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Kitchen Volunteer FAQs

  • What kind of work will I be doing?

  • You will be working along side our staff to create simple and delicious meals for students. You can expect to be doing different kitchen tasks including baking and other food prep. You will also be working with a team to wash dishes and keep the dining hall clean and sanitary. We will work hard together to serve great food, but we will also have a lot of fun.

  • Why is volunteering important?

  • We could not serve and care for students with excellence if not for our wonderful volunteers. It is absolutely essential, so thank you in advance.

  • Who will I be working alongside of?

  • Besides the other kitchen volunteers, you will be working with our Food Services Staff: Liz Moore (Manager), Brenda Cruz (Head Cook), and two Vineyard Staff interns.

  • What will my schedule be?

  • Your schedule will be shift oriented, usually around six hours depending on the number of volunteers. You will be responsible for either a morning shift lasting from breakfast through the service of lunch or an evening shift lasting from the end of lunch through the service of dinner and clean-up. There will also be times of community and fun to engage with the programs and the island.

  • Is there transportation provided?

  • Once you are on the Martha’s Vineyard you will have a limited access to a few vehicles owned by FOCUS. The reason you only have a limited access is because sometimes all of the vehicles are needed to transport students. If you would like to bring a vehicle over on the ferry there will be room in our parking lot but you will need to make a reservation for the ferry and there is a fee.

  • Can I volunteer while my child is at a program?

  • We would love to have you here volunteering while your child is on a program. In our experience it is also very important to give them the space to fully engage in the program.

  • What is the housing for volunteers?

  • The housing for volunteers will typically be a 4-bedroom cottage on the camp property. If you are volunteering as an individual there is a good chance that you will be sharing a room with another volunteer from your team.

  • What activities does the Vineyard offer?

  • The property sits on gorgeous Uncle Seth’s Pond, which is always accessible. Lambert’s Cove Beach is only a short walk or bike ride away as well. There are a number of shopping and dining options in the towns around the island that we would love for you to experience. Martha’s Vineyard also offers a vast array of outdoor hiking and biking trails.

  • Are there certain things I need to bring?

  • For work in the kitchen we recommend comfortable clothes and shoes. Shoes are required to be close-toed and if you have long hair, you need to be able to pull it back or bring a hat to wear while you are working.

  • What are the best ways to get to the Vineyard?

  • There are many different ways to get to the Vineyard. The most common, and only ferry that transports vehicles, is the Steamship Authority out of Woods Hole, MA. There are also other “fast ferries” from MA, RI, CT, and NY. The Martha’s Vineyard airport also is very active with Jet Blue, Delta, US Air, and Cape Air all offering flights. All we ask is that when you are passing along information to us that you be as specific as you can. This is one of the times where it never hurts to over communicate.

  • Does the program cost anything for me to volunteer?

  • The only charge is $50 to cover the cost of the background check that we have to perform on all volunteers that will be around our students.