Volunteer opportunities for teens at Walt Disney World

Teenagers who would like to earn community service hours before the end of the school year still can register to volunteer at the 2016 Special Olympics Florida State Summer Games on May 20 and 21 at ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World.

Disney volunteers, also known as Sports Enthusiasts, can work at events held at the facility or at runDisney races held on Disney World property. They must be at least 14 to volunteer and those younger than 15 must be accompanied by an adult. All minors must have a parent or guardian’s permission and a signed waiver.

For the 2016 Special Olympics Florida State Summer Games, volunteers are needed to help with Opening Ceremonies, Healthy Athletes, Meals Assistant, Cycling, Team Soccer, Soccer Skills, Tennis Skills, Track and Field and more. Volunteer shifts are typically assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

The only event on the summer calendar for Sports Enthusiasts is AAU National Club Championships for Track and Field, which takes place July 9 to 16. Volunteer positions will be available for start/finish line, field events, clerk’s tent and awards tent. Registration has not opened yet but is expected to soon, so keep an eye on this website if you are interested.

For runDisney races, volunteers may work at the Health & Fitness Expo or kid races located at ESPN Wide World of Sports or at the start/finish line or along the course of races that go through the parks at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The next runDisney event in Orlando is the Walt Disney World Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, which includes the half marathon, a new 10K, a 5K and kid races. All events take place Nov. 3 to 6. Registration for volunteers opens several months in advance, but it is not available yet.

Walt Disney World recognizes that even though its Sports Enthusiasts are volunteering for their own personal reasons, they could not host the races without the volunteers’ help. As such, volunteers are given “appreciation,” for their time. Each person receives a snack and one commemorative piece of apparel for each volunteer shift.

In addition, volunteers are eligible to earn points toward a complimentary theme-park ticket. Each hour of service completed is equal to one point, and it takes 16 points to earn a day’s admission to Walt Disney World. Earned tickets are mailed within 60 days of reaching 16 points.

To get started, you must register through Active.com. You have the option to access the information as a guest or to create an account, which streamlines future registrations.

Volunteers will receive confirmation in the mail of the shifts for which they have been scheduled about a month prior to the event. The mailing also will include further information on parking, directions, and other useful information.

Questions? Call the Sports Enthusiast Information Line at 407-938-3880, or email [email protected].

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