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by Steve Volman

Many people have a passion for working with young folks and they have a desire to pass on the things that they have learned. This is a natural human phenomenon and it is something that adds a lot of value to society. For some people, this strong desire to perform youth work leads them into their profession, whether it is something like coaching or perhaps teaching. Other people go into different careers, but they also have a passion for working with youth. So how do these people get involved with young people in a way that can produce meaningful results? There are many avenues for youth work that are available to interested parties today.

Volunteering as a Tutor

Whether at a youth centre or on an individual basis, people who have the patience and the know how to do some tutoring can get involved in this way. There are lots of after school centres where kids go to complete their school work and have fun under the supervision of professionals. These places are looking for qualified people to help children and young adults with their work. You might contact these youth centres and find out if they are looking for help. Most of them will be happy to accept volunteers and this will give you a chance to work directly with young folks.

Additionally, schools will sometimes hire people to tutor children, especially if they are in areas where school staffing is short. The best way to find out about these particular youth work opportunities is to call the local centres where you live.

Working as a Coach

Some of the best youth work volunteer opportunities are in coaching. For those people who have a knack for sports and the desire to teach life lessons, this is a good place to start. Local recreation centres are always looking for people to direct teams in all different sports. If you have the time to commit to a venture like this, the rewards can be pronounced. Youth work as a coach will enable you to work on a day to day basis with young people, watching them grow in their various sports. Additionally, you will get the chance to instil ideas of hard work and team play into kids of all ages.

Even for those people who cannot dedicate the amount of time that it takes to be a head coach, there are youth work opportunities as an assistant coach. Just getting out there and helping kids learn the games can make you feel better and it will certainly benefit those kids a great deal. Helping out in any way that you can is a big step and it’s something that is highly appreciated.

Getting Involved in Mentoring

Whether with a centre for orphans or a place where kids go for various programs, you might be able to find opportunities in mentoring. This will allow you to have a relationship with a child that is very personal. For those people who have a strong desire to just help and pas along some of their wisdom, this can be a very rewarding process. Many kids need mentors now more than ever, and they will appreciate your efforts immensely.

Steve Volman: writer, thinker, general muser and avid community volunteer. Interests include youth work, volunteer work, football and the odd spot of golf. Any feedback on my articles in more than welcome.

For more information on volunteering click here http://www.vinspired.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Volman

by Teresa Bell Kindred

Approximately two years ago a medical camp for seriously ill children was built in Scottsville, Kentucky. The facility is located on 168 acres and it’s about 45 miles from where I live. The camp is called The Center for Courageous Kids.

The mission of the camp is this: To uplift children who have life-threatening illnesses by creating experiences year round that are memorable, exciting, fun, build self-esteem, are physically safe, and medically sound.

When you take a closer look at what went into building this facility and the people behind the scenes that care for these children, you realize that a one sentence mission statement is just the tip of a very, very large iceberg of dreams.

The first thing I noticed when I drove through the gates at The Center was how beautiful the white buildings with the blue roofs were. They were even more beautiful on the inside.

The Communication Director, Stormi Murtie, met me at the door and gave me a tour of the facilities.

Because this is a medical camp for children with serious disorders and health issues there are exam and critical care rooms. There is a place for a helicopter to land, an infusion therapy room, and a hospital right down the road.

There are eight gentle, noise-proof horses for the children to pet, ride or just enjoy watching.

One of my favorite buildings was The Fun Center. There were ping pong tables, pool tables, and much, much more.

There was an indoor pool, a rock climbing wall, basketball court (with adjustable goals) an art room, beauty salon and a lake for boating and fishing and that’s not all, but because this post can not accommodate pictures of everything there is to see and do, you are just going to have to take my word for it….it is awesome!

The Center hosts Summer Camp and Family Weekends throughout the school year. Some of the illness groups served include: asthma, autism, cancer, epilepsy, diabetes, spina bifida, and many, many more. My tour was wonderful and I so appreciate Ms. Stormi for taking the time out of her day to show me around. What’s missing, of course, from these pictures are the children themselves.

After my tour I drove home lost in thought, my mind literally spinning with all the wonderful things I had seen. I couldn’t help but wonder how such a great organization could exist for two years practically on my back door step and I had never been to see it. I thought about the founder of the camp, Elizabeth Turner Campbell, and how much I admired her for dreaming the dream and then using her passion and resources to turn that dream into a reality. And finally I began asking myself, “What can I do to help?”

What follows is what I thought of on the way home, but thoughts are still pinging through my brain like bolts of lightening.

1. I can tell friends who have children with disabilities and health problems about the camp. There is no cost to the families and the whole family can attend one of the weekend camps if they so desire.

2. I can make The Center for Courgeous Kids NanaHood’s Charity of Choice. As soon as Char (my friend and web go-to girl) can I have asked her to place a permanent link from NanaHood to The Center’s web site.’

3. I can donate to The Center and ask others to do so. They have a long list of needs and suggestions for volunteering on their site.

4. I can pray for these courageous campers, for their families and for all the folks who donate their time and talents at the camp to help a sick child have a fun, safe, camp experience. Thank you Lord, for the blessing of this camp and for all those who help these precious children and their families!

Please visit the camp’s site at http://www.courageouskids.org and help me spread the word about the wonderful work these people are doing. There are families (probably near where you live) who have children who would love to spend time at this exceptional camp. I am sure there are parents who could benefit from the comraderie of other parents going through similar experiences.

Visit NanaHood.com for photos of the camp.

Reprinted with permission from NanaHood.com.