Intergenerational Program Delivery System: Recruiting and Training Intergenerational Instructor Teams in Camp Fire

摘要

Camp Fire's Intergenerational program Delivery System Project, which focused on the development of a volunteer program delivery system that would be responsive to the needs of both older and teenage volunteers and to the unique problems involved when these two groups are brought together in a working relationship, is discussed. The project was conducted through five demonstration sites in diverse communities across the country. Each site was responsible for recruiting, training, supervising, and recognizing the intergenerational teams. A total of 61 older adults and 78 teenagers were recruited by the five sites during a 9-month period of actual operations. These volunteers served 1,188 children and 2,050 hours of their time. In addition, a survey was conducted among 235 adults, 60 years of age or older, to determine the factors influencing their choice of volunteer activities. Recruitment of volunteers, specifically, of the older volunteers, required more attention and staff time than anticipated. Overall, one older adult was recruited for every 67 contacts through group or individual presentations. Recruitment of teenage volunteers was not as problematic, with one teenager being recruited for every 13 direct contacts. The following factors influence the potential success of a multi-generational programs, such as demonstrated in this project: amount of volunteer time expected, availability of transportation, feasibility of scheduling around the lifestyles of each particular group, building of team relationships, the tasks the volunteers are asked to do, and attitudes towards children and education.