Pre-Approved Activities

WDMCS District Volunteer Opportunities

Summer of Learning

Four WDMCS Community Education Summer of Learning programs need volunteers to help serve as classroom helpers. These programs offer a wide range of recreational and educational activities including Summer Adventures in Learning (SAIL), Art Adventures, Science Exploration, and Sneak Peek.

Summer of Learning Volunteer Form

Summers Rock at Clive Elementary

Volunteers are needed for the Summers Rock at Clive Elementary event on Thursday, May 30 from 4:30-8:00 P.M. at Colby Park in Windsor Heights. Duties involve set-up, clean-up, serving food, and helping with a book give-away and math games. To sign up, please contact Kelly McCulley at mcculleyk@wdmcs.org

Sneak Peek Class

Students who love working with little kids should volunteer for Sneak Peek, a week long program giving pre-kindergartners opportunities to experience what it’s like to be an elementary school student. Volunteers will help with fun activities, teach basic kindergarten routines,  and help build students’ confidence before the first day of school.  Dates are July 15-19 from 8:45a-11:45a,  for Jordan Creek, Crestview and Phenix and July 22-26 from 8:45a-11:45a for Crossroads.  There is one volunteer spot per school.  To sign-up use the volunteer spot link http://vols.pt/PSn1gN

Summer Enrichment Adventures (SEA)

Volunteer classroom assistants are needed for Summer Enrichment Adventures (SEA), a summer program for gifted and motivated students.  The classes take place June 10-21 (M-F) at Western Hills Elementary School.  Two class times are offered  (9-10:30 AM; 10:30 AM-Noon), and assistants can sign up for one of these class times or 2 consecutive classes (9-noon). There are approximately 20 classes in need of a classroom assistant.  Duties will include working with students at the teacher’s direction on things such as science experiments, math problems, reading, writing, computer games and programs, and art projects.  Contact Marcia Sims WDMCS ELP, simsm@wdmcs.org or 633-5062.

Iowa Senior Olympics

The Iowa Senior Olympics will be held primarily in West Des Moines during the month of June.  With over 80 events planned, volunteers are needed in a variety of ways to ensure its success.  Some of the events include Tennis, 3 on 3 Basketball, Frisbee Throw, and Track and Field.

Calendar of Events and Volunteer Needs:

Daily: Registration, food and drink distribution.

Weekend of May 31^st volunteers are needed for Softball registration which will be held at the Raccoon River Park Softball Complex.

• June 12- participant registration and packet pick-up, 813 8^th Street.  (WDM)
• June 13- Pickle ball, Shuffleboard, and awards. (Waukee South Middle School)
• June 14- Football and Softball Throw Tennis, Table Tennis, Basketball, Frisbee Throw, Field Goal and Soccer Kicks. (WDM)
• June 15- Granny Basketball, Track and Field, Tennis and Badminton.  (WDM)
• June 16-Granny Basketball (WDM) and Swimming (Waukee YMCA)

To volunteer go to: Iowa Senior Olympics Volunteer Sign-up

For more information go to:  About the Iowa Senior Olympics

West Des Moines Girls Softball

West Des Moines Girls Softball will be hosting a tournament again this year from May 31-June 2. Volunteers are needed to help with field prep the night before the tournament starts (May 30), the Friday night of the tournament (5:30-10:00 p.m.) and all day on Saturday and Sunday. In addition there is a need for concession stand volunteers Friday night and all day Saturday and Sunday. Interested students can contact David Basler at dkbasler@yahoo.com.

Children’s Cancer Connection: Fleece Blankets

The Children’s Cancer Connection is collecting blankets to send with kids to camp. Hand-made polar fleece tie blankets for both boys and girls ages 5-18 are needed. Two hours of Silver Cord Credit can be earned by purchasing the fleece, making the blanket and turning it in to Mrs. Bonus at VSW or her office in the VHS Counseling Office. Students can make one blanket a month. Please contact Katelyn Cinnamon (kcinnamon30@gmail.com) with any questions.

Fleece Blanket Directions

Metro Area Volunteer Opportunities

Tom Karpan Relays: Valley Track

The Tom Karpan Relays for students ages 9-14, will take place May 23 at 4:45p at the Valley Track. Volunteers are needed in the following places during the meet:

1. Announcer
2. Starter
3. 2 volunteers at the front registration table (once the meet gets going these 2 can move to another position)
4. 2 volunteers at the standing long jump(1 will line up and record distance, 1 will measure each jump)
5. 2 volunteers at the softball throw(1 will line up and record distance, 1 will measure each throw)
6. 3-4 volunteers at the starting end of the track helping to set up each heat according to age and gender.
7. 3 volunteers at the finish line to record 1^st and 2^nd place times for State Hershey Track and Field Events & hand out 1^st ,2^nd and 3^rd place ribbons for all events
8. 1 volunteer to hand out participant ribbons to those not placing 1^st-3^rd .

Please contact Kevin Fitzgerald at kevin.fitzgerald@wdm.iowa.gov or 222-3453 to volunteer.

WDM Parks and Recreation – Family Fun Night Bike Event

The West Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department has an opportunity for students to earn Silver Cord hours at our Parks and Recreation Family Fun Night in Valley Junction (300 block of 5^th Street), Thursday, May 16 from 3:30p-8:30p. Volunteers will be responsible for helping at one of six different bike stations; Bike Jousting, Slow Race, Paper Boy, Circle Zig-Zag, License Plate Craft Table and Coloring Book Give-Away Table. Ten volunteers are needed. If interested please contact Allison Ullestad, at 222-3455 or Allison.ullestad@wdm.iowa.gov.

Sign Up to Volunteer

Dam to Dam Race Volunteer

It’s that time of year again! Volunteers are need for the 34^th running of the Dam to Dam – Iowa’s Distance Classic.  Shifts are available Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1.  Free t-shirts  (sign up early for correct size!) Sign up to volunteer at:  www.damtodam.com  -  Click on Volunteers and then Click on Sign Up to Volunteer, OR email Lisa at kilianlm@msn.com

US Youth Soccer Region II Championship

The 2013 US Youth Soccer Region II Championship is coming to Des Moines June 20-26! With teams and fans visiting from all over the Midwest, over 800 of DSM’s finest volunteers are needed to keep the event running smoothly at both Hidden Valley (WDM) and Cownie fields.  There are spots available for students aged 16+ and adults.  You do not need to have any soccer experience. Please sign up and help us out and watch some great soccer. Click this link to go to the invitation page on VolunteerSpot: http://vols.pt/k8o4Bi

Shepherd’s Flock Summer Volunteer Opportunities

The Shepherd’s Flock Early Learning Center is needing a few summer volunteers to help get classrooms ready for fall.  Volunteers will inventory books and toys, enter book and toy info into a computer data base, prepare bulletin boards, and help with simple office work.  There will also be a special work day for volunteers interested in helping prepare the playground.  To volunteer please contact Diane Hensley at diane@sotv-wdm.org.

Walnut Creek YMCA Preschool Princess Camp

The Walnut Creek YMCA Preschool Camp Program is looking for high school girls to dress up like princesses for our princess camp on July 25th. The camp is held from 9:00am to noon at the Walnut Creek YMCA located at 948 73rd Street in Des Moines. We have costumes for Jasmine, Cinderella, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White. Please contact Beth Hoffa at 515-318-8833 or email at ehoffa11@yahoo.com.

Summer Ongoing Opportunities

Academy of Wildlife Education

The Academy of Wildlife Education is now accepting volunteer greeters for summer or regular positions at their wildlife center at Merle Hay Mall! Work with professional Ecologists, Animal Scientists, Anthropologists, and Wildlife Educators. Meet people at the door and invite them in, take donations from customers, give guest basic information about the center, and enjoy watching programs & interacting with Wildlife Ambassadors (bobcat, lynx, alligator, wolves, foxes and more) during your shift. Opportunities to do field research and assist the scientists at our facility are also available once you become a regular volunteer. Contact us for more information at: KristieBurns@PellaWildlifeCompany.org

Kiwanis Miracle League- Angels in the Outfield

Volunteer sign-up for the spring 2013 Kiwanis Miracle League season is now underway.  Miracle League Buddies (volunteers) act as “angels in the outfield” to assigned players who have physical or mental challenges.  Volunteer duties include providing a safe experience and to be enthusiastic and encouraging during the game.  Buddies will receive training and will commit to the “Buddy Pledge”.

Video: Kiwanis Miracle League Video

Application: Miracle League Application

Volunteer Spot sign-up Volunteer Spot sign-ups, Saturdays  May 11-June 29 2013

Directions: 529 Southwest 5th Street, Des Moines, IA – Google Maps

Living History Farms

Living History Farms is now accepting applications for Summer Day Camp Junior Counselors. Junior Counselors are responsible for assisting with crafts and activities, maintaining a safe environment for the campers, and proving general support to the Camp Counselors. To be considered for a position, volunteers should enjoy working with children, be flexible, energetic and willing to have fun with the campers. For additional information check out the Living History Farms Junior Counselor webpage.

LHF Junior Counselor Information

Notice: This volunteer opportunity can offer up to 40 hours for one week of service. Please remember all Silver Cord students are limited to 8 hours of service per day. In addition, all students are required to volunteer at three different organizations per school year even if 50 hours are reached at one service site.

Questions? Please contact Mrs. Bonus bonusc@wdmcs.org

VBS Volunteers- Summer 2013:

All summer VBS camps are approved for Silver Cord credit. Please note: Students can get credit for up to 8 hours of volunteer service per day at any one site.

First Tee of Greater Des Moines

The First Tee of Greater Des Moines is a non-profit organization that supports healthy and positive youth development by introducing the inherent values of the game of golf to young people in Des Moines.  Volunteers are needed to serve as Teaching Assistants, On-course Volunteers and Site Assistants.  Students interested in volunteering for The First Tee must be willing to act as examples of honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, and self-discipline. To volunteer, please contact Jim Ballard at jim.ballard@thefirstteegreaterdesmoines.org.   The First Tee educational programs take place at Bright Grandview, Waveland and Blank Golf Courses in Des Moines.

The First Tee: General Information

The First Tee of Greater Des Moines Home Page

Downtown Farmers Market – WDM Rotary Club Booth

Rotary Club of West Des Moines is seeking volunteers to help at the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market Saturday mornings May through October. Volunteers will be working in the Rotary Booth and will be responsible for taking money, cutting oranges, running the orange juice machine and selling breakfast pizzas. There is also a need to help set-up each morning and clean up after the event. Volunteer shifts are from 6:15a-9:30a and 9:30a-12:30p. To volunteer please contact either Jim RothermichJRothermich@farmersnational.com or Chris Nelson cnelson@shive-hattery.com. Please write “Rotary-Volunteer” in the e-mail subject line.

Opportunities on Deck – Baseball League

Are you a caring high school student with years of baseball or softball experience, looking for a way to earn silver cord hours and have fun this summer with an unique experience? If so, Opportunity on Deck, a baseball league for elementary aged students in Clive, is in need of coaches to work with kids who have never been fortunate enough to play baseball, America’s favorite pastime. The league will meet every Tuesday and Wednesday from the start of June through mid-July for an hour and a half at Linnan Park in Clive, down the street from Crestview Elementary School. No previous coaching experience needed, you just need to have a good time teaching the fundamentals of baseball! To sign up or receive more information, please contact Dylan DeClerck, Valley Senior, at doubled@mycem.com.

Science Center of Iowa

The Science Center of Iowa is looking for volunteers to be on their Junior Counselor team. Junior Counselors assist and lead experiments, assist Lead Counselors  in classroom management, help monitor children, help teach children, help come up with new experiments and curriculum and go on field trips.  Junior Counselors need to commit to one full week of camp and can help full days (Monday 8am to 4pm and Tuesday through Friday 8:30am-4pm) or half days (Monday-Friday 8am to 12pm or 12pm to 4pm). Each week is a different science theme! For more information visit www.sciowa.org/camps.

Please Note: This volunteer opportunity is for students entering 10th-12th grade. Students ages 16+ are preferred, responsible 15 year old will be considered.

Application

Background Check

Contact Information

Rosemary Brandt

Service Learning Coordinator

3550 Mills Civic Parkway

West Des Moines, IA 50265

(515) 633-5012

brandtr@wdmcs.org

Cyndi Bonus

Silver Cord Coordinator

Valley High School

3650 Woodland Avenue

West Des Moines, IA 50266

(515) 633-4365

bonusc@wdmcs.org

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