HOW CAN I VOLUNTEER?
Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Becky Spratke, with any questions or requests related to volunteering.
Why Volunteer?
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Get a front-row seat to your athlete's team experience. Volunteering lets you see the friendships, teamwork, and growth that happen behind the scenes—often without your teen minding that you're there.
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Volunteering is the best way to meet other parents and your athlete’s friends.
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You’re at the regatta anyway, and it makes the day go faster when your athlete is not on the water.
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You can be part of the success of one of the best rowing programs in the state.
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It’s an opportunity to try something new. Training is provided for all positions.
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No matter the job, you are ALWAYS excused in time to ensure you can watch your athlete race.
Why We Need Volunteers?
Regattas We Attend
For every regatta we attend, we must transport the kids, our boat trailer, and our equipment trailer, and establish a team site capable of feeding, hydrating, and sheltering 75+ athletes and coaches. The regattas we attend have similar volunteer needs, including:
Before We Leave:
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Team Dinners: Host a group of rowers the night before we leave for a regatta with a carb-loading team dinner.
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Advanced Food Prep: Prep home-cooked items, like banana/zucchini bread and our famous Ranger Bars, a favorite of the kids, and drop off before the regatta.
During the Regatta:
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Tent Crew: Drive the equipment trailer, set-up and teardown of team site.
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First Aid: Support athletes if needed; monitor first aid kit supplies
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Food Service: Prep and serve food, bring ice bags, wash dishes, pick up catering or shop for food items.
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Chaperones: Supervise athletes during downtime for overnight regattas.
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Photographer: Capture racing, dock and food tent fun!
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Parent Hospitality: Set up parent tent, organize parent meals and coffee.
Regattas We Host
We host two local regattas: Spring Sprints at FHC Gym and the Grand Rapids Invitational at Riverside Park. This means our kids get to sleep in their own beds before the race, and we have some extra volunteer needs in three main areas:
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Venue: Set-up and take-down of site equipment and/ or race course.
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Race Operations: Athlete registration and check-in, officials, first aid, timing, and on-water safety.
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Guest Services: Help/ info desk, announcing, concessions, admissions, door control, merch sales, raffle sales, parking and traffic control.
To learn more about these regattas, head over to our regatta site: www.rowgri.com
Community Events
The crew community is special, and there is always something going on. Parents can engage in the seasons when their rower is active in key community events, such as:
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Fall: Rally for Crew, Fall Kick-off, Community Tailgate, Homecoming Parade, Football Concessions, Row-a-thon, Dock-out, and Dads of Crew Game Night.
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Winter: Christmas Tree Recycling, Winter Kick-off, Moms of Crew Game Night, and the Auction.
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Spring: Spring Kick-off, Dock-in, Spring Break Training Trip, CROM, and the banquet.
How Do I Learn More and Sign Up?
Do you see any of the jobs above you’d like to have “dibs” on first? Have a truck to haul the equipment trailer? Want to be on the food prep team? Or drive a launch? Interested in Job Shadowing? Have handy skills to offer, such as first aid, marketing, accounting, or event planning?
Contact our Volunteer Coordinator to sign up! She’ll contact you before posting the SignUp Genius to see if you are interested in the job. If that job/date doesn’t work, no worries. By requesting “dibs” you are not committed.