Friendship Foundation

The Friendship Foundation supports parents and families who have children and young adults with special needs by providing a safe, accepting and inclusive environment where they can enjoy sports, art, music and many other social programs with their peers. Our friendly staff and helpful volunteers create a fun experience for all. It is our belief that every person is precious and capable of love, connection and friendship. https://www.friendshipfoundation.com/

Please register below and then click the volunteer waiver link to complete your registration by filling out the volunteer release form.

Instructions for Rosecrans Manhattan Beach Ocean Therapy Sessions

Volunteers will meet on the beach at the JMMF tents near the Rosecrans Street Lifeguard Tower.

Upon signing in, Volunteers will help to gather the boards, and other necessary gear to the beach from the parking lot.

Volunteers to please bring a change of clothes (if planning to be in the water), towel, and a good attitude.

JMMF will have a water station, snacks, and sunscreen at the tent and lunch will be provided, however if there are nutritional requirements please bring your food with you.

Volunteers play an important role in making our Ocean Therapy sessions a success, please choose one of the following roles that best suit your abilities.

Water Safety

This role helps to assist the Surf Instructor and the participant by retrieving boards in the water, helping to get through the waves and current, and acting as the in water ‘buddy’ to the participant to ensure safe instruction.
Requirements: Must be able to ocean swim. The volunteer will be in the water during instruction. Knowledge of how to properly handle a surfboard in waves is helpful.

Planning: Wear a bathing suit, please bring a wetsuit if you have one. Bring a towel and change of clothes.

Surf Instruction

This role provides instruction for how to surf and will work with one or two participants.
Requirements: Must have experience in surf instruction and gone through JMMF training. Must be CPR certified.

Planning: Bring a wetsuit, a towel and change of clothes. Personal surfboard is optional and encouraged!

Requirements: Check in with the Event Manager for instructions and direction.

Please designate the station you can work when you sign up here.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE VOLUNTEER WAIVER

SCHEDULE:

8:30am – 12:45pm
8:30 AM Beach Set up
9:00 AM Volunteers Arrive
9:15 AM Volunteer Meeting
9:30 AM Participants Arrive/ Meet on beach at the JMMF tents just north of the Rosecrans Lifeguard Tower
9:45 AM Wetsuits selected at JMMF van and put on
10:00 AM Each participant is assigned their ‘team’ (Instructor and Water Safety) and then circle up on beach
10:15 AM
— Talking Circle, Safety Talk, Stretch —
10:45 AM  Land Surf Lesson
11:00 AM Ocean Therapy (surf, boogie board, swim, float, body surf) Take breaks when needed
NOON Gather and return equipment, remove wetsuits and rashguards/change
12:15 PM Closing Circle – Lunch served
12:45 PM Clean up and break down Participants and volunteers say goodbye -no trash left behind

Questions? Please email Volunteer@JimmyMillerFoundation.org