The Maryland Soccer Foundation's mission is to provide Montgomery County youth with a positive sports experience in a fun and safe environment that nurtures and fosters each athlete's character, thinking skills, and physical abilities. The foundation is based in Boyds and is the umbrella organization for the Maryland SoccerPlex, a 24-field complex in Boyds used by local soccer clubs and leagues; the Discovery Sports Center, a 66,000-square-foot indoor facility that houses eight basketball/volleyball courts that are converted to indoor soccer fields in the winter; and SAM Soccer youth soccer clubs, which offer clinics, camps, and leagues for individuals age 2 to 18.

Through the years, the Maryland Soccer Foundation has developed a growing volunteer base, including many high school students. The organization's most popular volunteer activity, its summer counselor in training program, allows high school students to volunteer a week at a time to work with campers ages 3 to 13 in sports instruction, playing games, and assisting in other fun activities and field trips. Each student volunteer is paired with a seasoned staff counselor who assists and trains them in setting up games and activities, maintaining the facility, and more. This opportunity is pre-approved for MCPS student service learning hours.

The benefits of volunteering with the summer CIT program are numerous. For one, students learn responsibility, as they are given many tasks to complete throughout the week. Because they must work with many different types of personalities and age groups, student volunteers also gain skills in helping others and problem-solving.  

Other volunteer opportunities available with the Maryland Soccer Foundation include working as a referee for indoor and outdoor sports, serving as a soccer coaching assistant, and acting as an event assistant for two annual community fairs--Summer Solstice 2016 (Friday, June 10) and OktoberPlex (Sunday, Oct. 2)--in which volunteers set up and run games, contests, and activities. All are SSL pre-approved.

To learn more, email Shana Harris, call 301-528-1480, or visit the foundation's website.

Monthly Gardeners: Help maintain Hospice Caring's gardens, which provide welcoming, calming, healing spaces for families, staff, volunteers, and the community. The gardens include a gazebo, a water feature, strolling paths, and a labyrinth, and overlook the park and pond at Gaithersburg's Bohrer Park. Volunteers commit to one morning a month helping with light cleaning of the garden beds, watering plantings, and other basic essentials. No heavy lifting, cutting, or pruning required. Email Deanie Preston or call 301-869-4673.  

Baseball Game Crew: Operate the scoreboard, announce the game, sing the National Anthem, run the sound system, or sell tickets, concessions, or souvenirs at the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts home games. The summer collegiate team is organized by Maryland Community Baseball Inc. and game proceeds raise funds to improve youth baseball and softball fields. Minimum age: 14. Email Edward Sharp or call 301-983-1358.

Summer Meal Site Volunteers: Serve food and share a skill at Share Our Strength's summer meal site in Silver Spring, which provides meals five days a week for children who normally rely on food from school programs to keep them nourished. Volunteers must commit to helping two or three days per week, and preference goes to those who can also read, do an art project, teach music, or add some other learning component to their service. Minimum age: 18. Email Tiffany Haynes or call 410-456-6778.