Staffing Young Friends Gatherings

At the core of the Young Friends program are the adult staff that hold the space with love and care so teens can feel safe to show up authentically. In Young Friends, we call our staffers Resource People, or "RPs." RPs are grounded, whimsical, fabulous volunteer youth workers of a wide range of ages who show up to retreats because they truly love hanging out with teens and accompanying them in their spiritual growth. Every RP has a firm belief in the value of each Young Friend and in the transformative power of spiritual community. We have a core group of staff that rotate through retreats and other gatherings so that no team is exactly the same, but staffers serve frequently enough to build strong relationships with youth that last for years, even after graduation. Everyone who becomes an RP is first background checked and interviewed to ensure that they are safe to work with youth and ready to help create a quality community experience for all Young Friends (see child safety and background check policy below).

Youth live in a complicated and confusing time and need safe spaces to play, and connect with their peers and adults who care deeply about their well being. I RP because I want our youth to feel valued, heard and empowered. It gives me hope nurturing these teens and watching them grow more confident.

Interested in staffing Young Friends retreats?

We are always looking to add enthusiastic, caring, and spiritually grounded youth workers to our community of Resource People. RPs should be at least four years out of high school, have some experience working with youth, and feel called to co-create a loving and accepting space for teens within the Quaker community. To learn more about what it takes to serve as an RP, scroll down.