32.0 Overview
Activities training equips volunteers to confidently plan and execute developmentally supportive, theme-based activities with the children.
Training is introduced in the onboarding portal, then reinforced in-person through on-shift modeling and discussion.
32.1 Onboarding Portal
Volunteers and directors receive access to an online portal after acceptance.
The portal contains detailed training on the Activities Program (philosophy, methods, examples, etc.).
Refer to your portal for detailed training modules on activities.
32.2 On-Shift Activities Training
Volunteers' first shift is served alongside the Directors of Volunteer Experience (DOVEs) who model activity delivery and child interaction.
Directors demonstrate:
-How to introduce and set up an activity
-How to interact with children during the activity
-How to clean up and reset for the next shift
Over time, volunteers are encouraged (but not required) to design their own activities to support connection and development.
32.3 Roles in Activities Training
32.3.1 DOVEs
Model activity preparation and delivery during initial and ongoing shifts.
Provide informal support to volunteers on an ongoing basis ("How did that activity go?" "Want help trying another idea?")
Assist struggling volunteers by pairing them with experienced peers, offering feedback, or co-leading a shift.
Purchase and organize materials when required.
32.3.2 Activities Specialist
May be on-site (for more complex locations) or remote (coordinating through virtual calls). If the specialist is on-site they will also attend shifts to model and teach activity implementation.
Attends Monday and Thursday meetings when remote.
Works with directors and volunteers on activity design and execution.
32.4 Creating and Submitting Activities
Volunteers are encouraged, not required, to design and submit their own activities.
Activities must:
Be portable and safe for use in the orphanage
Align with Montessori-inspired approaches
Support developmental and connection-focused goals
Successful activities should be written up by the volunteer and submitted via email to Volunteer Support Specialist at OSSO Headquarters.
Submissions may be added to the official Weekly Themes Library.
32.5 Support and Follow-Up
Directors check in informally and during weekly 1:1 meetings with volunteers to discuss activity comfort and performance.
Post-shift questionnaires capture volunteer self-reflection; if a volunteer reports a low score or requests help on the post-shift questionnaire, both the Operations Coordinator and the DOVEs receive an email notification to follow up.
The Activities Specialist reviews all post-shift questionnaires weekly to identify support needs, recognize shift patterns, and gather positive stories for marketing use.
A positive, flexible culture of activity use, play, and connection is emphasized rather than strict compliance.