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Volunteer with the YMCA
When you are involved with the YMCA of Greater Boston, you help bring about lasting personal and social change. Whether you want to nurture the potential of children, improve your family’s health, or give back to your neighbors, your involvement with the Y, a charitable organization, will positively impact your community.
- Gain new skills
- Make new friends
- Improve our mental and physical health
- Strengthen communities
Health & Wellness
Volunteer for our wellness events and help spread the message of healthy living.
See MoreCenter Support & Administrative Help
Behind every success story, there's administrative support!
See MoreYouth Sports
Join our team of volunteers for youth sports programs and be a mentor, coach, and role model for young athletes.
See MoreFrequently Asked Questions
The YMCA of Greater Boston offers many different types of volunteer roles. Volunteers could:
- Lead a program or class such as a youth soccer coach or a yoga instructor
- Help pack food at our Food Distribution warehouse
- Read to our children in our Early Education Programs
- Read or lead an activity in our After School Programs
- Help with a Special Event such as Healthy Kids’ Day or one of our Together We Move 5K Races
- Serve on one of our Board of Advisors at a local Center or on the General Board
Among other opportunities!
Depending on the volunteer opportunity, there are different criteria that the volunteer must meet. All volunteers must sign a YMCA Waiver, present a photo ID at the time of volunteering to be run through HALL PASS, our background-check software; Some volunteers will be required to submit CORI/SORI background paperwork if they are volunteering on an ongoing project (more than one day) or are going to be directly involved with our youth and most vulnerable participants. This takes time to process, so plan accordingly.
At this time we do not offer court mandated community service at the YCMA of Greater Boston.
You can visit our VolunteerMatters project catalog which lists all of our current open volunteer opportunities.
Depending on the opportunity, there may be an age limit and/or previous experience required.
Volunteers in Action!
GROUP FITNESS CLASSES
Group Exercise
Explore all the fitness classes and reserve a space by logging into Motionvibe. Get your blood pumping with classes like HIIT and Zumba or tap into your mindfulness with yoga, Barre or Pilates.
WATER FITNESS
Water Fitness classes are an excellent choice to give your heart and muscles a great workout. The Y offers a range of Water Fitness classes, find the perfect one for you by logging into Motionvibe!
Gymnastics
5-10 weeks
Learn basic gymnastics skills like forward rolls, handstands and cartwheels. Flexibility and proper stretching techniques will be taught.
Parent/Child Stage A and B: Water Discovery and Exploration
5-10 weeks
In Stage A, the parent/guardian is introduced to working with their infant or toddler in the aquatic environment. In Stage B, the parent/guardian works with their child to learn the fundamentals of safety and swimming skills.
Pickleball
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong and is also fun, social, and friendly.
Preschool Soccer
5-10 weeks
This class will teach the fundamentals of soccer. Classes will focus on improving the players’ ball control skills, learning game rules and teamwork, and then playing a game.
Preschool Stage 1: Water Acclimation
5-10 weeks
In Stage 1, the parent/guardian works with their child to develop comfort with the following swim skills: underwater exploration, floating and learning to safely exit the pool.
Preschool Stage 2: Water Movement
5-10 weeks
In Stage 2, the child works to develop the following swim skills: body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water.
Preschool Stage 3: Water Stamina
5-10 weeks
In Stage 3, the child will work to develop the stamina needed to swim 25 yards unassisted, and introduces the following new skills: rhythmic breathing, and integrated arm and leg actions.
Preschool Stage 4: Stroke Introduction
5-10 weeks
In Stage 4, students work on developing swim stroke techniques for the front and back crawl and introduced to the breaststroke and butterfly kick.
Private Swim Lessons
5-10 weeks
Private swim lessons for youth and adults are scheduled at the convenience of the individual, the instructor and pool availability.
Private Swim Lessons
5-10 weeks
Private swim lessons for youth and adults are scheduled at the convenience of the individual, the instructor and pool availability.
Soccer Skills & Drills
5-10 weeks
This class teaches youth the fundamentals of soccer including ball control skill, passing, and shooting while incorporating teamwork and good sportsmanship.
Sports Sampler
5-10 weeks
Introduces youth to sports at the Y while fostering the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health, and good sportsmanship. This engaging program focuses on the skills and drills essential to learning the fundamentals of a variety of sports including basketball, baseball/t-ball, floor hockey, and soccer while having fun.
Tumbling Tots
5-10 weeks
Develop climbing, balance, and agility and coordination class in this physical play class.
Youth Stage 1: Water Acclimation
5-10 weeks
In Stage 1, the parent/guardian works with their child to develop comfort with the following swim skills: underwater exploration, floating and learning to safely exit the pool.
Youth Stage 2: Water Movement
5-10 weeks
In Stage 2, the child work to develop the following swim skills: body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water.
Youth Stage 3: Water Stamina
5-10 weeks
In Stage 3, the child will work to develop the stamina needed to swim 25 yards unassisted, and introduces the following new skills: rhythmic breathing, and integrated arm and leg actions.
Youth Stage 4: Stroke Introduction
5-10 weeks
In Stage 4, students work on developing swim stroke techniques for the front and back crawl and introduced to the breaststroke and butterfly kick.
Youth Stage 5: Stroke Development
5-10 weeks
In Stage 5, students work on integrating arm and leg actions for the breaststroke and butterfly strokes, and refine swim stroke skills and techniques for all other swim strokes.
Youth Stage 6: Stroke Mechanics
5-10 weeks
In Stage 6, students work on refining swim stroke technique for all major competitive strokes and building stamina to perform each stroke for greater distances. Students are introduced to the concept of, competitive swimming, and discover how to incorporate swimming into a healthy lifestyle.
GROUP FITNESS CLASSES
Group Exercise
Explore all the fitness classes and reserve a space by logging into Motionvibe. Get your blood pumping with classes like HIIT and Zumba or tap into your mindfulness with yoga, Barre or Pilates.
WATER FITNESS
Water Fitness classes are an excellent choice to give your heart and muscles a great workout. The Y offers a range of Water Fitness classes, find the perfect one for you by logging into Motionvibe!
Gymnastics
5-10 weeks
Learn basic gymnastics skills like forward rolls, handstands and cartwheels. Flexibility and proper stretching techniques will be taught.
Parent/Child Stage A and B: Water Discovery and Exploration
5-10 weeks
In Stage A, the parent/guardian is introduced to working with their infant or toddler in the aquatic environment. In Stage B, the parent/guardian works with their child to learn the fundamentals of safety and swimming skills.
Pickleball
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong and is also fun, social, and friendly.
Preschool Soccer
5-10 weeks
This class will teach the fundamentals of soccer. Classes will focus on improving the players’ ball control skills, learning game rules and teamwork, and then playing a game.
Preschool Stage 1: Water Acclimation
5-10 weeks
In Stage 1, the parent/guardian works with their child to develop comfort with the following swim skills: underwater exploration, floating and learning to safely exit the pool.
Preschool Stage 2: Water Movement
5-10 weeks
In Stage 2, the child works to develop the following swim skills: body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water.
Preschool Stage 3: Water Stamina
5-10 weeks
In Stage 3, the child will work to develop the stamina needed to swim 25 yards unassisted, and introduces the following new skills: rhythmic breathing, and integrated arm and leg actions.
Preschool Stage 4: Stroke Introduction
5-10 weeks
In Stage 4, students work on developing swim stroke techniques for the front and back crawl and introduced to the breaststroke and butterfly kick.
Private Swim Lessons
5-10 weeks
Private swim lessons for youth and adults are scheduled at the convenience of the individual, the instructor and pool availability.
Private Swim Lessons
5-10 weeks
Private swim lessons for youth and adults are scheduled at the convenience of the individual, the instructor and pool availability.
Soccer Skills & Drills
5-10 weeks
This class teaches youth the fundamentals of soccer including ball control skill, passing, and shooting while incorporating teamwork and good sportsmanship.
Sports Sampler
5-10 weeks
Introduces youth to sports at the Y while fostering the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health, and good sportsmanship. This engaging program focuses on the skills and drills essential to learning the fundamentals of a variety of sports including basketball, baseball/t-ball, floor hockey, and soccer while having fun.
Tumbling Tots
5-10 weeks
Develop climbing, balance, and agility and coordination class in this physical play class.
Youth Stage 1: Water Acclimation
5-10 weeks
In Stage 1, the parent/guardian works with their child to develop comfort with the following swim skills: underwater exploration, floating and learning to safely exit the pool.
Youth Stage 2: Water Movement
5-10 weeks
In Stage 2, the child work to develop the following swim skills: body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water.
Youth Stage 3: Water Stamina
5-10 weeks
In Stage 3, the child will work to develop the stamina needed to swim 25 yards unassisted, and introduces the following new skills: rhythmic breathing, and integrated arm and leg actions.
Youth Stage 4: Stroke Introduction
5-10 weeks
In Stage 4, students work on developing swim stroke techniques for the front and back crawl and introduced to the breaststroke and butterfly kick.
Youth Stage 5: Stroke Development
5-10 weeks
In Stage 5, students work on integrating arm and leg actions for the breaststroke and butterfly strokes, and refine swim stroke skills and techniques for all other swim strokes.
Youth Stage 6: Stroke Mechanics
5-10 weeks
In Stage 6, students work on refining swim stroke technique for all major competitive strokes and building stamina to perform each stroke for greater distances. Students are introduced to the concept of, competitive swimming, and discover how to incorporate swimming into a healthy lifestyle.