1 HARRY S. TRUMAN PARKWAY ANNAPOLIS, MD COUNTY EXECUTIVE STEVE SCHUH. Rick Anthony, Director

Transcription

1 Dear Summer Youth Volunteer applicant, 1 HARRY S. TRUMAN PARKWAY ANNAPOLIS, MD COUNTY EXECUTIVE STEVE SCHUH Rick Anthony, Director Thank you for your interest in joining the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks Youth Volunteer team! Over the past 20 years, youth throughout Anne Arundel County have gained the experience and skills it takes to be a leader and an advocate as they stand out in their communities. These unique summer volunteer programs are for youth who have completed 6th grade through high school. These unique programs emphasize team work, compassion, environmental stewardship, community service, employment skills and volunteerism. Opportunities range from assisting staff in Summer Fun Centers and at Quiet Waters Day Camp to supporting the Adaptive Camp at Mayo Beach. Specific program details and qualifications are outlined in the section labeled, Program Details. Transportation is not provided for all programs and certain grade restrictions apply. There is a nominal fee for each program to offset costs of staff, shirts and special events. Please review all programs to determine which works best for you! The application process begins on January 8, Interviews will begin March 1, We encourage you to apply early. Slots will be filled as interviews are completed. Applications must be received by 4:30 May 11, Final decisions for all slots will be made by May 14, Acceptance in the program is not guaranteed. This is a highly competitive volunteer program where applications and interviews will be ranked. Those applicants who demonstrate maturity and responsibility during the process will receive invitations to volunteer. Please pay close attention to the deadlines outlined in this application packet and check your s often for updates. If accepted, you will be part of an ever growing group of youth who are making real changes throughout Anne Arundel County and beyond! Sincerely, Ryan Stewart Recreation Supervisor Jaron Lutton Youth Volunteer Coordinator

2 Program Information Volunteer Summer Serve Leadership Challenge (VSSLC) For youth completing 7 th grade (in June of 2018) through age 15, our Volunteer Summer Serve Program is designed as a leadership experience for those mature youth who are interested in working with youth with disabilities as peer mentors during the outdoor Adaptive Camp at Mayo Beach. This program consists of a maximum of 24 youth working with adult supervision to promote leadership, peer mentoring, and diversity while working with youth of all abilities. There are four - two week sessions. You must commit to at least one - two week session and may request additional sessions. There is limited bus transportation available on the camp buses from various sites throughout the County. Counselor in Training (CIT) Our traditional Counselor in Training program is for youth completing 8 th and 9 th grade (in June of 2018) through age 15. CIT s are expected to be mature self-starters who are able to volunteer with staff supervision and independently in a recreation program. CIT s will assist with activities, guiding youth ages 5-12, and providing support to staff. Quiet Waters (QW) CIT applicants completing 9 th grade (in June of 2018) through age 15 will have the opportunity to be placed at our outdoor day camp at Quiet Waters Park. There is limited bus transportation available to Quiet Waters on the camp buses from various sites throughout the County. Summer Fun Center (SFC) CIT applicants completing 8 th grade (in June of 2018) through age 15 will have an opportunity to work with youth in our community Summer Fun Centers located throughout the county. There is no transportation available for the community SFC program sites. Tentative Community Summer Fun Center locations for 2018: (Subject to change depending on school construction and availability.) Indicate, on your application, your top 2 location choices. Belvedere ES Crofton Meadows ES Crofton ES Folger McKinsey ES Four Seasons ES Downs Park Glendale ES Odenton ES Ulmstead Beach (1/2 day program) Hebron-Harmon ES Mayo ES Severna Park ES South County Recreation Center Davidsonville

3 Program Schedule Program Grade Completing Locations/Times Fees include Dates and Sessions VSSLC (Bus pick up starting at 7:45am return by 4:15pm depending on stop chosen) CIT- SFC (NO Transportation) 7 th grade 8 th grade Adaptive Day Camp at Mayo Beach Park 9am 3pm SFC/ Community Schools 7:30am 3:00pm $100 per session Bus transportation 1 shirt Field Trips $50 per session 1 shirt Field Trips Jun 25 Aug 17 4 Two week sessions S1 6/25 7/6 (no camp 7/4) S2 7/9 7/20 S3 7/23 8/3 S4 8/6 8/17 Jun 20 Aug 17 4 Two week sessions S1 6/20 7/6 (no camp 7/4) S2 7/9 7/20 S3 7/23 8/3 S4 8/6 8/17 CIT- QW (Bus pick up starting at 7:15am return by 5:15 depending on stop chosen) 9 th grade Quiet Waters Park 8:30am 4:00pm $100 per session Bus transportation 1 shirt Field Trips Jun 19 July 31 3 Two week sessions S1 6/18 6/29 S2 7/2 7/13 (no camp 7/4) S3 7/16 7/27 ****Please be aware of the session commitments for the VSSLC & CIT programs. VSSLC & CIT programs require a 2 week session commitment. One session equals two weeks. ***** (Youth over the age of 16 as of May 6 are not eligible for the CIT and VSSLC programs and are encouraged to apply for employment with the department. Visit for employment details)

4 Application Process: Applicants Responsibility 1. Complete the appropriate grade by June of 2018 for placement in the requested program. (Youth over the age of 16 as of May 8 are not eligible for the CIT and VSSLC programs and are encouraged to apply for employment with the department. Visit aacounty.org website for employment details.) 2. Complete the enclosed application and return it as soon as possible. The application process opens January 8, Interviews begin March 1, Priority for acceptance and placement will be given to early applicants. Applications must be received at our main office no later than 4:30, May 11, Final interviews and decisions for all slots will be made by May 14, This is a first come first served program with limited capacity in each program, session and location. In order to assure your acceptance and program choice please apply early. Once your application is received, you will be contacted to schedule an interview. Program selection and session weeks requested will be confirmed at your interview. 3. Include with the application a copy of your school ID to verify completion of grade for program requested. If you do not have a school ID, you may include the top half of a report card or a letter from your school counselor. 4. Obtain references. New applicants must return the two (2) enclosed reference forms. The reference forms should be completed by a teacher, neighbor, coach, etc. (family members cannot serve as a reference). Returning applicants must submit one letter of recommendation completed by a teacher, neighbor, coach, etc. Please submit your reference forms/letters with your application. 5. Write an essay of application. (2 full paragraphs) New applicants: CIT s/vsslc - Describe why you want to be a part of the program and what you hope to gain from the experience. Include any past experiences you have working with children. Returning applicants - Describe why you want to be a part of the program and what you hope to gain from the experience. Include how you have used your volunteer experience this past year and what your favorite experience was from last year. 6. Attend your interview, an orientation in May and all June program training. It is highly suggested that you do not plan on taking vacation until after your program session is complete. Not being able to attend training will disqualify you from the program. Orientation and training dates, times and locations will be given at interviews in February.

5 Important Dates & Deadlines: When? What? Who? Where? Notes January 8 Application process begins Online at aacounty.org/rec parks May 11 Application process ends No applications will be accepted after 4:30 PM May 14 Final decisions will be made on volunteers Volunteers will receive of decision Volunteers will also find out their volunteer site location May 15, 23 5:30-6:30 pm May 17 5:30-6:30 pm Orientation training Orientation Training North County Rec Center Quiet Waters All volunteers only need to select ONE orientation on May 15, 17, or 23, to attend with one parent. June 18 8:00am - 4:00pm Summer staff/volunteer training CITS Anne Arundel Community College All CITs must attend in order to volunteer for the summer June 3&10 9:00am 4:00pm Mayo Beach Day Camp Training VSSLC Mayo Beach Park All VSSLC must attend BOTH

6 Parent Responsibility: The Summer Youth Volunteer Program is designed to encourage leadership skills, teamwork and community service. It is very important that your youth is the one who is completing the application forms and acquiring the required documents for application approval. You may assist but please encourage them to complete the application on their own. You may give them suggestions about how to interview and practice with them. In your youth s interview, they will be asked if they completed the application and are truly interested in the program or if their parent is making them apply. Please help your youth understand the importance of the position they are applying for and the commitment they are making to the program. Do not send payment with application. Payment will be due if your youth is accepted into the program. Limited scholarships may be available through Recreation Deeds for Special Needs with information given at interview & orientation. The parent is responsible to have their youth at the site chosen, on time and ready to volunteer. There is no transportation provided for CIT to the Community Summer Fun Centers or the YCC to Lake Waterford. Limited transportation is available on the camp buses for CITs at Quiet Waters and Mayo Beach VSSLC. Bus transportation must be requested at orientation. Once they have been accepted into the program we ask you to support them but all communication should come from them. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. Can I choose more than one program? As long as program requirements are met, you may choose multiple volunteer programs. Successful applicants will be guaranteed one session with the potential for additional sessions depending on the site. This program serves as an introduction to the working world and provides experience working in youth recreation programs and park conservation. 2. Can I split my weeks? No. You must be able to commit to the entire session. It is very disruptive to the program if you are not there the entire time as scheduled. Summer Fun Center CITs will be required to commit to at least 6 hours a day and will set their schedule with the site director. Quiet Water CITs and the VSSLC will follow the camp day schedules. 3. Do I get Community Service for these programs? Most schools and programs accept the service hours that you will receive once you complete the requirements for the Youth Volunteer Program. You should check with your school or organization. You must return all your required timesheets and information at which time you will receive a letter of completion and a certificate of hours earned from the Department of Recreation and Parks. You may use this for community volunteer hours, as well as experience for future employment. We will complete other school or agency forms required if presented in a timely manner. Satisfactory completion of the volunteer program will qualify an interview with the Department for a possible paid position at the age of 16. (There must be an available position.)

7 4. What are the fees for? As a part of the summer youth volunteer programs you are registered as a program participant with the Department and this allows us to maintain records and support you. The fee is due upon acceptance into the program and before the youth can start their session. DO NOT send the fee with the application. You will be given payment information later. Program fees of $50 per session for the Summer Fun Centers (SFC) provide the participant program shirts as well as field trip fees and other program costs. Program fees of $100 per session for Quiet Waters Day Camp, Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) and VSSLC includes bus transportation as well as the shirt, field trip fees and other program costs. 5. Why do I have to attend training? Training is part of the program requirements. We require a mandatory orientation with a parent and guardian to discuss requirements and gather all important information needed to assure success in the programs. We require each participant in the programs attend mandatory staff training to meet the program staff and learn strategies to assure they are successful. There is required department training information that everyone who volunteers in our programs must have. Please do not schedule vacations in June. 6. Why does the youth need an ? Communication through is the most efficient way for us to relay information. The Youth Volunteer Program is designed to prepare youth for employment and for the independent responsibilities required for future endeavors. Learning good communication skills through practice is a fantastic way for youth to understand the importance of clear and prompt communication. We are expecting the youth to be the one who is contacting us and maintaining the information. If they do not have an then we would request that they are the ones responding to whichever you choose. For security reasons all s are sent via blind carbon copy (bcc). Sometimes because we use bcc your computer may want to view this as spam. We ask that you check spam and to be accepted to your inbox. We also request a parent for registration purposes and so all information will be shared. 7. Is there transportation available? Limited transportation from selected locations is available on the camp buses for CITs at Quiet Waters and VSSLC. Transportation must be requested at orientation. The bus is part of the fee for these three programs. Transportation times will vary depending on the camp and bus stop chosen. Bus information will be available at Orientation and bus routes and stops will be requested at that time. There is no transportation provided for CITs to the community Summer Fun Centers. Parents must provide transportation or give permission to walk.