On This Page: u How to Apply  u Process  u Training  u Activities

Thank you for your interest! Volunteers go through an easy, but thorough, screening process administered free-of-charge by the Agency. RBBBS welcomes all generations of volunteers age 16 and older, of all ethnic backgrounds, single and married, to apply.

How to Apply
u Start by reading these guidelines.

u Open the Volunteer Application. It is a Word file.

u Save the file; complete it and save it again.

u When complete, email it to crystalpeterson@rbbbs.vacoxmail.com or print it and mail it, fax it or drop it off.

Process
u The Agency reviews your Volunteer Application.

u The Agency conducts reference and background checks.

u You will receive an Orientation and Personal Interview.

u You will be contacted about your acceptance into the program.

u You will be matched with a child based on compatibility factors, including preferences, shared Interests, personalities, background, your strengths and the needs of the child.

Training
Rappahannock Big Brothers Big Sisters requires each volunteer to complete a basic three-hour training program. In some specialized programs, like Mentoring Children of Prisoners, additional training may be required.

Activities
Volunteers in the Community-Based Program spend 2- 4 hours per week of focused, one-on-one time with their Little Brother or Little Sister for at least a year, often more. (Time amounts to about an outing a week.) Spending time both at the volunteer's home and out in the community is encouraged.

In Campus Pals, University of Mary Washington volunteers spend three hours on campus or in the community with a child.

In Bigs in Schools, volunteers spend one hour a week in a local school with their Littles.

In Bigs Plus, mentors in the Bigs in Schools program can expand their involvement (with a little additional screening) to occasionally pick up their Littles to go on outings in the community, on a flexible schedule. This program is an effective and enjoyable way for Bigs in Schools matches to meet at school, with the added benefit of broadening their activities outside of school, but without the same requirements of our Community-Based Program.

In Mentoring Children of Prisoners, each volunteer is matched with a child who has an incarcerated parent. This is primarily a comunity-based program. However, some matches will meet in local schools and some will meet as Bigs Plus matches.

In Sports Buddies, Bigs and Littles concentrate their activities on sports and physical fitness, including working out, talking about healthy lifestyle and nutrition, spending time outdoors, playing sports, and attending sporting events.