http://www.sosoutreach.org/page/volunteer-1
Definitely a bit off topic...but I know those snow-capped peaks have got some people thinking about powder days.
The Snowboard Outreach Society is looking for volunteers for this year's winter program. Offices are based out of the Denver/Front Range area and Eagle/Summit counties. This will be my second year working with them as a volunteer, and I think it's a worthwhile cause for anyone willing to give a little time to change the lives of these kids. More info in the link above, but here are the basics for volunteering as a Sherpa/youth mentor.
- 5 days on the hill skiing/snowboarding with kids
- About 5 days off the hill. This includes community service projects that you organize with your group of kids (typically 3-5 kids per group) and monthly meetings. You CAN attend the meetings remotely if travel is an issue and join in via teleconference and computer chat.
- Regular phone contact (weekly) with your group of kids...basically just checking in on them throughout the season and helping them achieve self-development goals set at the beginning of the season.
- The Sherpa/mentor's goals are to support the kids' development with SOS's "core values", leadership and development training, and of course snowboarding/skiing skill training and community service.
I know this probably isn't for everyone...but even if ONE person decides to take the plunge and join up with the program, then that's about 5 more kids that get to participate in the program. They're expecting record enrollment this year, and are trying hard to not turn any kids away.
Personal take - the kids I work with are all Denver public school students in their Junior year. Last year was a blast...most of my kids started out on greens at the beginning of the season and were ripping down intermediate runs by the final day on the hill. Our service projects included serving meals at a teen shelter, and doing a cleanup and landscaping project at their school.
Side note for anyone that's gotten this far and is probably at least a little interested...they call it a "volunteer" position...but there are definite perks. I don't want to post them publicly since SOS doesn't even list them on their site...but you will definitely be compensated appropriately. Not to be blunt, but the deal is you have to really, truly want to volunteer...and do something for these kids...and not do it to just get something in return. Otherwise, I seriously doubt it will be a rewarding experience. If you're worried about the fact that you didn't plan on getting a ski pass this year, and wouldn't be able to buy one to be a volunteer and get on the hill with these kids...well, I wouldn't worry much about that...*hint wink nod etc*
If anybody has any questions, feel free to contact me via pm, or just contact SOS directly: volunteer@sosoutreach.org
Definitely a bit off topic...but I know those snow-capped peaks have got some people thinking about powder days.
The Snowboard Outreach Society is looking for volunteers for this year's winter program. Offices are based out of the Denver/Front Range area and Eagle/Summit counties. This will be my second year working with them as a volunteer, and I think it's a worthwhile cause for anyone willing to give a little time to change the lives of these kids. More info in the link above, but here are the basics for volunteering as a Sherpa/youth mentor.
- 5 days on the hill skiing/snowboarding with kids
- About 5 days off the hill. This includes community service projects that you organize with your group of kids (typically 3-5 kids per group) and monthly meetings. You CAN attend the meetings remotely if travel is an issue and join in via teleconference and computer chat.
- Regular phone contact (weekly) with your group of kids...basically just checking in on them throughout the season and helping them achieve self-development goals set at the beginning of the season.
- The Sherpa/mentor's goals are to support the kids' development with SOS's "core values", leadership and development training, and of course snowboarding/skiing skill training and community service.
I know this probably isn't for everyone...but even if ONE person decides to take the plunge and join up with the program, then that's about 5 more kids that get to participate in the program. They're expecting record enrollment this year, and are trying hard to not turn any kids away.
Personal take - the kids I work with are all Denver public school students in their Junior year. Last year was a blast...most of my kids started out on greens at the beginning of the season and were ripping down intermediate runs by the final day on the hill. Our service projects included serving meals at a teen shelter, and doing a cleanup and landscaping project at their school.
Side note for anyone that's gotten this far and is probably at least a little interested...they call it a "volunteer" position...but there are definite perks. I don't want to post them publicly since SOS doesn't even list them on their site...but you will definitely be compensated appropriately. Not to be blunt, but the deal is you have to really, truly want to volunteer...and do something for these kids...and not do it to just get something in return. Otherwise, I seriously doubt it will be a rewarding experience. If you're worried about the fact that you didn't plan on getting a ski pass this year, and wouldn't be able to buy one to be a volunteer and get on the hill with these kids...well, I wouldn't worry much about that...*hint wink nod etc*
If anybody has any questions, feel free to contact me via pm, or just contact SOS directly: volunteer@sosoutreach.org
