Seeking volunteers! Upcoming SPARC Volunteer training: December 17th 5pm

Dear Friends,

We’re excited to announce the first volunteer training for SPARC 2025 is happening on Tuesday, December 17th at 5 PM at the City Wide Community Center (14 Canterbury Rd., Concord) hosted by Parks and Recreation. Many of you have been waiting for this next step, and we’re grateful for your patience and enthusiasm. Below is important information about the December 17th volunteer training as well as general information about SPARC 2025. Even if you can only commit to a session or two, your support will make a big difference!

IMPORTANT VOLUNTEER TRAINING INFO:

When: Tuesday, December 17th at 5 PM
Where: City Wide Community Center, 14 Canterbury Rd., Concord, NH
Hosted by: Parks & Recreation
Registration: Just show up!
What to Bring: A valid driver’s license (or other official form of identification) for the required, free background check
Training Duration: ~1 hour
Eligibility: Ages 16+ with experience and/or confidence assisting Parks & Rec staff with youth ages 6-18 in an unstructured setting (calling all parents, grandparents, coaches, educators, mentors, etc!)
Volunteer Shift Requirements: Sign up for as many volunteer shifts as works for your schedule!
Background Check: Parks and Recreation requires a background check for all volunteers and it must be repeated every year.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What if I volunteered last year do I need to attend a volunteer training and background check this year? Yes, you are required to repeat the Parks and Rec SPARC volunteer training and background check per Parks and Recreation policy.
What if I'm a volunteer coach (or similar) at Parks and Rec do I need to attend the volunteer training and repeat the background check? Yes, you are required to attend the Parks and Rec SPARC volunteer training and repeat the background check per Parks and Recreation policy.
What if I have a background check through the School District or other official organization? You are still required to fill out the paperwork for a free, mandatory background check through Parks and Recreation.
Can volunteers bring their own children? Yes! If your children are Concord/Penacook residents ages 6-18, they are welcome to participate. You must register your children at sign in.
What are the responsibilities of a volunteer? Volunteers assist Parks and Recreation staff with tasks like set up, clean up, and activity support. Importantly, volunteers create a warm, friendly, safe, and welcoming environment for youth. Volunteers are expected to show up 15 minutes before the session starts and to stay 15 minutes after the session ends. From playing board games and creating arts and crafts to passing out snacks or role modeling sportsmanship on the basketball court, there are plenty of fun ways to make a meaningful impact!

SPARC 2025 Program Schedule:

SPARC 2025 will run from January 4th through March 30th, 2025.

Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, January–March 2025
2:00–4:00 PM: Open to all youth ages 6-18 (children under 10 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian aged 16+).
4:15–5:30 PM: Teen SPARC for youth ages 10–15, no parent or guardian required.

The official Parks and Recreation SPARC 2025 webpage is here.

ABOUT SPARC

What is SPARC?

SPARC (Sports, Play, Arts, Recreation & CommUNITY Club) is a FREE Parks and Recreation program designed to provide Concord youth ages 6-18 with a safe space on winter weekends to learn, grow, and strengthen community bonds through play at the City Wide Community Center in Concord, NH. Activities include pick-up indoor soccer, basketball, arts & crafts, games, and more!

SPARC is a community driven program -- initiated and developed by the community group "Friends of SPARC" --- with the goal of fostering belonging and connection, especially for youth in our community who face racism and other barriers to inclusion. By offering a welcoming environment where all children can come together, SPARC seeks to celebrate diversity, build unity, and create lasting friendships.

Volunteer with SPARC and Make a Difference!

Volunteers are essential to the SPARC program, helping create a warm, welcoming environment where youth can connect and thrive. Volunteers assist Parks and Recreation staff with tasks like setup, cleanup, and activity support, all while fostering a sense of belonging and fun. From playing board games and creating arts and crafts to passing out snacks or joining a pickup basketball game, volunteers have plenty of opportunities to make a meaningful impact. Most importantly, they help youth form connections and embrace the essential "work of childhood"—play! Parks and Recreation is looking for up to two volunteers per session, and even a small commitment can make a big difference.

Already mentoring youth?

Bring your mentee(s) to SPARC to connect in a group environment beyond traditional one-on-one mentoring while supporting their growth in a fun, inclusive setting.

Connect

Let’s make winter weekends special for Concord’s youth! For more information, check out our website here or contact Friends of SPARC at friendsofsparc@gmail.com. Please join the Friends of SPARC mailing list for occasional updates and upcoming events related to SPARC!

Gratefully,

Friends of SPARC