The following is a list of opportunities for involvement with current and future Cincinnati Recreation youth programs. The CRC staff welcomes the opportunity to partner with PAL officers in engaging our youth in positive leisure activities, either with existing programs or on new projects or activities. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Becky Smith @ 352-4031 or by e-mail at becky.smith@cincinnati-oh.gov.

Sports Leagues & Activities : CRC offers a variety of sports programs, some city-wide and some center-based for youth and teens throughout the year. Sports programming ranges from introductory and skill building activities to formalized leagues. CRC staff is always in need of coaches to serve as positive role models in leadership and good sportsmanship. These are just a few of the opportunities available:

• Seasonal Leagues: CRC staff conducts leagues throughout the year in flag football, soccer, basketball, floor hockey and softball. These leagues are conducted at various locations around the city.
• CRC Youth Sports Committee: This group is made up of full-time CRC staff representatives who meet monthly to coordinate these leagues throughout the city, as well as other special sports events and programs. A representative from PAL could serve as a liaison between the Sports Committee and PAL sharing information on volunteer opportunities.
• Bowling Programs: There is always a need for volunteers with this skill to help teach our youth this fun, social activity.
• Reds’ Rookie Success League: This program is a partnership between CRC and The Cincinnati Reds to promote healthy lifestyles and positive character development among our youth, through involvement in this baseball league. This non-competitive league stresses the importance of being a “successful person first”. The goal of this program is to have a minimum of 3 coaches per team and PAL officers would be ideal for this. The Reds provide all the equipment, shirts, promotional items and a day at the Great American Ballpark.
• Fitness and Nutrition Programs: Track and field events, cooking classes that promote healthy snacks and meals, outdoor/gym games and Karate classes are just a few of the activities provided at most centers. Staff can always use assistance in conducting these activities with the center participants.

Educational Opportunities : During after school hours, nearly all centers offer a homework club or tutoring program to assist children in getting their homework completed each school day. Many children do not have anyone to help them at home.

• Homework Assistance / Tutoring: Volunteers are always needed to help children get their homework finished after school. Many children need one-on-one assistance.
• Reading Clubs: Volunteers are needed to read to younger children and to help older children improve their reading and comprehension skills. This is the cornerstone of education and where many children fall behind.
• Computer Classes: Many of our centers have computers available for our youth to use. Most children know how to play games on them, but need to begin building computer skills that they will use the rest of their lives. Instructors are always needed, as well as educational software and knowledgeable volunteers who can help with this process.
• Youth Safety Education: Volunteers and assistance is needed in helping younger children be more safety conscious and aware of violence issues perhaps at home or in their neighborhoods. Drug abuse awareness and prevention are appropriate educational topics for teens.

Outdoor Recreation : CRC has been expanding outdoor recreation opportunities for youth and teens including camping, kayaking, canoeing, bicycling, backpacking and rafting. These programs, by nature, require additional volunteers, expertise and staff.

• RiverTrek: This high adventure program is a 5 day/ 4 night paddling trip down the Little Miami from above Fort Ancient to Cincinnati’s Public Landing. Teens from diverse backgrounds come together in this challenge, building teamwork skills and self-confidence as they master their paddling and camping skills. Truly a lifetime experience for them! Police officers have played a key role in this experience since the first trip seven years ago. Volunteers are needed to help shuttle support vehicles, paddling with participants on the river and assisting with evening meals and activities.
• Adventure Outpost: In a partnership with Hamilton County Parks, CRC youth participants have the opportunity to participate in a 3 day / 2 night camping experience at Winton Woods. Youth sleep in cabins and participate in such outdoor recreation activities as a low-ropes course, bicycling, canoeing and test their skills on a climbing wall. Volunteers can assist the staff in these activities and help the youth to build skills, teamwork and self-confidence through this fun and adventurous program. Most camping dates are scheduled June thru August, with some weekend overnights in the spring and fall.
• Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs: If fishing is your sport, this program is for you! Assist CRC youth and teen participants in learning the basics of this life-long, leisure activity. By assisting in a weekly summer program, you will have a great opportunity to get to know our youth in a relaxed, recreational setting. Volunteers are also needed for annual special events including Kids’ Fest in early June and Fish Fest in late July.
• Discover Scuba: Each year in the Fall/Winter/Spring CRC, SCUBA Unlimited and the Cincinnati Police Department work together to instruct and certify teen divers. This program often culminates in a trip to Florida in which participants become certified P.A.D.I. divers. Police officers have traditionally assisted with the class and as chaperones on the diving trip.
• Other Outdoor Adventure Programs: CRC staff is currently seeking funding for expanding this area of programming to include downhill skiing, rafting and backpacking opportunities.

Teen Programs/Activities : CRC has a wide range of programs geared toward the special needs of our teen population. Each center plans and conducts activities based on their teen participants’ input and interest, helping them build on the life skills they will need to become healthy and successful adults. The following programs offer great avenues for getting involved with the teens in our community.

• City-Wide Teen Advisory Committee: These meetings are held quarterly with teen program staff and participants to discuss topics of interest to teens and to share program information on a city-wide basis. In addition, committees are formed to help plan and conduct the City-Wide Teen Socials. It would be great to have a PAL representative become involved with this committee.
• City-Wide Teen Socials: Two socials are held quarterly, one for ages 12 to 14, and the other for 15 to 17 year olds. During the school year, they are held on Friday evenings either at a CRC Community Center or a teen-oriented facility. The teens plan and help conduct the activities for the socials. These events are free and some food is provided. There are usually 100 to 150 participants in attendance. Volunteers are always needed to assist with the activities.
• Teen Lounge Activities: Many of our centers have Teen Lounges which were created to give the teens their own space within a community center. Homework sessions, computer games, Teen Rap talk sessions, game room activities, job skills programs, music and video games, and just “hanging out” with friends, are all part of the teen lounge scene. It’s a great place to get to know the teens in your community.

Day Camps and After School Activities : All of our Recreation Centers offer programs for youth during after school hours and throughout the summer. Many centers run Before and After School Day Camps, but all offer drop in activities in a safe and fun environment.

• Field Trips: During summer months and occasionally throughout the school year, CRC staff takes youth on field trips to special places or events around the city. Additional volunteers are always appreciated to help supervise the children or to help with transportation using city vans.
• After School & Summer Classes: Each quarter of the year, a wide variety of classes are offered at each of our 32 CRC Community Centers throughout the city. If you have a special skill or talent that you would like to share with our youth, whether in the arts or sports, please contact us about setting up a class in your neighborhood center.
• Junior Patrol Program: This would be a fun class to offer at our centers to teach children all about being a police officer. It could be a one time session, or an actual class. Could include learning about conflict / resolution, diffusing an argument, crime investigation, trips to a forensic lab, meeting police dogs, horses etc.

Special Events : There are numerous special events from track meets to swim derbies, holiday basketball tournaments to Punt, Pass & Kick and the Diamond Skills events. There are art shows and talent shows for those who like to perform. We have haunted houses, costume parties, Holiday parties, Easter Egg Hunts. Kids Fest and Fish Fest are two major events and there is so much more to get involved in!
Opportunities to Assist with Special Needs Children : Our Therapeutic Division of Recreation provides programs for children with special needs including summer day camps, school year arts and crafts programs, field trips, dances, adapted baseball, wheel chair tennis and basketball. There are field trips, outdoor adventure clubs, teen dances and much, much more! Volunteers to assist in these activities are always welcome!

If after reviewing the above, you are ready to volunteer, or you just want more information please call Becky Smith at 352-4031 or send an e-mail to becky.smith@cincinnati-oh.gov. Have fun while helping others! We need you!