Volunteering

Youth volunteers must have completed sixth grade to qualify for volunteering at the Y.

There are three different kinds of volunteers: 

• Board Members: Must be nominated. Contact your local branch for details. 
• Program Volunteers: Assist with programs based on an 8-week session or a league schedule. Examples of opportunities might be assisting with a soccer class or reading to preschool students.
• Event Volunteers: Sign up for annual events offered to benefit our Invest in Youth Campaign. There may be a need for volunteers in concessions, parking, crafts, road guards and more.

Volunteer applicants over the age of eighteen must complete Pennsylvania mandated clearances, an on-line child abuse prevention course, and on-line registration

Volunteers under 18 must complete our registration and on-line child abuse prevention course.

The YMCA does not offer free memberships to volunteers. However, there are many benefits volunteers receive such as free event t-shirts and food.

Yes, you can! Some students start as early as they can to get a head start on a large number of assigned hours. We’ve had students complete as many as 150 hours. We also have students that just need 10 hours for a certain class. In any event, the process is still the same. Please allow time for your application to be processed. Plan ahead for the hours you need!

There are certain volunteer assignments that benefit from YMCA provided training.  If the YMCA deems that training is required for a specific assignment, the training will be provided to you.

Professional appearance is essential to a favorable impression for members and staff. Some basic essentials of appropriate dress include the wearing of socks and shoes. Clothing should be neat and clean. Volunteers should avoid wearing tight or short pants, tank tops, halter-tops or any extreme in dress, accessory, fragrances or hair. Clothing with inappropriate slogans are prohibited. You must wear a volunteer shirt assigned to you by the branch volunteer coordinator. Some events assignments may require you to wear additional safety items such as parking vests. Volunteers are encouraged to dress up for fun, themed events.