By Sarah Bain, Youth and Student Engagement Coordinator, HandsOn Twin Cities

On Thursday, June 2^nd, HandsOn Twin Cities and GenerationOn—the national youth division of the Points of Light Institute— hosted a Boot Camp at Neighborhood House in St. Paul. This unique training was an intensive professional development opportunity for volunteer managers—focusing specifically on expanding practices to engage youth and families. About thirty participants explored the role of volunteer leaders and learned strategies and techniques for effectively working with kids and teens. A few members from HOTC’s Youth Advisory Board sat in as a panel allowing participants to ask questions about their ideas on volunteering and past volunteering experiences. The Boot Camp provided participants with the tools and resources necessary to allow organizations to be more effective managers of youth and family volunteers. Over the next 6 months, HOTC and GenerationOn will continue expand our resources and support to affiliates on how to engage youth and family volunteers.

For more information about GenerationOn visit http://www.generationon.org/