Youth Service Day volunteer site options include opportunities for students to spend time outdoors, including in forested areas.
On April 29, 2023, Watauga High School students will gather with the intent of serving the Watauga County community. Motivated by the desire of young people in our school to lend a hand, Mountain Alliance, a service and leadership organization in Watauga and Avery counties, will be hosting “Youth Service Day.” Students will be assigned a service activity based on their preferences and will volunteer from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., before heading to Valle Crucis Park to celebrate their work until 5:00 p.m.
Current volunteer opportunities include river clean-ups, wetland clean ups, “picking up trash from trails or rivers, removing invasive species, helping with trail building or maintenance, splitting firewood, or completing other service work for organizations in the community,” according to Rachel Witmer, Associate Director of Mountain Alliance. Youth Service Day is one of Witmer’s favorite Mountain Alliance-sponsored programs.
“Last year, 50 students and 19 adults participated in Youth Service and completed 384 hours of service for the community,” said Witmer. “This included building a trail in Foscoe, cleaning up the New River on the Greenway, completing a project for the Hospitality House garden, serving at Valle Crucis Community Park, and picking up trash on our Adopt-a-Road in Avery County.”
Several of last years’ 50 participating students will be returning this year, including senior Kylie Broce. She’s helping out again this year because “Youth service day is an awesome opportunity to get service done, hang out with friends, and have a party. I love the feeling of doing hard work for a good cause, especially laughing all the way through.”
One team of youth and adult volunteers from 2022’s
Youth Service Day celebrate their hard work.
Students value the day because of the community service opportunity, time with friends, and outdoor recreation.
“This year, as we have for the past two years, my friends and I are all going to sign up for the same service site,” said senior Kyle Hollars. “I love getting to spend time with my friends, spending time outside, and helping my community.”
Clubs such as "Interact" often volunteer together.
Students and clubs can still sign up to get involved with the event. “Youth Service Day is a great way to give back to the community while having fun! It's also part of a global effort to do good in the world,” said Witmer. “You also get free food out of it at the after party!”
The celebration at Valle Crucis Park includes food and games.
Students can sign up by going to www.mountainalliance.org/trips, clicking on "Register for a Program", and then selecting the Watauga 22-23 option. They’re also encouraged to email Rachel at witmerr@wataugaschools.org for more information.
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