Volunteer Opportunities with Courage Center Duluth
Sports and Outdoor Adventures for Every Season!
Courage Center Duluth offers a wide variety of recreational and competitive sports programs for youth, adults and families in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. These activities enhance independence, improve self-confidence and encourage an active, healthy lifestyle for youth and adults with physical disabilities, and youth on the autism spectrum. These programs would not be possible without the generous time and talents of volunteers!
Please note that there are a limited number of volunteer positions available for the programs listed below. Contact Lisa Lauzon, volunteer coordinator, 218-726-4763 or lisa.lauzon@CourageCenter.org for more information on a specific program.
Summer Programs
Day Camp
For youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Activities include: social recreation activities (biking, disc golf, geo-caching, hikes, swimming), arts-n-crafts, technology (using IPADs, digital cameras, and doing blog posts), and possible field trips to area locations. Purpose: To provide children who have social difficulties related to high functioning autism, Asperger Syndrome or other social communication disorder an opportunity to have fun and work together in a group. No experience necessary to volunteer.
Location: University of Minnesota – Duluth
Dates: July 23 -27
Times: 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) training
For all new and returning Courage volunteers, June 6, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Duluth YMCA. If you’ve taken this training, you do not need to attend. RSVP is required; no cost.
Cycling on the Eastern Lake Walk Trail
Mondays, June 11–July 16, 6–7 p.m.
Bring your own bike and helmet and come prepared to ride!
Golf at Nemadji Golf Course, Superior
Tuesday noon – 3:00, June 12, 26, July 10, 24, August 7
Come enjoy the outdoors! Bring your clubs and a fun attitude. Some knowledge and basic skill of golf required.
Swimming Lessons at the Duluth YMCA.
Assist with swimming lessons to students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Dates: Wednesdays 5:30–6 p.m., June 13, 20, 27, July 11, 18
No experience necessary, but you should be comfortable with kids in the water.
Kayaking on St. Louis Bay – UMD Aquatics Center
Thursdays, June 21–Aug. 9, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Some kayak experience and basic skills required. Volunteer orientation June 14, 6:30 p.m..
Sailing on Park Point boat launch (Duluth Superor Sailing Center)
Thursdays, June 21 – Aug. 9, 3–6 p.m.
Volunteer orientation June 14; time to be announced.
Specialized boats are adapted to accommodate a wide range of abilities. Norlin Mark III, 2.4 meter boats, multi-hulls and some large cruisers are available. An accessible launching dock and hydraulic lift are used to assist sailors in and out of boats. Basic knowledge of sailing and sailing skills preferred.
South Shore Sea Kayak Adventure
Days/Time: Aug. 1 or Aug. 8, 7 a.m.–5 p.m.
Strong kayak skills & experience required. This is a professionally guided trip of the South Shore of Lake Superior for a day of paddling and exploring. Possible destinations include the Sea Caves or Bark Bay, depending on weather conditions.
Water Ski Clinic/Family Day on the Lake
Date/time: TBD
Activities include water skiing, boat rides,and socialization!
Location: Pike Lake AAA Club
Lego Robotics at the College of St. Scholastica
This three-day session is designed for children with autism. No experience necessary.
Dates/Times: TBD
Youth Group for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders
This three-week youth development program is designed for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Weekly sessions will introduce participants to new friendships and opportunities to explore our city hiking trails as well as building youth development skills. Activities will include short hikes and fun outdoor recreation activities such as Disc golf, geo-caching, bocce ball and other back-yard type games.
Session I – June 12, 19, 26, 6-7:30 p.m.
Session II – Aug. 7, 14 and 21, 6–7:30 p.m.
Location varies from week to week
A Preview of Our Programs in Other Seasons
Fall Programs
Archery
Power Soccer
Swimming at the YMCA
Lego Robotics
Climbing at St. Scholastica
Curling
Winter Programs
Adaptive ski programs at Spirit Mt, Buena Vista (Bemidji) and Giant’s Ridge (Biwabik)
Great Lakes Mono Ski Madness
Curling
Swimming at the YMCA
Up North Adventure (dog sled)
Watch this web page for more information or contact Lisa Lauzon, volunteer coordinator for Courage Center Duluth, at
218-726-4763 or Lisa.Lauzon@CourageCenter.org.
Mentor Duluth Partnership
Matching kids with positive adult role models
Courage Center Duluth is beginning a new partnership with the Mentor Duluth Collaborative. This initiative is made possible by the financial support of the Ordean Foundation. We are looking for current Courage Center Duluth adult volunteers who are interested in being matched up one-on-one with a Courage Center Duluth youth participant. Being a part of this mentor program allows an adult volunteer to work and play with the same youth participant both in Courage Center Duluth programs and out in the community.
Strengthened by 70 years of mentoring experience, the Mentor Duluth Collaborative matches positive adults with young people between the ages of 5 and 17. Mentor Duluth believes that all young people have the need for a positive adult, outside of their family, to provide support. Our mentors are asked to be a role model, guide, resource and - most importantly - a friend to their mentees. Mentoring takes place in the community and activities can be anything from sporting events or cooking dinner to hiking up the North Shore or participating in activities organized by Courage Center Duluth or Mentor Duluth. If you're interested please contact Mark at 218-726-4834.