Teen Volunteer Opportunities

The City of Cupertino offers teen volunteer opportunities to help young people develop valuable skills, gain real-world experience, and contribute to their community. Explore our programs below to discover how you can get involved and grow as a young leader.

 

Leader in Training

The Leaders in Training program provides Cupertino teens with valuable summer experience representing the City of Cupertino by supporting recreation programs. Working alongside City staff, participants gain hands-on experience leading camps and supervising students. Leaders in Training will receive valuable in-service training and weekly evaluations to support their development. Participants are encouraged to volunteer for 4-8 weeks during summer.

 

Requirements and Expectations

a. Admitted volunteers are expected to meet the following requirements

b. Be 14 years or older by the first day of in-service training

c. Attend in-service training week

d. Provide their own transportation to and from program sites

 

 

Application Checklist
  • LIT Application
  • Payment will be collected once volunteers are accepted into the program and may be rescinded if fees are not paid on time. Signed Waivers and Liability Forms will be included in this process.
  • Applications will open in February 2025

 

In-service Training

Our in-service training week focuses on key areas including customer service, safety protocols, public speaking, and more. This comprehensive approach is designed to help our Leaders in Training gain confidence, find their leadership style, and prepare them for success in the workforce.

 

 

Selection of LIT Team

Due to the increasing popularity and standards of the program, we will be using the following to select our LIT teams:

  1. Answers to the supplemental questions
  2. Interview performance
  3. Summer availability

Once selected, volunteers will be sent acceptance emails with the next steps on completing TB testing, fingerprinting, and submitting payment and waivers. Program assignments will be received in late-May.

 

Questions?

Contact Robert Kaufman at robertk@cupertino.gov.

 

Youth Activity Board 

The Youth Activity Board (YAB) is a leadership group of 13 dedicated middle and high school students who plan and lead community events for Cupertino youth. Working with Recreation staff and the Teen Commission, YAB members develop new programs aimed at creating engaging activities for local youth every other month.

 

Current Members
Application Process

Applications for Youth Activity Board 2025-2026 will open in April 2025 All applicants must complete the online application form.

 

The application consists of the following components:

1. Supplemental questions (300 words max each):

  • If you were selected to serve on YAB, what new event/activity would you like to see the YAB organize?
  • What program or resource do you think is missing from youth’s lives and how would you bring this resource to the community through YAB?
  • What skills, talents, or strengths would you bring to the YAB?
  • What do you like to do for fun/what are your hobbies?

 

2. One recommendation letter (non-family) on letterhead, emailed to robertk@cupertino.gov. Recommendations submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.

 

3. One-minute 'About Me' video that can be anything from why you want to serve on YAB, your hobbies, aspirations, or anything you feel we should know about who YOU are. Your skills, accomplishments, and qualifications will already be captured on the application so take this opportunity to highlight more unique things about you! 21

  • All videos should be set to ‘private’ or ‘unlisted’ on YouTube. Copy and paste the share link into the submission field on the application.

     

 

 

Eligibility Requirements

The Cupertino Youth Activity Board is open to current and incoming 8th through 11th grade students. This means that students must be in the 8th or 11th grade for the upcoming school year. All eligible students may apply, however, preference is given to residents of the City of Cupertino.

Application Tips

Here are some tips when preparing your YAB application:

  • Read the instructions carefully and internalize the application deadline. There will be no exceptions made on any late materials. This is to make the application fair and equal to everyone.

  • Give your letter writer enough notice to write and submit your letter. If your letter writer is late to submit, your application will be automatically considered ineligible.

  • Draft the answers to the supplemental questions early! Make sure to slow down and give yourself enough time to write your answers.

  • Proofread, rewrite, and walk away. Writing effectively takes time and planning. Use the review feature on your word processor or utilize services such as Grammarly to check for any spelling and grammar errors.

  • Follow the same drafting processes for your video by creating a storyboard or script for your video and re-recording until you are satisfied with the final product.

  • When recording your video, make sure you have good lighting, and the audio comes out clear.

  • Do not wait until the day before!

 

Prior Events

 

 

 

Recreation Event Volunteers

September recruitment for REV is live and we are still recruiting new members. Complete this online application to be considered a member of REV.

Recreation Event Volunteers (REV) is a teen volunteering group that supports Cupertino Parks and Recreation events. Teens will be able to hone their leadership skills, create a meaningful impact on their community, and earn volunteering hours.

Who is the REV leadership?
How can I join REV?

To apply as a member of REV, applicants must fully complete the online application. Applications are reviewed on a rolling, quarterly basis. Reviews are conducted around the following times: 

  1. September 
  2.  December 
  3.  March 
  4.  May 

 Applicants will be notified of their application status shortly after these review periods. 

 

There are also supplemental questions to answer on the application. For your drafting purposes, here are the supplemental questions (each answer should not exceed 300 words): 

  1. What inspired you to start volunteering, and how has it impacted your life so far?
  2. If you noticed an area for improvement in one of our events, how would you go about suggesting and implementing a change? 

 

Requirements and Expectations

  • Applicants must be current or incoming 9th to 12th graders for the respective school year and a minimum of 14 years of age. 

  • REV members are required to participate in at least 2 of the City's major events such as Monster Mash, Big Bunny 5K, and Independence Day Celebration and 2 minor events such as Tree Lighting and Sweetheart Social. This means volunteering opportunities will be held on some holidays, weekends, and evenings. By applying, you acknowledge and agree to be available for these events. 

  • REV members are expected to attend the monthly general meetings.

  • Review the REV calendar for more detailed information on REV events and meetings.

     

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