Join us as a Best Day Volunteer
Help create shakas and smiles!
There are so many reasons why volunteering with Best Day Foundation can be a rewarding experience. You will participate in exciting activities and make memories that will last a lifetime. By volunteering with Best Day Foundation, you’ll have the opportunity to directly impact the lives of children and families with special needs. You’ll have the chance to learn new skills, meet new people, and develop a greater sense of empathy and compassion. Click here to register.
No experience or special skills required! We have fun positions for everyone both in and out of the water.
VOLUNTEER ROLES
Beach Buddies – This is the position our participants never forget! As a Beach Buddy you will be paired with one of our kids with special needs. The two of you will experience the day together. You and your buddy will navigate the event and cheer each other on.
This is one of the favorite volunteer positions – you won’t believe what an impact this may have on you!
Learn more about being a Beach Buddy by watching this video.
Water Teams – Safety is our number one priority. Not everyone can serve on the water team. Please understand we have a process for new water team volunteers. We are always looking for experienced surfers, body boarders or water sports experts. We typically offer, tandem surfing, body boarding, kayaking and SUP’s.
Administration/Event Support – There are so many other ways you can help make an event successful and memorable. Our support crew plays a vital role in the event’s success. The event support crew helps with registration, awards preparation, food service and public outreach.
WHAT TO EXPECT
You will feel like part of the team from the moment you check in. We will introduce you to those who have been volunteers before to show you the ropes. We have a have a group overview, training and discussion about the day.
Our day starts with sign in and set up at 8:00 a.m. We typically wrap up packing up by approximately 2:00 p.m.
As a volunteer we will provide you with a Best Day Team Surfer T-shirt, snacks, lunch and most of all big smiles, laughs and maybe even some tears from touching moments.
Typical Beach Event Schedule
8:00 a.m. Volunteers check in and venue set up.
8:30 a.m. Volunteer meetings and training.
9:00 a.m. Participants check-in opens and are matched with their volunteer Beach Buddy.
9:30 a.m. Volunteers & Participants gather together on the beach for welcome and warm up exercises.
9:45 a.m. Beach Activities Begin!
12:00 p.m. Awards ceremony & group photo
12:30 p.m. Group lunch for everyone
1:00 p.m. Participants are free to leave.
1:00 p.m. Volunteers are required to take down, clean up and pack up.
2:00 p.m. Everyone is free to leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
At the heart of our program is the role of the Beach Buddy. One or two Beach Buddies will be paired with a child on the day of the event and stay with this child throughout the entirety of the day. Together the Beach Buddy and child team will go through the activities and while the participant is in the water, the Buddy will be cheering from the shoreline. Other volunteers will work on the water team. To be on the water team, you must be an experienced surfer or lifeguard and must be totally comfortable in the water. You will be responsible for taking the children safely through the days’ water events. Other volunteer roles can include keeping order at an activity venue, serving lunch, and selling Best Day merchandise. All categories of volunteers will work together to create an awesome day with many smiles!
Log in ato Registration – Best Day Foundation
Click the link “view or edit” next to your name under Contact Details page and then at the bottom of that page under Attendance History click the appropriate link to the left of the event.
Check out our “How To” videos at https://bestdayfoundation.org/registration/#your-information/how-to-videos for details.
We would love to have more help behind the scenes! Please let us know how you would like to get more involved by sending us an email at hello@bestdayfoudation.org.
If you want to stay in the loop, please create an account in our registration system and follow us on social media on Facebook and Instagram!
Unfortunately, donated lunches may not meet specific dietary needs. If you or your child has restrictions, please pack a lunch. Typical lunches include pizza.
While your buddy participates in activities like kayaking or catching waves, you’ll be cheering from the shoreline. You’ll actively participate with your buddy when they’re playing on the beach.
You should bring sunscreen, a towel, and a change of clothes, considering that you might get wet, sweaty and sandy. Water, snacks, and lunch will be provided for you, but feel free to bring anything else you’d like to drink or eat.
Check the weather before the event and wear what you find most comfortable. You will receive a Best Day Team t-shirt to change into at check-in. Ideally, wear layers, as the temperature might change from chilly to warm. Footwear on the beach may range from sneakers to sandals or nothing.
Volunteers should stay for the entirety of the event to maximize their ability to contribute to the success of the event.
Even if you are uncertain about your attendance, we recommend creating an account in our registration system in advance. Registering on the beach can be challenging and may slow down our volunteer check-in process. Creating an account beforehand ensures a smoother experience for you and helps us streamline the check-in process. Thank you for your understanding.
We love having large groups join us – what a great way to enjoy each other’s company while also giving back! It would be helpful for you to inform us in advance if you plan on bringing more than fifteen people by emailing us at hello@bestdayfoundation.org. Please ensure that every volunteer has signed up in advance using our online registration form.
While we’re always eager to welcome capable surfers to join our water team, it’s important to note that not everyone may be able to volunteer in the water. If you believe you have both the skills and fitness level required, please express your interest at the team meeting at the beginning of the event. While we strive to accommodate preferences, there might be instances where a volunteer, despite wanting to serve on the water team, could be asked to assist in other areas during the event. We appreciate your flexibility and enthusiasm!
Certainly! We offer various volunteer roles. If you prefer not to be a Beach Buddy, you can handle volunteer and participant registration, maintain order at an activity venue, conduct interviews with volunteers, participants, and parents, prepare and serve lunch, or undertake any other task that aligns with your interests.
Absolutely! Many volunteers, including first-timers, benefit from the support of experienced volunteers and administrators who are more than happy to answer any questions.
At Best Day Foundation, we always appreciate more help! Special skills we seek may vary, but we consistently need photographers, fundraisers, grant writers, webmasters, marketing experts, and communication specialists. If you have other skills that might benefit Best Day Foundation, please contact hello@bestdayfoundation.org
Our minimum age to volunteer without parental supervision is sixteen. We welcome younger children to volunteer alongside their parents, as long as these younger children are mature enough to contribute to the creation of an awesome experience for our participants without detracting from their parents’ ability to focus on their own volunteer roles.
To register as a volunteer, please create an account in our registration system. Registration is mandatory for both volunteers and participants and should be completed in advance of our events. https://bestdayfoundation.org/registration/#get-started/