Launch Priority · Volunteerism Program for High-School-Aged Student-Athletes
Cultivate the Forest
Our volunteerism program for high-school-aged student-athletes — a multi-year service and leadership pathway that prepares young athletes to serve, teach, mentor, and support their communities through lacrosse.
How the pathway works
Learn, serve, lead — and earn your way forward.
Cultivate the Forest is a volunteerism, service, and leadership-development program for high-school-aged student-athletes. It is a multi-year commitment for high-school students who want to grow from players into educators and community leaders. Participants move through a sequenced curriculum built around lacrosse service, child development, coaching fundamentals, and community stewardship.
1. Engage
Students apply or are nominated as freshmen or sophomores. Accepted participants join a cohort that meets throughout the year, begins with history and teaching fundamentals, and is assigned to service roles with their local recreational youth lacrosse program.
2. Serve
Each year participants accumulate verified service hours. The required on-field lacrosse service hours are completed solely with the participant's local recreational youth lacrosse program — coaching, assisting, or mentoring younger players. Participants also complete 10–15 off-field community-service hours each year outside of 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
By the later years, participants design small-group instruction, mentor incoming cohorts, and complete a capstone service or education project. Graduates leave with a portfolio of experience, references, and a clear pathway toward coaching, teaching, or program-building.
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.
Training alongside service
Every participant completes a required series of four online training sessions annually as part of Cultivate the Forest. 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. Led by PJ Martin alongside experienced lacrosse coaches, educators, and licensed mental health professionals, the curriculum 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.
Service expectations and scholarship eligibility
Service is the core of Cultivate the Forest. Hours are 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 four-year record for program completion
- •Maintain a 3.0 GPA, verified through our system
After a participant has accrued the required service hours, maintained good academic standing, and completed the program expectations for their year, they may apply for a See It Grow education scholarship. The final 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; each application is reviewed by staff and the scholarship committee against service record, reflection quality, leadership growth, and need. Scholarship recipients are expected to remain engaged in the program and to mentor those who follow.
Curriculum in development · Founding cohort forming
Student Interest
For high-school students interested in joining a founding cohort.
Parent / Guardian Interest
For parents wanting more information about the pathway.
High School Coach / Club Director Interest
For coaches and directors who want to refer students or partner with us to bring Cultivate the Forest to their region.