Volunteer with SSDS in our Summer Discovery Program 2025

Silver Spring Day School (SSDS) is a local play based preschool and is an MCPS approved Student Service Learning (SSL) site. Our volunteer opportunities are for students who are rising 6th graders through 12th grade. Your commitment involves supporting SSDS teachers in our summer program, playing, and interacting with young children ages 2 - 5 years of age.

Applications are due by Friday, February 28, 2025.

Volunteer spots are limited. We will let you know whether or not you received a spot by Friday, March 14, 2025.

Student Volunteer Responsibilities

ALL Summer Discovery student volunteers will:

• arrive at 8:30 am on the first day for a training meeting

• commit to a week (M-F) of volunteering at a minimum (Please note: session 1 is Mon, Tues, Wed, & Fri due to SSDS closed Thursday for Juneteenth holiday and session 3 is Mon-Thurs due to SSDS closed Fri for July 4th holiday.)

• assist with Summer Discovery activities and programming including educational activities, games, art projects, songs, books, friendly interactions, outside adventures, and open-play creativity.

• maintain flexibility as responsibilities vary each day

• work with, support, and respect teachers, staff, parents, children, and other student volunteers

• guide and ensure safety of summer discovery children and report any issues to a teacher immediately

• follow instructions from teachers and staff

• arrive on time and sign in and sign out each day

• call the summer enrichment program director or SSDS office if unable to attend an assigned day

• be evaluated at the end of the week

• adhere to the “no cell phone allowed at any time” rule (except in emergencies or as approved by teacher)

• stay with assigned group at all times; an assignment will be made at the beginning of each week

• adhere to all program policies and guidelines

• wear an SSDS–provided t-shirt while volunteering (provided on the 1st day of volunteering)

Click here to review our family sick policy. Staff and volunteers follow the same guidance.

HAVE FUN!!

If student volunteers are unable to follow the above guidelines or perform the tasks assigned to them, they may be dismissed from the program at any time.

Please indicate any week(s) you are available to volunteer. Spaces are limited. Most volunteers join SSDS for one week.

Availability for Summer Discovery 2025
*

	Yes	Not Available
Week 1, June 16-20 (closed June 19):	Yes	Not Available
Week 2, June 23-June 27:	Yes	Not Available
Week 3, July 30-July 3: (closed July 4)	Yes	Not Available
Week 4, July 7-July 11:	Yes	Not Available
Week 5, July 14-July 18:	Yes	Not Available
Week 6, July 21-July 25:	Yes	Not Available

Student Volunteer Daily Schedule and Expectations

SUMMARY OF DAILY SCHEDULE AND EXPECTATIONS

8:45 am Set up

Sign in and check in with Summer Coordinator

The teacher will let you know what exploratory activities they will need help setting up. Other possible duties include, but are not limited to: sensory table, water area, bikes, art items, sand and water toys, books, projects, games, snack, taking out trash; and other jobs upon request. When student volunteers are assigned a project or station, they will set up their station /project area and will remain there for the duration of playtime, unless they are needed elsewhere.

9:00 am - 1:00 pm

For the most part, Summer Discovery will take place outside on the playground, weather permitting. There will be some indoor classroom play.

Volunteer students will be asked to supervise outdoor areas of the playground and/or stations. Areas and/or stations will include but are not limited to: water area, swing, art area, book area, beading area, sand box, picnic tables, and more (such as snack and lunch areas). Student volunteers will interact with and help facilitate play with children throughout the day. Some play will be in small groups and at other times large groups. It is always important to take the guidance of teachers and support where needed most.

Volunteer Applicant Information

Relationship to SSDS *

First name *

Last name *

Preferred name *

Gender (optional)

Preferred pronoun/s (optional)

Racial/Ethnic Group (optional): With the goal of increasing the diversity of our school, SSDS is gathering information about the racial/ethnic background of our staff, students, and volunteers. Answering this question is completely voluntary. Please check as many as apply.

Date of birth *

Grade level for the fall of the 25-26 school year *

High school or middle school will attend in the fall of the 25-26 school year *

Allergies or other medical information you would like to share? *

If you answered "yes" to the above question about allergies and other medical information, please use this area to explain:

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Street address *

City *

State *

Zipcode *

Applicant's phone number *

Additional phone number (if applicable)

Applicant's email address *

Applicant's preferred t-shirt size *

Additional Information

What would you like to learn from your volunteer experience? *

0/500 characters

What types of volunteering have you done in the past? *

0/500 characters

What are your hobbies, special skills, or talents? *

0/500 characters

If you have previous experience working with children, please explain here. If not, state n/a. *

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Parent/Guardian Information

Parent contact first name *

Parent contact last name *

Parent's email *

Parent's phone number *

Additional parent phone number (if applicable)

2025 UNDERSTANDING & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I understand and acknowledge that Summer Discovery student volunteers are: *

	initials
offered SSL hours only	initials
not offered stipends by SSDS	initials
required to attend mandatory orientation meeting	initials
up to date on all immunizations that are required by MCPS	initials
medically and emotionally fit to work and volunteer in a child care facility	initials

SSDS welcomes all individuals to volunteer. If you need accomodations, please reach out to us.