Get Involved with Project Adventure

To get involved in Project Adventure as a family or adult volunteer, please call or email:
Ashley at 857-218-3590 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
or Kelly at (857) 218-4319 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Download a Project Adventure flier (PDF).

What to Expect: Families | Volunteers

 

What to Expect: Families

Call or email Kelly or Ashley with your initial interest

All families must complete a Phone Screen. We will describe the project in more detail and ask a few screening questions to determine your child’s eligibility. If eligible, we will schedule an In-Person Meeting with you and your child. The purpose of this meeting is to get to know your child, and to discuss preferences for adult volunteers and activities. We will also explain the project to your child to make sure they want to do it. It will take up to one hour.

After the In-Person Meeting, we will work on finding an adult volunteer to match with your child. It may take several weeks, months, or more to find the right volunteer for your child’s needs.

1. As soon as a match has been made, we will meet at YMCA for your Match Meeting. This is when you and your child will meet their coach (the adult volunteer). In addition to your family and the coach, a member of the research team (Ashley or Kelly) will be present to facilitate the meeting. You and your family will also get a tour of the YMCA.
2. At the Second Visit to the YMCA, you, your child, a team member and a Physical Therapist (PT) will be present. The PT is there to help develop a program for your child. This will be based on their abilities, what they want to do and what is offered at the YMCA. We will also measure your child’s height and weight.
3. The Weekly Activity Sessions will continue at the YMCA, once a week for 2 hours for the next 6 months. A team member will check in periodically to track progress.

 

What to Expect: Adult Volunteers

1. Potential adult volunteers will call or email Ashley or Kelly with interest
2. All adult volunteers must complete a Phone Screen. We will describe the project in more detail, and thoroughly explain the time commitment. If interested, we will mail or email an application, and schedule an interview.
3. All interested and eligible volunteers must have In-Person Interview. During the interview we will discuss your interests, experiences, and expectations. We will also complete various forms (including a Project consent form), and give consent for a background check. It will last 45 minutes to 1 hour.
4. Once you have completed your In-Person Meeting, you are eligible to attend an In-Person Training. This training is mandatory and must be completed before you are matched with a child. Trainings are scheduled approximately once a month.
5. Other requirements for participation include:
   • Completing an online training program
   • Successful completion of CPR/First Aid class (we reimburse the cost)
   • Proof of negative TB test
   • Positive Reference Checks
6. Once you have completed all aspects of your training, we begin the matching process. This process may take a few weeks, months, or longer. We want to make sure that matches are as successful as possible.
7. As soon as a match is made, we will meet at the YMCA for your Match Meeting. This is when you will meet your child and his/her family for the first time. In addition to you and the family, a member of the research team (Ashley or Kelly) will be present to facilitate the meeting. You will also get a tour of the YMCA.
8. At the Second Visit to the YMCA, you, the child and his/her family, a team member and a Physical Therapist (PT) will be present. The PT is there to help develop a program for the child. This will be based on their abilities, what they want to do and what is offered at the YMCA.
9. The Weekly Activity Sessions will continue at the YMCA, once a week for 2 hours for the next 6 months. A team member will check in periodically to track progress.

As weekly sessions go on, you are expected to meet your match about 2 hours a week. The parent will be able to be as close as they want. They can be in the room with you, or go elsewhere in the YMCA. They are required to be on the premises or designate another adult to be there at all times. You are required to complete an activity log on a weekly basis. You are also required to collect the family activity log from the parents on a weekly basis. Both logs are entered by you online on a weekly basis. You will also have regular check-ins with a member of the Research Team. You are encouraged to contact a member of the research team at anytime for challenges, concerns or advice.