The Incredible Exchange, an area youth program arranged by the St. Louis County Board of Commissioners, is once again underway. The exchange is a program designed to teach youths, ages 12 to 15, about the joys of volunteerism. It does so by providing them with opportunities to serve their communities in ways they might not otherwise consider. It also gives them a little reward, in the form of certificates for area attractions or businesses, for their efforts.
Carol Dinius, the program coordinator, estimates that up to 200 youths will participate in this year's summer session, serving 45 volunteer sites. Another 30 youths will participate during the winter. She can be reached at 733-2876 for more information.
The youths begin the program with an orientation session; one of which was this past Tuesday evening at Central High School. At the orientation they assemble to learn how the exchange program works and to find out if they can get into their hoped for assignments. For many, orientation proves the most difficult part of the program, as they must wait to find out if they got their first choice for where they want to serve.
The program gains its name from the basic concept of how it works. As spelled out on its Web site, TheIncredibleExchange.org, "participants volunteer at 'exchange sites' such as community centers, nursing homes and hospitals." In turn, by volunteering for 25 to 50 hours, through the course of the summer, they "accrue exchange credits equal to the number of hours they have volunteered." These credits can then be redeemed for such goodies as a season ski pass at Spirit Mountain, dance lessons, a season golf pass or horseback riding lessons. So far, ski passes have been the big favorite among youths, but an increasing number find they can take private music lessons or make other arrangements.
This year the Humane Society's Animal Allies was the first exchange site to fill up. It is easy to see why. According to the exchange's catalog, the lucky youths who get to work there will be "walking adoption dogs, playing with puppies, holding, brushing and socializing adoption cats." Other sites which filled up quickly revolved around young children and outdoor activities.
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All the area hospitals, and numerous nursing homes, asked for and will receive a host of young workers who will give time to those in need. Other beneficiaries of the program range from Proctor Public Access TV's Trac 7, the Tweed Museum of Art and the Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad.
While most children will spend their summer vacations running and playing, often oblivious of the world around them, the Incredible Exchange youths will gain valuable life experience, and hopefully develop a sense of community responsibility they will nurture for the rest of their lives.
A couple of years ago my oldest son completed his first 50 hours of service at the North Shore Scenic Railroad. In exchange, he was able to redeem his credits for several free flying lessons. He had so much fun, he volunteered the next year as well. Better still, after two years in the program he was asked to come on staff as a seasonal employee.
Each year the program tends to quickly fill up, and each year youths learn positive lessons in how serving others is one of the best ways to earn personal satisfaction. The exchange certificates may initially lead youth to participate, but the knowledge of their accomplishment, and the thanks received from those they help, are the rewards that are best appreciated in the end.
Russ Young, Christian, free-lance writer and a former pastor, may be reached at RussYoung@thelifeline.net .
