Volunteer opportunities for kids at Walt Disney World’s sports events

It’s almost summer, and for many kids, that means lazy days of hanging out with friends by the pool or at the beach. But older kids and teenagers also may be looking for volunteer opportunities to fulfill the service requirements that many high-school diplomas and college applications require. And that made me wonder: Does Walt Disney World offer volunteer positions?

The Walt Disney Co. does, in fact, have a strong network of cast members called VoluntEARS, who help in their communities. That program, however, is designed for employees and their families only. So, what’s a kid who loves Disney to do?

The program runDisney actually offers a variety of volunteer opportunities during its races several times a year at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The minimum age varies, depending on the task, with 12 being the youngest age allowed. Some volunteer opportunities require the participant to be at least 15 years old.

The next runDisney weekend in Orlando is The Twilight Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend with races on Saturday, Oct. 4. Volunteer registration has not yet opened, but look for it on the runDisney website a few months before. Volunteers younger than 18 must have parental or guardian consent, and volunteers younger than 15 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Minors must have adults complete waivers for them.

Volunteers — or as runDisney calls them, “sports enthusiasts” — are typically assigned to areas on a first-come, first-served basis. For this weekend, they may choose to work at Disney’s Happy Haunted 5K Trail Run or The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10 -Miler if they are at least 12 years old. These jobs typically consist of filling cups with fluids and handing them to the runners or passing out medals at the finish line. Teens who are at least 15 years old may volunteer to work at Disney’s Kids’ Races or the Expo & Packet Pick Up on Friday, Oct. 3, or Saturday, Oct. 4.

Volunteers will receive confirmation in the mail of the shifts for which they have been scheduled about a month prior to the event.The mailing also will include further information on parking, directions, and other useful information.

Organizers of runDisney recognize that even though its Sports Enthusiasts are volunteering for their own personal reasons, they could not host the races without the volunteers’ help. As such, volunteers are given “appreciation,” for their time on the track. Each person receives a snack and one commemorative piece of apparel for the event.

In addition, volunteers at the expo, kids races or 5K are eligible to earn points toward a complimentary theme-park ticket. Each hour of service completed is equal to one point, and it takes 16 points to earn a day’s admission to Walt Disney World. Earned tickets are mailed within 60 days of reaching 16 points. However, if you complete a shift at the 10-miler, you will receive a theme-park ticket for that day’s volunteer effort at the end of your shift.

Sports Enthusiasts also are needed for events held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World. Currently, volunteer registration is open for the Amateur Athletic Union National Club Championships for Track and Field. Volunteer positions for start/finish line, field events, clerk’s tent and awards tent are available for ages 16 and older from July 5 to 13. One point will be awarded for each hour of service.

Questions? Call the Sports Enthusiast Information Line at 407-938-3880, or email [email protected].

Follow @Kristin_B_Ford

om/button/sharethis.js#publisher=626c3c3d-de0d-4cab-9c89-b6c3f7fe5ce5&type=website”>