Outdoor Adventure Activity Captain

Youth Enrichment Services (YES) is a nonprofit that provides Boston youth with new outdoor experiences, confidence-building activities, and leadership programs. YES offers youth year-round involvement that promotes physical & mental activity and guidance toward positive development. Learn more about us at www.yeskids.org.  

Up2Us Sports is a coalition of more than 1,390 nonprofit organizations that believe in the power of sports to fight childhood obesity, end academic failure, and reduce gang participation. Up2Us Coach is a national coach/mentor program that places, trains, and supports coaches to provide meaningful experiences to more than 284,000 youth in a variety of sports programs nationwide.  

AmeriCorps works hand in hand with local partners to take on the challenges facing our nation. Up2Us Sports is a proud member of the AmeriCorps community. AmeriCorps members are not employees of the Program or of the federal government. As such, "a participant (Americorps member) shall not be an employee of the Program in which the participant is enrolled". Moreover, members may not perform an employee's duties or displace employees and are not eligible for unemployment compensation.  

Position Overview  

YES is hiring two part-time (16-20 hours/week) positions who are responsible for a range of activities related to program execution with a focus on direct service with youth ages 6-18. The Up2Us Coaches will spend time in the field with groups mid-week and some weekends year-round.  

Scope of Work & Responsibilities  

• Support track and field program: lead volunteer coaches and youth participants 
• Provide direct service to Boston youth using outdoor activities (rock climbing, hiking, biking, paddle sports, skiing and snowboarding) as a vehicle to build confidence and leadership skills.   
• Coach groups of youth in sports-based youth development programs  
• Support program promotion, recruitment, registration, attendance, and surveys  
• Provide group/behavior management, ensure safety and lead goal setting for youth in programs. 
• Build trusting relationships with YES partners, families, and community members.  
• Encourage participants to gain and develop life skills, knowledge, and techniques through sport, using lessons learned at Up2Us Sports’ best in class training events 
• Perform data collection activities, as directed by your Up2Us Sports Program Manager 

Requirements & Competencies  

• Completion of the minimum required hours of service/training by last day of contract  
• Positive role model, able to gain the respect and trust of the community and youth served  
• High school Diploma, some post-secondary course work preferred 
• 2+ years of experience working with children in an education, camp or similar setting  
• Desire to work outside and an interest in outdoor adventure  
• Enthusiastic self-motivator, able to problem solve. 
• Passion for the YES mission to create opportunities for urban youth; cultural competence 
• Completion of data collection plan and bi-weekly reflection logs & timesheets  
• Attend/participate in Up2Us Sports trainings/orientations, meetings, and special events/initiatives  
• Valid Driver’s license with a clean driving record 
• Service commitment to begin in August 2023 and end August 2024 

Compensation 

• Coaches receive a stipend of $9,000 for the year paid out bi-weekly through Up2Us. 
• Education award (used for academic purposes only) of $3,447.50 upon completion of service 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  Please apply online at www.yeskids.org/apply to be considered for the position.