Close out the Summer by Giving Back: 2023 Volunteer Opportunities with Live Water Foundation

There’s just two months left in our summer programming schedule and we need your help to make it possible! So many veterans and historically underserved youth rely on our programs to get them on the water and connected with others in their communities. For a look into what makes these programs so impactful, read this testimony from a wounded military veteran and Wai Koa participant named Gaby, or check out this blog that expands on the importance of Junior Wai Koa for marginalized youth living in Annapolis. 

Live Water Foundation is 100% volunteer backed—all our proceeds from fundraising, donations, and grants goes into fueling our programs, which are facilitated largely by our board members (who also volunteer their time). We hate canceling program sessions due to a lack of volunteers, but it does happen. We’d love your help in preventing any further cancellations!

Why volunteer? Few things in this world feel better than contributing to a bigger purpose. It’s the icing on the cake of a life well lived and a great way to sustain a positive outlook while meeting other people who share your values. There’s something really special about giving back to your own little corner of the world and seeing your actions have a positive impact on others. Not to mention volunteering is a wonderful boost to any résumé  or college application.

We hope you’ll consider closing out the summer by hanging out with us and our amazing program participants. Listed below are the remainder of the dates we have in need of helping hands. See you on the water!

Summer Volunteer Opportunities:

August 7: Junior Wai Koa – Stanton Girls @ Capital SUP QWP from 1:15pm – 3:15pm*
August 14: Junior Wai Koa – Stanton Girls  @ Capital SUP QWP from 1:15pm – 3:15pm*
August 17: Wai Koa – Walter Reed  @ Capital SUP QWP from 10:45am – 12:15pm
August 19: Wai Koa – Team RWB @ Capital SUP QWP from 7:45am – 10:15am
August 21: Junior Wai Koa – Stanton Girls @ Capital SUP QWP from 1:15pm – 3:15pm*
August 26: Wai Koa – Wounded Warrior Project (Alumni Group) @ Marshy Point Nature Center from 8:45am – 10:15am
August 31: Wai Koa – Walter Reed @ Capital SUP QWP from 10:45am – 12:15pm
September 16: Wai Koa – Team RWB  @ Capital SUP QWP from 7:45am – 10:15am
September 23: Wai Koa – Wounded Warrior Project (Alumni Group) @ Capital SUP QWP from 7:45am – 10:15am
September 30: Wai Koa – Wounded Warrior Project (Alumni Group) @ Capital SUP QWP from 8:45am – 10:15am

 *A note for Junior Wai Koa volunteers: Since LWF partnered with Annapolis Police Department in 2022 to teach swim skills to underserved youth, background checks for Junior Wai Koa became essential. LWF uses Anne Arundel County’s Volunteer Background Check program, which costs $7 per individual. The background check ensures individuals interacting with minors  undergo a criminal history records check. While no screening process can grant absolute assurances, knowing an individual’s criminal background can provide greater certainty that an individual with a history of inappropriate behavior will not have access to the youth served by LWF.

Additionally, vendors providing services for LWF’s Junior Wai Koa programs must be a licensed youth camp in the state of Maryland. The youth camps are certified by the Maryland Department of Health, which requires a criminal background check for employees.