Volunteers

Play a part in memories that will last a lifetime. Get involved in our programs as a Program Volunteer. We welcome sharing of skills or crafts and folks that have an interest in helping to provide valuable programming for youth.

Developmental Travel
Travel with middle school students to Boston and Plymouth, MA for the New England Heritage Tour, or to Washington, DC, Gettysburg and Philadelphia, PA, Ellis Island, and the Amish country on the American Heritage Tour. We are always interested in meeting folks who can provide leadership to youth who are involved in these valuable developmental travel programs. You will help make learning about American History come alive by attending monthly meetings, monitoring a small group of students and traveling with the group on the tour.

Mini Camp
As a cabin leader, participate in providing a fun and nurturing environment for our youngest camper group. Camp Takodah’s Mini Camp is a weeklong residential camping experience and for many of our campers this is the first overnight experience away from home. The Mini Camp program emphasizes children getting to know who they are and how they can relate with others positively in a group setting.

Other Program Volunteer Opportunities
Or… There may be a role you would like to play in one of our other programs.

  • Teaching a class at "traditional" Camp Takodah
  • Teambuilding
  • Environmental Education
  • After School Child Care
  • Youth and Government

Service Volunteers
We are always looking for help with clerical work at the HQ office - preparing mailings, filing, data entry, or working on our Alumni Archive.

The Cheshire YMCA also has a number of committees where Policy Volunteers play an important role in the organization’s ability to follow our mission statement and serve the youth in our community.

  • Alumni--This committee celebrates Camp Takodah’s rich heritage through organizing reunions, work projects, networking and newsletters to bring Takodians together with each other and with a place that is very special.
  • Corporate Giving--This committee helps the CYMCA to maintain an association with area businesses through personal visits and letters. These businesses provide financial sponsorship that is essential to our ongoing operation of our quality programs for youth.
  • Finance-- The primary function of this committee is to assist the staff with the annual budget process for presentation to the Board of Directors
  • Horizon Fund-- The Horizon Fund is an endowment fund of the CYMCA consisting of gifts and bequests from wills and estate planning. This committee creates an annual marketing plan for growth in participation in the Horizon Fund and also plans occasional reunions for Horizon Club members.
  • International-- The CYMCA has affiliations with several YMCAs worldwide, in India, Thailand, Jordan and Africa. This committee administers an annual budget of approx. $8000 and allocates this to support approved initiatives in our affiliate YMCAs. The committee also works on ways to educate and share cultural diversity with our program participants and our incorporator base.
  • Phonathon--This committee is responsible for development of a theme and all planning for the annual September phonathon fundraiser.
  • Program-- The CYMCA is all about providing valuable program experiences for youth. The Program committee helps to set the direction and type of programs that we offer. Looking to the future and reviewing the current program base, the committee ensures that the CYMCA is adhering to the mission statement, keeping with trends and anticipating changes that could affect our ability to be competitive with our programs.
  • Properties-- The Properties committee oversees the management of the woodland property in Richmond and the office property in Keene. They are currently working on the development of a master Site Development Plan to guide our future development. This committee also is responsible for organizing the annual Opportunities workday at Camp Takodah, as well as the annual Takodah Bond fundraiser.
  • Site Development-- This committee is responsible to respond to the developmental needs of the CYMCA for new facilities and major facility improvements. They also develop and monitor master site plans that help to direct the development of facilities to meet the needs of our program initiatives.
  • Special Events-- Each year this committee plans the Incorporator’s gathering at the annual Association Business Meeting and Dinner

How to Become Involved with CYMCA Programs
The Cheshire YMCA’s volunteers are the finest role models available to the youth we serve. Some have a great deal of experience in working with youth and others are looking to become involved. You will be required to go through an application and background check process. You will also have an interview with the Director of the program. All volunteers must represent safe harbor.

Contact the Cheshire YMCA at 603-352-0447 or e-mail info@cheshireymca.org