Our volunteers make everything we do possible. They are background check approved, go through medical training, and our in house training! Our 2024 volunteers were phenomenal and we would love to have you join us in 2025 to make a difference in the lives of local children and our community!
North Country Adventure Team Volunteer Information
We take youth development and leading outdoor youth adventure seriously. Any volunteers, on the bike or off, who will interact with youth for the Adventure Team will:
-Pass a background check.
-Complete a training session on future dates yet to be determined. The amount of on the bike volunteers who attend the training days before our registration opens will determine the number of kids that we can accommodate for the summer.
Training sessions will take roughly 3-5 hours to complete. Each training day is a morning/afternoon of learning and designed to prepare you for leading an adventure team. The training day will cover the following topics:
-Risk Management
-Operations
-Rides (how to lead them and expectations)
-First Aid, CPR, epipens, allergies, and inhalers by the Indian River Ambulance Squad
-Abuse Prevention
-Mandated Reporting an incident
We will run a tight ship and strive to set you, the potential volunteer and our North Country Adventure Team families and community up for success. Volunteering shouldn't feel like a job. When you show up to ride with the kids, everything will be ready for you. Basecamp will be consistent, organized, and predictable. Let's leave the adventure for the ride. Coaches will enjoy being part of adventure team usually more than the kids.
The North Country Adventure Team provides everything you will need to lead groups beside a bike, helmet, and personal effects. Every station will have two-way radios for each group leader and sweep and a backpack for the group leader with everything you will need to address trail-side mechanicals to scraped knees. Every station also will have a bike stand for you to check every bike and go through our bike check with each rider.
Leading by example takes extra effort, time, and attention to detail. The kids are worth it, and we want parents to feel that they are leaving their children with people who take responsibility for leading them seriously! We ask that all volunteers are 18 by their training event.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What volunteer opportunities are available?
Select one of the volunteer roles (on the bike or off the bike). On the bike volunteers will check bikes and greet kids as they show up to your station. They are with the kids during the whole time each day, teach weekly skill focuses, and provide a fun, adventurous ride experience. Off the bike volunteers check in all kids each week, help direct them to their station, support basecamp, one will take pictures/videos each week and travel if needed, help break down basecamp, and assist in case of an emergency.
What is the commitment?
We ask that you attend all of the rides unless you’re on vacation. The commitment is up to you, but we and the kids will count on you to be there every week. You will need to be at our April 20th training day, orientation day on July 2nd, and adventure team starts on July 11th-August 22nd on Thursdays from 5:50-8pm.
How experienced do I have to be?
You can be experienced or brand new. We’ll train you. We need leaders willing to show up and be role models for the kids. If you’re inexperienced but love working with kids, we’d love to have you on our team.
What kind of training is offered?
The North Country Adventure Team offers volunteers a training day on Saturday, April 20th starting at 9am. We will have another training session in late May if there are more interested volunteers after April 20th. The number of volunteers that we get before April 20th and sponsor funds raised will determine the number of kids that we can accommodate.
Is this a race program?
Adventure Teams develop youth resilience and community. We do not race. We do not keep score. We do not group by skill. There is no clock. Our staff and volunteers will meet youth and volunteers where they are. You have one mission, should you choose to accept it. Get a little better every day. It’s You vs. You.
Is there a cost?
We are working hard to keep out-of-pocket costs for volunteers low especially insurance. However, we do think that paying for your background check is a way to make sure that you take showing up consistently a priority. We have noticed in other local youth organizations that coaches who don't pay anything, don't always consistently show up. $30 is what we ask you to pay upfront. After payment, our background check company will contact you to confidently fill out your information.
We understand folks take vacations and encourage it; just let us know upfront so we can schedule accordingly. On average, the weekly time commitment is about 2.5 hours one night a week.
When getting ready to pay for your volunteer registration and/or donation, check out as a guest.
After you register, we will give your email to our background check company. They will send you instructions to privately fill in your information, We will receive the news on your pass or fail.