National Program Volunteers

Each of our programs, regardless of location, will depend on 15 to 45 volunteers who will join FOCUS staff to give shape and content to the work with students. Members of each program's volunteer leadership team have a variety of roles, up front or behind the scenes, but all will work directly with students, especially as part of small groups for discussion and activities. Please note that volunteers at upper school programs must have completed at least their freshman year of college. Volunteers at middle school programs must have graduated high school and turn 18 years of age within the same year they are leading. Program volunteers can only be accepted onto a leadership team by contacting the Program Director.

Program Directors are listed with the programs they are directing along with contact information below.

Summer Program Contacts for Interested Volunteers

When contacting Richard Gwathmey, it is preferable to contact him by phone at 610-645-5354

Study Center Volunteers

The FOCUS Study Center on Martha’s Vineyard hosts FOCUS programs throughout the summer. At the Study Center, we need a steady flow of people who are interested in helping us do the work behind the scenes – the team we call Vineyard Staff. Generally, these volunteers are associated with FOCUS as college students, young adult alumni, parents, or faculty, but we are glad to welcome others.

Vineyard Staff most often serve as cooks (there are two experienced, professional kitchen staff), but we also need volunteers for maintenance, gardening, childcare, and life-guarding.

Volunteers for Vineyard Staff may come for just a few days to several weeks; new volunteers should come for at least a week. While parents interested in Vineyard Staff may want to come for particular programs, other volunteers should consider commitments that span program starting / ending dates.

While members of the Vineyard Staff are not directly involved in the student programs, they are vitally involved in a community of service. Generally, volunteers for Vineyard Staff work 5 to 6 hours a day along with a short meeting for planning and fellowship. There are good opportunities to observe or share in some of the program activities as well as to explore and enjoy the Vineyard. Housing for Vineyard Staff is generally in one of our two family cottages, but may be elsewhere at the Study Center.
There are a few modestly paid positions that call for longer commitments: the kitchen team leader, program administrators, and the head of maintenance.

If you are interested in learning more about volunteering on the Vineyard Staff or in one of the paid positions, please contact Woody Bowman at (508) 693-4824 or wbowman@infocus.org.

Area Volunteers

Each of FOCUS' nine areas depends on volunteers who work with students weekly at meetings and events during the school year. Area volunteers are trained by our staff and are an invaluable part of our community. If you are interested in volunteering in a FOCUS area near you, please contact the Area Director geographically closest to you.