Tomorrow’s Stewards: Engaging Youth with Environmental Volunteerism

Environmental volunteers are of great value to their host organizations, the environment, the economy, and civil society. The Friends of Acadia (FOA) Drop-In Stewardship Volunteer Program hosts volunteers who complete an assortment of tasks in Acadia National Park. However, this program has no regular youth volunteers. Engaging youth volunteers is critical for program effectiveness, civic engagement, generativity, and increasing personal development. Drawing on survey data collected from FOA volunteers and College of the Atlantic students, this paper analyzes volunteer motivations and interests, and barriers to participation. I conclude with suggestions for how FOA can recruit more youth volunteers