If you’ve ever played a Saturday tournament with us, tuned into a founder-led webinar, or even just popped into one of our online training program sessions, you already know—we take chess seriously. But what you might not know is that we also take volunteering just as seriously. And if you’re a scholastic chess player looking to grow, challenge yourself, and have real impact, this post is for you.
So… why volunteer at Puddletown?
Let me break it down—teen to teen (or some of you pre-teens).
1. There’s a Real Career Ladder Here (Yes, Even for Volunteers)
We don’t just ask you to show up and hand out pencils or check kids in. Volunteering at Puddletown is like joining a real-world startup—but one that happens to teach chess and change lives at the same time.
Most of our longtime volunteers started small—maybe analyzing games at a tournament or helping kids during our weekly office hours sessions. But over time, they leveled up. Some began leading Level 1 classes. Others became certified to coach Level 2 or even our top-tier Level 3+ & Elite players. Some now help design curriculum or launch brand new training levels, like the recent Level 3+ training program. And they’re barely in middle or high school!
Volunteering with us means you grow with us. It’s hands-on leadership training—where you get to experiment, fail safely, try new roles, and figure out what you truly love.
In other words, you’re not stuck doing the same thing week after week. You’re building your own path. And it shows.
2. You’ll Get Thanked, a Lot.
You’d be surprised how many 6- and 7-year-olds remember your name. Or how many parents send emails saying, “Thank you for being so patient with my kid,” or “We’re so grateful for your help.”
At Puddletown, our community shows love and respect. Constantly. And it’s not just polite thank-yous. You’ll genuinely feel the impact you’re making in real-time. Whether it’s a parent expressing gratitude or a student coming back to you with “I won because of your advice!”—that kind of feedback sticks with you.
It builds your confidence. It reminds you that your time matters. And honestly? It just feels awesome.
3. You’ll Get Volunteer Hours (But That’s Not the Real Win)
Of course, we’re a registered nonprofit. So yes, we’ll gladly sign your volunteer hours log or write you a certificate for school or college applications. But that’s just the table stakes.
The real win? You’re doing work that’s actually meaningful. And when it comes time to write essays, talk in interviews, or apply for programs, you’ll have real stories to share.
Like how you facilitate an online tournament with 30 players while juggling homework.
Or how you helped redesign our class feedback system.
Or how you mentored a nervous 2nd grader into becoming a confident competitor.
These aren’t just hours. They’re experiences that make you stand out.
4. You’ll Get Trained (And Trusted)
We don’t throw you into the deep end without support.
Every new volunteer goes through onboarding. We explain our expectations, train you on our systems, and pair you with experienced mentors. You’ll learn communication skills, how to give feedback gently but honestly, and how to keep a class running smoothly—even when things don’t go as planned.
And once you’re ready, we trust you.
Some volunteers help run full lessons. Others lead breakout rooms or lead our popular game analysis sessions at tournaments. In the future, a few might even take charge of entire events.
We believe in teens leading teens. And we’ll give you the tools to make that happen.
5. You’ll Be Part of a Family That’s Grown Together
Right now, there are over 20 active scholastic volunteers in our community, and many of them have been with us for years.
Some started as shy middle schoolers and are now leading classes with 12 or more students.
Some began helping just for the hours, but stayed because it felt like home.
We’ve celebrated graduations, tournament wins, and those random online sessions where someone makes the best joke of the day, and the whole Zoom call loses it.
Volunteering with us isn’t just a checkbox activity. It’s a journey. One that’s filled with growth, fun, challenge, and friendship.
If any of this speaks to you—if you love chess and want to do more than just play—come volunteer with us. One of us will respond and have a phone or zoom conversation – guaranteed.
Help someone fall in love with the game the way you did. Try something new. Build your leadership muscle. And who knows… maybe in a few months, you’ll be mentoring a new generation of chess players.
Let’s make some moves together.
Ready to volunteer? Reach out to us at: puddletownchess@gmail.com
