Our leadership-development program prepares collegiate and high school student-athletes to support delivery of The Appleseed Program — learning to teach, mentor, and lead through meaningful community service.
Appleseed expands access to lacrosse. Cultivate develops the people who help deliver that education, with learning goals of their own: planning sessions, communicating inclusively, teaching younger players, reflecting on experience, and taking on increasing responsibility under director guidance. Collegiate volunteers support Appleseed from the beginning, alongside the development of both leadership pathways.
Collegiate Volunteers & Internships
College volunteers are part of the plan from startup, supporting the director's school professional development and after-school community work. Structured internships will develop around mentoring, practical teaching experience, and increasing responsibility. Prior participation in the high school pathway is not required.
Our goal is to develop a supported collegiate internship pathway, beginning with volunteer opportunities and growing toward the goal of paid roles for multi-year participants as funding allows.
High school student-athletes teach, mentor, and support younger players in their local after-school community lacrosse programs. A multi-year service pathway combines the history of the game, child development, coaching fundamentals, and community stewardship.
With preparation and guidance, students work toward planning small-group instruction, reflecting on their service, and mentoring those who follow. This pathway has its own learning goals; it is not a prerequisite for collegiate volunteering or internships.
The high school pathway is designed for students applying or being nominated as freshmen or sophomores. Preparation begins with history and teaching fundamentals before service with a local recreational youth lacrosse program.
2. Serve
The high school pathway calls for verified service each year. On-field lacrosse service hours are completed solely with the participant's local recreational youth lacrosse program — coaching, assisting, or mentoring younger players. The current high school framework also includes off-field community service outside lacrosse, verified through our system. A portion of on-field lacrosse service must be completed during the spring season to keep participants connected to the game's rhythm.
3. Lead
As their experience grows, high school participants work toward designing small-group instruction, mentoring incoming students, and completing a capstone service or education project. Reflection connects practical experience to their development as teachers and community leaders.
Mentorship is the work: participants serve with the youth program in their own community, week after week, alongside the coaches already there and the support of the See It Grow team.
Beyond competition
Participants are measured by what they teach, who they help, and how they carry themselves — not by what they win.
Relationships with younger players, their families, and their coaches are the point of the pathway. Growth is documented through verified service, written reflection, and supervisor confirmation rather than results on a scoreboard.
High school training alongside service
The current high school framework calls for four online training sessions annually. This is a high school expectation, not a requirement for the collegiate pathway. Participants begin with an initial orientation and foundational preparation before they are placed with a youth team. The remaining sessions continue through the spring season while volunteers are actively serving with their youth teams. The curriculum in development combines age-appropriate drill and technique instruction with child development, sport psychology, communication, motivation, and responsible mentorship. This timing lets participants apply concepts immediately, reflect on real coaching situations, and receive ongoing guidance as they serve.
High school service framework & scholarship aspirations
These existing expectations belong to the high school pathway in development, not the collegiate pathway. Service is tracked by category and verified by a supervisor. Participants submit reflections, supervisors confirm the work, and staff review evidence before hours are approved.
•Complete the required series of four online training sessions annually, beginning with orientation before placement and continuing through the spring season
•Pass a background check and abuse-prevention screening before placement with a youth program
•15 hours of on-field service to the local lacrosse program each year, with at least 10 in the spring season
•15 hours of off-field community service each year, verified through our system
•Spring-season lacrosse service to stay connected to the field
•Annual totals reviewed each year for progression and good standing
•Cumulative multi-year service record for high school pathway completion
•Maintain a 3.0 GPA, verified through our system
The high school framework includes an education-scholarship aspiration tied to service, academic standing, and completion of program expectations. Scholarship availability is not confirmed, and participation does not guarantee an award. The proposed scholarship application includes a reflective capstone project that asks participants to look back on what they learned, how they grew, and how they hope to keep serving young people through lacrosse. Scholarships are not awarded automatically; the proposed review considers applications against service record, reflection quality, leadership growth, and need, with continued service and mentorship as part of the intended pathway.
Curriculum in development · Founding cohort forming
Express interest
Students, families, and community educators.
Tell us which pathway interests you, or how your school or community program would like to be involved. Opportunities and placement depend on preparation, program needs, and available support.
Student Interest
For college students exploring volunteering or developing internships, and high school students interested in service and leadership.
Parent / Guardian Interest
For parents and guardians seeking information about the high school service and leadership pathway.
School / Community Partner & Coach Interest
For school and community educators, high school coaches, collegiate staff, and club directors exploring student referrals or support for Appleseed delivery.
