afforded more flexibility to plan their own activities under mentor’s guidance. Structure as 6-week lesson plans for 2-hour sessions.
4. Initial Training
One-week Leader-in-Training Camp provides: EFA, FMS, Teaching theory and practice, Social Skills, and Team building. Volunteers will receive fall placements for Active Afterschool and sign a commitment letter.
5. Ongoing Training and Support
Feedback immediately following each session. Group processing on Fridays. Friday night swims/team building meetings.
6. Attention to Details
Communication will be very important. With teens and their parents as well as with active afterschool parents. Attention to safety, emergency, and reporting procedures. Clear ground rules for the program and a code of conduct for volunteers.
7. Recognition and Reward
The program aims to recognize the value of volunteerism while also providing opportunities for recognition and rewards for dedication and hard work. Volunteers receive valuable training and work experience that will set them up for success in future job applications. As volunteers progress through the program they will be offered more opportunities to exercise leadership either in another program or by taking on more responsibility within their current program. The Volunteer Coordinator can provide positive reinforcement through public recognition. At the director’s discretion, opportunities for further training or employment may be offered.
8. Team Building
Part of the goal of the program is creating a positive and supportive peer network. Setting teens up to support each other and learn from each other is a key piece. This can only be achieved with a feeling of trust within the group. Team building sessions each Friday will provide a chance for group processing of the week’s experiences and a chance to participate in recreation themselves. There will be opportunities for experienced volunteers to mentor new ones.
9. Setting Teens Up for Success
The adult mentor will play the key role of gauging which volunteers are ready or not for placements and when they need an adult to step in and help them problem solve. The mentor will strive to ensure teens experience success when teaching to build confidence.
10. Feedback and Evaluation
Individual Feedback will be provided to teens immediately after their teaching session. Group feedback and discussion will occur at weekly meetings. A short, written evaluation will be provided after each block of volunteering. Volunteers will be asked to reflect on their experience as well as track their hours in their Volunteer Journal. At various points throughout their experience, the volunteers will be asked for their feedback on the volunteer program.
11. Conclusion
This program strives to create a stronger healthier community by empowering youth. This kind of program has multiple dividends not excluding our ability to offer amazing programs with well-trained and dedicated volunteers and staff.
