Volunteer

Are you Ready to Make a Difference?

We are really excited that you are interested in volunteering! The Meramec Adventure Learning Ranch is always looking for energetic people who can be positive role models for the youth we serve. It is a way to make a positive influence on your community and literally change the lives of many youth in the process. There are many different options to get you plugged into the work we do here and volunteers are always needed.

Direct Care:

We love to have volunteers from the community go through programs or parts of programs alongside the kids.  It is very important for children with histories of abuse and neglect or emotional and behavioral challenges to learn that there are adults in the world who are caring and trustworthy. By volunteering at the Meramec Adventure Learning Ranch to spend time with the children as they participate in the programs here, you are helping these children learn this valuable lesson and becoming a positive influence on their lives. Come out for a few hours, a day, or even be part of our longer trekking programs. We partner volunteers up with a cottage of youth, their staff, and their treatment team who are journeying through the therapeutic adventure programs. We encourage volunteers to participate in the activities alongside the kids and in doing so, build relationships that foster positive change. The staff are experts at their jobs and handle the details of each part of the day, allowing volunteers to take on a big-brother/sister or mentoring role and get to know the youth, encourage them, and have some fun.  All individuals who wish to volunteer to work with youth must complete a volunteer application and background screening. All volunteers working with the youth we serve must be 18 years of age or older.

Activity Facilitation:

The ranch serves thousands of youth each year and we are always looking for responsible, charismatic people interested in becoming trained to lead/facilitate activities (Team Development Course, High Challenge Course, Lake activities, etc.). The ranch offers trainings throughout the year to gain competency in the hard and soft skills for different events. The training is free, and (as long as you pass...) then you have the option of being added to our group of contract staff. Anytime we need additional staff in order to facilitate events, we call these staff and, if available, they are paid a daily rate to help facilitate the event. Also, if you have a unique skill of your own that you think might be interesting for youth to see and learn, give us a call. We are always excited to expand the horizons of the youth we serve in any safe and productive way available. All individuals who wish to volunteer with children must complete a volunteer application and background screening. All volunteers working with the youth we serve must be 18 years of age or older.

There is always a lot of work around the ranch. Individuals and groups who are looking to tackle some work projects are always appreciated. Your service directly affects countless lives. Call us if you are interested, and we will determine a project that is right for you. Some examples of projects are trail-building, wood cutting and construction projects.

Your willingness to serve allows more young men and women to be reached by the programs offered here at the Meramec Adventure Learning Ranch. If any of these opportunities look like a fit for you, or if you have another idea of how you would like to help, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .