Real World Edge Opportunities

Possible Diversity or Real World Edge Hours

Volunteers are needed for the Upper Peninsula Down Syndrome Association's Family Weekend at Bay Cliff Health Camp on Saturday, May 18.  For more information, please contact Lourie Schuenke at updownsydrome@gmail.com. 

There is an exciting upcoming opportunity sponsored by the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve on Saturday, May 18.  This event has a broad range of interests for anyone interested in being outdoors, collecting bugs, learning about new spots off the beaten track for hiking, photography, and fishing, and for those who like to volunteer for local environmental activities. 

The Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve will be hosting a presentation on Macro-Invertebrates for a Volunteer Monitoring Program on the Salmon-Trout River.  The presentation is focused on training volunteers to go out into the field to collect macro-invertebrates, learn about river ecology, and determine how clean the waterway is.  This training opportunity is open to everyone of all ages who is interested in the outdoors and learning ways they can become involved to preserve our watersheds.  After the presentation we will head to the Yellow Dog River for lunch.  The Yellow Dog Watershed will provide lunch for all those who RSVP in advance.  After lunch we will get in the water for hands-on bug collecting, learning the river habitats and then the most exciting part of sorting and identifying the bugs! 

The presentation will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the gym at the Powell Township School in Big Bay, and run to around 3:00 p.m.  All interested persons are asked to RSVP in advance so we know how many lunches we will need.  This is a fun training and all who participate will be given the opportunity to sign up and go out on one or more of 8 sites on the Salmon-Trout River that we will be collecting data from for years to come. 

If you would like to participate in the event please bring drinking water, extra warm clothes, rain gear, and either waders or knee high rubber boots, if you have them.  Waders are preferred since we will be walking through the river and some areas will rise over knee high boots. 

Please contact Christy Budnick (christy@yellowdogwatershed.org or 906-345-9223) to RSVP or with any questions you may have, and you are more than welcome to bring friends!!!

Possible Diversity - International or Real World Edge Hours

This summer there is a 5-week Irish studies Dublin program for undergraduates that is open to students at Northern Michigan University.   The program is a 6-credit hour program with students choosing film, history and literature.  You will have home stays in Dublin/Donegal.  For more information, check out this link (http://classport.wix.com/coupa) or else contact Susan Morgan (smorgan@nmu.edu) in the International Programs Office. 

Possible Citizenship or Real World Edge Hours

The Mather Nursing Center, 435 Stoneville Road in Ishpeming, is looking for volunteers to assist with bingo or an art student to help with art (painting/sketching group).  It can be ongoing or a one-time event.  They are also looking for volunteers to help with "theme parties."  If you are interested in helping with the art, we will provide the supplies (sponge painting, sketching, working with construction paper, etc.).  Please contact the activity director, Pierre Ogea, at 906-485-1073. 

Do you like building things?  If so, we have a great opportunity for you!  Negaunee's Miners Park (across from the Eastwood Nursing Home) is building a park/garden next spring and is interested in making 12 x 12 boxes over the winter for planting in June.  If you are interested, please contact Marybeth Kurtz, Midtown Bakery & Cafe, at 906-475-0064 or mkurtz1962@gmail.com.

Possible Citizenship, Leadership, or Real World Edge Hours

Teaching Family Homes, a 31-year-old non-profit agency, is looking for students to tutor high school students who come from abused and neglected homes.  Tutors are needed Monday through Friday from 4:45-6:00 p.m. at 1000 Silver Creek Road (at the very end of Silver Creek Road).  If you are interested, please contact Rich Rossway at 906-360-6570 (preferred) or 906-249-5437.

Possible Citizenship or Real World Edge Hours

Do you have good computer skills and like to ski?  If so, then check out this great opportunity with the US Ski Hall of Fame located at  610 Palms Avenue (US Hwy 41 W) in Ishpeming.  We have a new donor program that needs updating.  You would be working through a database called Donor Perfect to search for duplicate names and incorrectly inputted information.  You can begin immediately and proceed throughout the balance of the school year preferably any time Monday through Friday.  If you are interested, please contact Tom West, CEO, at 906-485-6323.  We are a small staff and will be available to work directly with you.  If you like to ski, we can arrange special skiing privileges.

Possible Leadership and Real World Edge Hours

The YMCA is looking for two leaders to help us with some youth sports this summer.  We are looking for leaders who want to build there leadership skills through teaching and coaching sports.  The sports we are offering this summer are lacrosse, flag football, disc golf, basketball, soccer, tball, tennis, karate, and gymnastics.  Most programs will run Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  Leaders will be working with a YMCA coach and basically work as an assistant coach. 

This is a unique opportunity for students to learn and develop their teaching and leadership skills.  Become more competent as an instructor and work with youth from all ages and demographics in the U.P.

For more information, please contact John Leech at jleech@ymcamqt.org.  

Possible Citizenship, Leadership, or Real World Edge Hours

The YMCA of Marquette County is looking for enthusiastic volunteers with a swimming background to coach, teach, and mentor youth ages 6-12 for the YMCA Killer Whales in the pool.  The team begins Monday, October 1 and runs through March.  Practices are evenings Monday through Friday, usually beginning at 5:30 p.m. and running 1 to 1 1/2 hours, at the YMCA pool, NMU's PEIF pool, and sometimes at Marquette Senior High School's pool.  We'd like to have 2-3 volunteers to be able to work 1-2 days per week with our youngest athletes.  Volunteers will help improve swimming skills and building confidence in young athletes who are just starting this sport.  Much of the "practice" involves teaching through games and water play.  A background as a competitive swimmer or swim instructor is preferred.  If you are interested, please contact Matthew Williams, Director of Competitive Swimming at the YMCA at 906-869-5048 or mwilliams@ymcamqt.org.

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