Volunteer FAQ

Adult Facilitator/Volunteer FAQ

Questions:

What does it mean to volunteer at a Challenge Day?

Challenge Days are usually held at schools, and serve up to 100 students and 25-30 adults (at least 1 adult for every 5 students). Adults are school staff, administrators, teachers, parents and even interested community members and outside volunteers. We call these adults "Adult Facilitators," and they participate fully in the program along with the students.

Many schools are open to having community members and outside volunteers come and be part of their Challenge Day.

Do Adult Facilitators need to be trained beforehand?

No, you do not need any special training to be an Adult Facilitator. We send two trained Challenge Day Leaders to each Challenge Day. Challenge Day Leaders lead the Challenge Day for students and adults. We ask volunteers to arrive 30 minutes early for a morning meeting before the Challenge Day starts, commit to participate in the entire day, and stay 30 minutes after the day ends for a wrap-up meeting. During the morning meeting, one of the Leaders will explain your role and exactly what to expect. During the wrap-up meeting the other Leader will receive your feedback and make sure that any student that needs follow-up will receive it. Your biggest objective in the day is to participate fully and to listen.

What will I do?

You will experience Challenge Day along with all of the other participants. Adult Facilitators are part of the workshop day. By being there, you will be letting students know that there are caring adults in their community who are willing to be real with them.

Can I come and just watch?

No. Everyone at a Challenge Day participates equally. Challenge Day is about breaking down the separations students feel, including the generation gap.

Can I come for just an hour? Can I leave at lunch?

No. The Challenge Day experience is designed to be an unbroken process that starts in the morning with fun and games and ends in the afternoon with sharing and bonding. Therefore, it's important for everyone to stay for the entire process. We require that you commit to staying in the room all day.

How long is a Challenge Day?

Normally, Challenge Days run the length of that particular school's regular day, e.g. 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. In this example, you would be asked to arrive no later than 7:30 a.m., and stay until 3:30 p.m., to accommodate the facilitator meetings after the Challenge Day ends.

Do I need to bring anything?

Yes! Yourself, a caring heart, and a bag lunch (unless the school coordinator informs you otherwise). Please DO NOT bring your cell phones, pagers, or anything that will distract you from being fully present.

How can I find out if there is a Challenge Day near me where I can volunteer?

Check our online Calendar to find Challenge Days open to adult facilitators.

This calendar only lists Challenge Days open to adult volunteers outside the school community. It is searchable by date and proximity to you.

How many Challenge Days happen every day?

Almost every school day, between one and seven Challenge Days are taking place somewhere in the United States.

I can't find a Challenge Day near me! What can I do?

It’s possible that there may not be a Challenge Day happening in your area. Although we would like to live in a world were every school had a Challenge Day, we're not there yet!

You can sign up with us as a potential volunteer. See the next question to find out more.

There are also many other ways to be involved. For ideas, check out the rest of our Get Involved area.

Can I sign up in case there is a school in my area that needs adult facilitators?

Yes! Sign up to be a potential volunteer with us on the Contact Us form. Check the "Volunteer" option. We will put your name and email address on a list of people willing to volunteer in your area. We will send you an email when a school requests help finding adult volunteers.

Why doesn't the calendar show the school name?

Our calendar keeps school names confidential for security reasons. Schools do not want adult volunteers to simply show up on the Challenge Day. Volunteers need to register with the school's Challenge Day coordinator so the school can expect them.

OK, I looked on the calendar and found a Challenge Day near me. What do I do next?

Click on the day and you'll see the coordinator contact details (email and phone number). Contact the coordinator to sign up as a volunteer.

What do people who have volunteered say about the experience?

Over the years, volunteers have shared inspiring stories about their Challenge Day experience with us. We've highlighted a few below. You can find more at: Communities.

“I was blown away to see a group of introverted 'inner-groupers' becoming open, loving, and sharing individuals in a short six hours!” - Alvin Pruitt - Austin Eastside Story, Austin, TX

“When I signed up for Challenge Day I thought I was going for the kids. Clearly it was the gift I needed for myself.” - R.C. Kelly, Police Activities League, Atlanta, GA

“Things would have been very different if I had a Challenge Day at my school.” - Jim Armstrong - Reporter, KGWC News Channel 14

“I was amazed by what the students shared and how I could get close to them as an adult that they didn't previously know. It gave me an inside view of a middle schooler's mind and tribulations as well as my own. Thank you!” - A. Plean, Steamboat Springs, CO

“Powerful! As an adult facilitator, I came in with an illusion that this would be 'all about the kids.' I discovered that it's all about relationships. The timing and sequence of activities worked very well to bring people out of their comfort zone. The power shuffle was amazing.” - L. Middleton, Steamboat Springs, CO

“This program is desperately needed in every school across the country. The impact that it made on me and the students I saw here will not be forgotten... Thank You!” - Addictions Therapist R. Giuliano, Michigan