Tabling Buddy for Boo at the Zoo

This is a very fun event where you get to dress up (as elaborately or simple as you want), talk with kids and families about the Y, and hand out candy. We are looking for both morning and afternoon volunteers each day.  There is no minimum age to volunteer, however, we ask that youth under 15 have an adult present.
Dates: October 12th & October 19th  
Click here to sign-up for a volunteer spot.

Monster Bash at YMCA Camp Miller!

This Halloween themed event includes camp fires with smores, trick or treating and live music.   Volunteers are needed to help with parking and the welcome table.  Then you can stay to enjoy the Bash!  Minimum age to volunteer is 16.
Where: YMCA Camp Miller
When: Saturday October 19 with shifts available between 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Click here to sign-up for a volunteer spot.

Ursa Minor DiffeRUNce 5K 

Ursa Minor Brewing has teamed up with the YMCA for an extra spooky DiffeRUNce 5K on October 26th.  We’re looking for volunteers to serve as crossing guards at intersections so runners can get through safely. This is a Halloween themed event and volunteers are encouraged and welcome to dress up! We can take up to 15 volunteers for this event. 
Who can volunteer? Really anyone!  This is an easy event for youth groups or families to do together. Note: Youth under age 15 must have an adult present. 
When: October 26 from 9:30-11:00 a.m. 
Where: Ursa Minor (2415 W Superior Street) 
Click here to volunteer with the Ursa Minor Race!

We Need Help Moving Gymnastics Equipment for the General Election!   

The Woodland Community Center is home to both the YMCA Gymnastics Program and serves as a Polling Place during the General Election.  This means we need to move the gymnastics equipment out of the 
way to make room for the polling booths and move it all back into place once the election is over.  THIS IS A BIG JOB AND WE NEED LOTS OF HANDS.  Ages 12+ welcome (kids under age 12 welcome with adult supervision).  We’ll also do some cleaning while the equipment is moved.
When: Take down will happen on Monday November 4 at 8:00 a.m. and set-up will happen Wednesday November 6 starting at 8:00 a.m.  We’re anticipating both things will take a couple of hours to complete.  
Click here to sign-up for a volunteer spot.

Volunteer with Laundry Love Program!

Imagine how hard it is for people who are 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 15 have an adult present.
When: 2nd 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.

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 3:00-4:30 p.m. 
Where: The YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center in Hermantown
Click here to sign-up for a spot for Sept-December.

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 3rd Wednesday of the month from 9:30-10:00 a.m.
Where: YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center | Community Room
Click here to reserve a spot.
 

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.  
Locations: Our Out of School time programs happen in elementary schools in the City of 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-Friday between 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

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

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 one of our cabins. 
• 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.

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: Coaches, Pitcher & Catcher.  Minimum age to volunteer is 8 (youth ages 8-11 must have an adult present).
Program Site: Miracle League Field (located in Harrison Park in West Duluth)
Youth League: Saturdays from early June through early August.  Volunteers are needed from 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Adult League: Volunteers are needed from 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
 

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

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!” 

Administrative Volunteer

Do you love office work?  We have a gig for you!  Assist with one of the most essential departments at the Y: Development!  We’re looking for a volunteer to help with mailings, correspondence, databases and organization.  A good fit for this position would be a volunteer with a positive attitude who has great organizational skills, is welcoming and kind.
Location/Program Sites: Downtown Duluth
Commitment: Once per week for 2-3 hours
Qualifications: Ability to use Word and Microsoft Excel. Excellent typing skills and keen attention to detail and punctuation.

Assist with Rock Steady Boxing Program!

Rock Steady Boxing is a boxing program for people who have Parkinson’s disease.  The goal is to improve the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s through a non-contact, boxing based fitness curriculum.  Volunteers are needed to help with class set-up & take-down, assisting participants to and from class and during class as needed.  Minimum age to volunteer is 16.
Location/Program Sites: Downtown YMCA
Days & Times: Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:45-11:15 a.m.

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).