Volunteers Needed to Assist with Family Nights at the Y

Family Nights at the Y are back!  We’re looking for volunteers to help run activity stations, engage with kids & families, making sure they stay safe but also have tons of fun when they are at the Y!  Activities include things like board games, yard games in the gym, art projects and more!  Family Nights happen the 1^st Friday of every month from 3-6pm and rotate between our different branches.
Click here to sign up for a volunteer spot.

Official Spring Camp Miller Work Days

In an effort to get camp ready for the summer season, we have annual work days. Groups or individual volunteers are encouraged to spend time at camp assisting with facility and property projects.  There are never shortages of projects and maintenance needs including building, repairing, cleaning, gardening, organizing & painting.  Join us for a fun day or two down at camp!  There is no minimum age to volunteer, however, we ask that youth under 12 have adult supervision.
When: Friday & Saturday May 17-18 (volunteers can come for one or both days)
Time: Work projects are available between 9:30am-4:00pm
Where: YMCA Camp Miller, Sturgeon Lake, MN Camp Miller is located about 45 minutes south of Duluth.
Click here to sign-up for a spot.

Healthy Kids Day

On Saturday April 20, YMCAs across the country will be celebrating Healthy Kids Day, the YMCA’s national initiative to improve the health and well-being of kids & families.  Our YMCAs will be celebrating by providing activities that develop healthy and resilient kids!  Volunteers are needed to help with set-up, assisting with activities and clean-up.  Minimum age to volunteer is 15.  This year, Healthy Kids Day will be held at the Downtown Y, the Y in Hermantown and the Y in Superior. 
Date: Saturday April 20
Times:
• Downtown Y (8-11:30am)
• Superior Y (10:30am-2:00pm)
• Y at the Essentia Wellness Center in Hermantown (1:00-4:30pm)
Click here to sign-up for a volunteer slot.

Volunteers are Needed to Help Put Together Family Meal Kits and Distribute Food

Food for good!  The Duluth Y is assisting with community food distribution through Family Meal Kits.  Each meal kit includes two healthy recipes and all the ingredients needed for a family of 4 to make 2 complete meals.  We need help packing, distributing food and breaking down boxes.  We can take a max of 2 volunteers for this opportunity each week.  There isn’t a minimum age to volunteer but youth under age 12 must have an adult present. 
Meal Packing & Distribution:
When: Thursdays between 3:00-5:30pm 
Where: The YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center in Hermantown
Click here to sign-up for a spot May-August.

Reading Buddies
Learn .  Grow.  Thrive.

Volunteer to read to kids in our preschool childcare center.  Books will be available for you to read or feel free to bring one of your own! 
When: Every 3^rd Wednesday of the month from 9:30-10:00am
Where: YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center | Community Room
Click here to reserve a spot.

Volunteer at the Y Table for Trans Joy Fest

Trans Joy Fest aims to infuse love, hope and joy into the trans community. This community event will feature music, art, good food, healing practices, education, training and more.
The Y will be tabling and providing activities at the fest and volunteers are needed to help with set-up & clean-up along with engaging with the community through tabling for the Y.  This involves handing out Y information and an opportunity to engage festival attendees in simple and fun activities at the Y table.
When: Sunday June 9
Time: Shifts are available between 10am-5pm
Where: Park Point
Click here to sign-up for a volunteer spot.

Volunteer with the Laundry Love Program!

Imagine how hard it is for people experiencing homelessness, to wash clothes & bedding.  As a special project, the Duluth YMCA is partnering with the Laundry Love program to help recruit volunteers.  Laundry Love is a national organization dedicated to providing laundry services to people with no and low income.  Volunteers staff a Spirit Valley laundromat for three hours at a time, offering people the chance to wash up to two loads of laundry per week. Laundry Love volunteers provide snacks, check people in, plug quarters in the machines & visit with customers.  This opportunity is more than just providing a place to help people clean clothes, but an opportunity to build and celebrate community.  There is no minimum age to volunteer, however, we ask that youth under 12 have adult supervision.
When: 2^nd Tuesday of the Month from 8:15-11:30 a.m.
Where: Spin City Laundry | 232 N Central Ave
Click here to sign-up for a volunteer spot.

Big Red Bookshelf Donation Drive
“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” 

A great opportunity for a business or organization who isn’t able to volunteer in person but would still like to contribute!  We have Big Red Bookshelves at the Downtown Y and Hermantown.  The mission of the Big Red Bookshelf is to give the children of Duluth, access to free, age-appropriate books that will encourage a love for reading and learning.  Our Big Red Bookshelves can never have enough books.  We collect new or gently used books for kids ages infant-teen.  Book Drives can be held any time of year and are an easy way to give back while making a huge difference in a child’s life.  Interested in hosting a drive?  Contact Gina at gmiller@duluthymca.org or call 218-722-4745 x159.  

Volunteer with YMCA Day Camp

Do you love working with kids in a camp setting? Here’s your chance to take on a leadership role!  Volunteers are assigned to a group and assist the Counselors in leading and carrying out a variety of Day Camp programs. Volunteers help campers acquire feelings of high self-esteem, self-worth and competence in an outdoor setting. Previous experience in a Leader-In-Training program or working with children is desired.  Candidates will be selected through an application and interview process.  Minimum age to volunteer is 15.  
Program Sites: We have three location options: The Y in Hermantown, North Star Academy off of Rice Lake Road or Concordia Lutheran Church in Woodland
Dates & Times:

• June 17-August 23
• Camp runs Monday-Friday with shifts available from 9am-12pm or 9am-4pm.   

Commitment: Volunteers are able to volunteer once a week throughout the summer or a full week at a time (four-week maximum commitment which can be spread throughout the summer). 

Early Childhood Volunteer Opportunities

We’re looking for volunteers to assist in our Early Childhood Development Center (otherwise known as the ECDC).  The ECDC serves infants, toddlers and pre-school age children year-round.  Volunteering with the ECDC involves caring for and encouraging play with infants and young children.  Children begin their lives by playing.  From their play activities, they learn about the world around them and the skills they need to grow.  Volunteers support and extend play through conversations and guiding interactions between children.  Volunteers can also help with various activities from reading a book to a child to assisting with food during mealtimes.    Minimum age to volunteer is 16.  Must be interested in and enjoy working with children ages zero to five years.
Commitment: Minimum of 20 hours total or once a week for six weeks to create more stability for youth in program (or something close to this).
Location/Program Sites: The YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center in Hermantown
Days & Times: Volunteer shifts are available between 9am-5pm Monday through Friday

Volunteer Opportunities with our School Age Child-Care Programs

Volunteers will have the opportunity to work closely with a diverse group of students in our school-age child care program.  Volunteers serve as role models and extra support for the students and staff working on academics and engagement in program activities and clubs.  Ages of youth served: grades K-5.  Minimum age to volunteer is 16.  The school year program runs September through early June. 
Specific Programs: KEY Zone (working with youth in grades K-5 in Duluth Public Schools), Eagle’s Nest (working with youth in grades K-6 in the Edison Charter Schools) and our free Drop-In After School program at the Gary Rec Center and Harbor Highlands Community Center.
Commitment: Minimum of 20 hours total or once a week for six weeks to create more stability for youth in program (or something close to this).
Days & Times: Volunteer opportunities available Monday-Friday between 2:00pm-6:00pm

Volunteer with Youth in Outdoor Programming

Assist Y staff with outdoor programming in an after-school setting.  Some of the activities include outdoor living skills, team building, snowshoeing, etc.  Ages of youth served: grades K-5.  Minimum age to volunteer is 14.  Volunteers must be able to walk on uneven and sometimes icy trails and be comfortable outdoors. This school year program runs September through early June. 
Location: Gary Rec Center located in Gary New Duluth
Commitment: Minimum of 20 hours total or once a week for six weeks to create more stability for youth in program (or something close to this).
Days & Times: Volunteer opportunities available Monday-Thursday between 2:15pm-4:30pm

Kid’s Club Assistant

Kid’s Club is a supervised play area for kids ages four months to nine years.  Volunteers are needed to make sure kids are having fun and staying safe.  Duties can include things like reading books to kids, holding babies, helping with art projects & doing activities with young children.  A great opportunity for someone who really loves getting down on the floor and playing with kids!  This position requires individuals to be outgoing, energetic and willing to engage kids ages four months to nine years.  Minimum age to volunteer is 13 years.
Program Sites: Downtown YMCA and the YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center
Days & Times: Hours available Monday-Friday from 9am-1pm and Monday-Thursday from 4:30-6:30pm
Commitment: Minimum of once per week for 10 weeks or a total of 20 hours to create more stability for youth in the program (or something close to this).

Volunteer with the Medical Team at Camp Miller

Calling all Registered Nurses, Medical Doctors, Physician Assistants or anyone who is a Licensed Prescriber!
Camp Miller relies on medical workers to provide basic health care on-site during the summer camp season. Benefits include:
• Room and Board: As Camp medical staff, you will lodge in a private room in our Hanson Lodge. Hanson serves as our administrative lodging and includes six private rooms, shared bathrooms, a shared kitchen, and a large living room. Also housed in the Hanson Lodge is the camp's Nurse station.
• Camper Discount: For your week of service, you will be able to register two children of your choosing, at no cost.  Note: If you don't have a child to send to camp, you are welcome to send a child of your choosing to camp on your behalf.
• Access to Camp Facilities & Equipment: While serving as medical staff, all camp equipment and activities, including kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, archery, mountain bikes, trails, docks & lake swimming, are at your disposal. During off-hours, you can participate in the full summer camp experience or relax in a sky lounge chair and read!
Click here to view the full position description.

Cleaning, Organizing and Work Project Volunteer

If you like to pop in a podcast and get down to work, this is the gig for you!  You can make a big difference at the Y.  You will help our staff interact with members and provide a safe and clean facility for all.  Duties may include things like wiping dust from surfaces, folding towels and organizing storage spaces.  Minimum age to volunteer is 12.    
Location/Program Sites: Downtown YMCA or the Y at the Essentia Wellness Center
Days & Times: This opportunity has flexible hours and can be done whenever the Y is open.

Grounds Crew

If you like working outside, this is the gig for you!  Summer help includes: watering, raking, weeding, mowing, trimming, pruning and picking up garbage.  Winter help includes snow removal of course! Shoveling, plowing, etc.  Minimum age to volunteer is 18.
Location/Program Sites: The YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center in Hermantown
Days & Times: This opportunity has flexible hours and can be done whenever the Y is open.

Volunteer Service Club

We’re looking for people who want to join our Volunteer Corps!  This is for people who want to volunteer but might not want or be able to make a regular commitment to the Y.  It’s as easy as joining the service club and then we’ll call upon you when an opportunity arises and you can say “count me in” or “no thanks!” 

Greeter at the Member Service Desk

If you know what great customer service looks and feels like, this is the volunteer opportunity for you!  Greeters are responsible for providing a high level of customer service.  Responsibilities include greeting members, checking them into the Y, handing out towels and equipment.  Minimum age to volunteer is 18.  Must have some computer skills and able to provide excellent customer service.
Location/Program Sites: Downtown YMCA 
Days & Times: Volunteers are mainly needed on evenings and weekends (especially Tuesday and Thursday evenings).

Volunteers Needed for Summer Youth Baseball Program/Twin Ports Miracle League

The Miracle League is a program that provides youth ages 4-19 with disabilities, an opportunity to play baseball as a team member in an organized league.  The Miracle League believes “Every Child Deserves a Chance to Play Baseball.”  Volunteers are mainly needed to serve as buddies for kids in the program.  Buddies assist Miracle League players so it could be anything from helping them at bat, get from base to base or even just cheering them on.  Other volunteer positions include: Pitcher, Catcher & Dugout Manager.  We’re also looking for two coaches.  Minimum age to volunteer is 8 (youth ages 8-10 must have an adult present).
Program Site: Miracle League Field (located in Harrison Park in West Duluth)
Days & Times: This program runs on Saturdays during the summer.  Games begin around 9:30am and will be over around 10:30am.  Volunteers don’t need to attend every Saturday but we do ask you commit to most of the games…we know people are busy in the summer!

Swim Team Assistant Coach

Assist the Head Coach with practices and team dynamics which include:

• Guided skill progression.
• Assists in making sure practices are fun, energizing, safe and educational.
• Builds effective and authentic relationships with and between the swimmers.
• Able to give feedback on strokes to improve performance.

Volunteers must be 16 or older and have knowledge of competitive swim strokes.  We ask that volunteers commit to a specific weekday & session time during the season.  
Program Sites: Downtown YMCA and the YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center in Hermantown
Dates: October through February.
Days & Times:

• Downtown: Monday and/or Wednesday  6-6:45pm or 7-8:30pm
• Hermantown: Tuesday and/or Thursday 6-6:45pm or 7-8:30pm