Walk into Park City High School, and it’s likely you’ll hear conversation swirling through the hallways about the new technology that’s taking education by storm: generative artificial intelligence. 

Rising to popularity over the last six months, generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, have entered schools, eliciting both excited and frightened reactions about the future of education.

These AI tools provide students with the ability to answer questions, create stories, debug code and brainstorm ideas all with the press of a few buttons. With so many possibilities now at students’ fingertips, parents and educators alike question what they should do to harness this new technology’s immense capabilities without sacrificing essential learning practices.

Park City High School Principal Roger Arbabi commented on the unprecedented rate at which generative AI is sweeping through schools across the nation. 

“Things are happening at the speed of light,” he said. “To have a tool that’s been so recently released and to be so readily available is a shift we have not ever seen before.”

Park City School District Chief Information Officer Drew Frink likened generative AI’s rise in schools to that of the calculator. 

“When they came into schools, there was quite a hubbub around,” he said. 

People would say, “you’re never going to have a calculator in your pocket. You need to know how to do all of this by hand,” Frink said 

“Of course, everyone now has a calculator in their pocket,” he continued. “This is likely that same level of disruption.”

Given the speed at which generative AI has begun transforming classroom learning, Park City High School is still figuring out if, and how, it will regulate AI use. Currently, the popular tool ChatGPT is blocked on students’ school devices; however, how the school district will treat AI in the coming school year remains to be seen. 

“For me to think that I’m going to be controlling an open site like ChatGPT is not reasonable,” Arbabi said. “I think that what we as educators have to look at is, listen, writing is an important skill set that we need to have, so how are we going to be able to manage it so that students are authentically learning how to write?”

Part of the high school’s challenge is finding ways to harness generative AI’s revolutionary capabilities, while also minimizing its potential harms.

“I can see where some of (AI’s) efficiency comes in,” Frink said. “It could be really interesting, and it gets us thinking about what it is that we really want students to be able to do.”

Park City Senior Nick Johnstone is optimistic about AI’s future in classrooms. 

“I feel that ChatGPT could definitely be a benefit to people in schools and students because it gives the ability for students to skip the first part of thinking of an idea and trying to get started,” he said. “It definitely has the advantage of taking away from the brainstorming stage and just being able to go into the writing.”

Johnstone said one experience that helped him realize generative AI’s potential benefits was working on an assignment from his English teacher, Julie Hooker. For the assignment, Hooker asked students to use ChatGPT to help conduct research. Johnstone, who was researching CRISPR, used ChatGPT to help formulate questions about his topic. 

Johnstone also commented on generative AI’s potential consequences, though.

“There definitely can be some drawbacks with people using it for cheating,” he said. “Say you have a poem class, maybe you’re assigned to write a poem of a certain length about a certain topic. You could just put that template into the AI, and it’ll just write the poem for you.”

When he tried out ChatGPT’s poetry writing skills for himself, Johnstone said the technology could create “amazing poems about any topic that you told it to.” He added that, for other types of writing, “the artificial intelligence can write things very on par with what normal high school students could.”

Still, Johnstone maintained his belief that, overall, AI can and should be used to improve education, not hinder it. 

“I hope, in the future, people learn to use this tech instead of trying to avoid it, like my English teacher,” he said. 

For now, though, generative AI continues to transform education more and more each day.

“It’s exciting,” Frink said.” But we have to figure it out. That’s the hard work for us.”

The post Park City School District educators and students grapple with AI appeared first on Park Record.

Editor’s note: Park Record intern Amelie Corson, a Park City resident and senior at Rowland Hall is also one of the candidates for the 2023 United States Presidential Scholars Program.

Three Park City High School seniors are among the latest students to be recognized nationally for their academic accomplishments. 

Dominik Jamrich, Case Schemmer and Luca Senn have each been named one of the 5,000 candidates for the 2023 United States Presidential Scholars Program. These candidates were selected from nearly 3.6 million high school seniors who are graduating this year.

Established in 1964 by executive order of the president, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program aims to recognize and honor some of the country’s highest-achieving high school seniors for their accomplishments in fields such as academics, leadership and community service. 

Each year, a distinguished panel of educators chooses approximately 600 semifinalists, whose names are released in mid-April, and from those, another 161 finalists, whose names are released in May. These finalists embody educational excellence and the promise of greatness in America’s youth. They are awarded with a Presidential Scholars Medallion at the National Recognition Program in June. 

While Senn wasn’t available for comment, both Jamrich and Schemmer spoke with The Park Record.

Jamrich noted his shock when he found out he was selected. 

“First of all, I was really surprised that I was nominated,” he said. 

Jamrich continued that the consideration meant a lot to him, given that, throughout his life, he has always placed a strong emphasis on school and academics.

“Both my parents are immigrants from Slovakia, and I feel like that’s been a huge part of who I am growing up, and that whole work ethic has really inspired me to commit myself to my schoolwork,” he said. 

Jamrich added that he finds it easier to commit his time to academics given that he’s always had a “genuine interest” in the subjects he learns at school. In the future, he hopes to further these passions by studying business or finance at college. 

While school is a large aspect of Jamrich’s life, he also pursues a variety of extracurricular interests, such as tennis, piano and skiing. He commented that he likes “to try as much as possible and just experience different activities.”

Fellow candidate Schemmer also enjoys exploring his many diverse interests. 

He is currently on both the Park City High School Cross Country and Track teams, and he runs his own coding club. 

Schemmer hopes his coding club will serve as a precursor to his future pursuits, as he plans to study computer science. 

Like Jamrich, Schemmer was equally thrilled about his nomination. 

“At first, I didn’t really know what it was, but then I looked it up, and I was like, whoa, this is kinda crazy. This is a big deal,” he said. 

The youngest of three brothers, Schemmer has lived in Park City all his life. He said getting to meet the president would be especially neat, considering that he comes from a small, rural town.  

“It would mean a lot just to see like, whoa, look at how far people from our town can still come,” he said. “I mean, we’re obviously known for our skiing, and we have a lot of world famous skiers, but I think it would be cool to showcase something about our town that’s different than that.”

Most importantly, both Jamrich and Schemmer are extremely appreciative that they got the chance to apply.

“Just to be a Presidential Scholar would be unreal,” Jamrich said. “I’d have to thank my parents and all the awesome teachers I’ve had. It would be incredible.”

“I was really, really grateful I got the opportunity and really, really shocked,” Schemmer said.

As parting advice, Jamrich wanted to tell younger students to keep working hard because their effort will pay off. 

“People shouldn’t discourage themselves if they’ve been labeled as someone who doesn’t generally do well in school,” he said. “I think everyone has the opportunity to become a Presidential Scholar, and it’s just up to you to decide how much effort you’re willing to commit to it. (People) shouldn’t be discouraged if they’re not a Presidential Scholar, but they should also know that they have it in them to become (one.)”

The post Park City High School seniors make Presidential Scholars candidate list appeared first on Park Record.

Heber City native, Mary Hurner, is the latest Park City High School graduate to be rewarded for her academic explorations, namely her expedition into social justice.   

Hurner, who graduated in 2020 and is now studying public policy at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, recently discovered she was one of 100 winners of the inaugural Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship.  

Sponsored by former President Barack Obama and Airbnb Chief Executive Officer Brian Chesky, the scholarship aims to expose students interested in public service to new places and experiences, equipping them with the knowledge to become society’s future leaders and create meaningful change. 

Hurner said she was “over the moon” when she found out about winning. 

“I’m so excited,” she gushed. “I’m really interested in public service, but it’s kind of hard to figure out exactly what you want to do on your own. Having the support and feeling like there’s people on your side is a really good feeling to have.”

As a recipient, Hurner will receive up to $50,000 in financial aid for her final two years of college, along with a $10,000 stipend and free Airbnb housing to use on a Summer Voyage, a work-travel journey to explore communities and career paths.

Hurner remarked that she’s still figuring out where she wants to go.

“It’s a big thing because I could do some kind of internship in the U.S., or I could focus on going abroad,” she said. “What’s great is that the Obama Foundation pairs you with a coach, and you get to go through a couple of training sessions that help you find what you really want to do.”

Right now, Hurner thinks she wants to build off some of her previous pursuits and “do something with refugee issues abroad.” 

Last year, she worked with a refugee center in Utica, New York, helping young refugees from around the world adjust to their new environment. 

“It was a great program because I was able to work directly with my supervisor and help her plan events to connect local young refugees to the area,” Hurner said. “What I loved about it was that I met so many people from completely different backgrounds than myself that I never would’ve met otherwise.”

Hurner hopes her Summer Voyage will allow her to pursue similar endeavors across the globe. 

“I’m interested in what organizations are in the field helping refugees get access to resettlement resources and how accessible the resettlement process is,” she said. “I’m trying to find an organization I could volunteer with or intern for that focuses on the refugee resettlement process and getting refugees the resources they need.”

Whatever Hurner ends up doing, she’s excited about the many opportunities she’ll receive and the barriers her scholarship will help reduce. 

“One of the reasons this scholarship was established is because the Obama Foundation wants to help students going into public service figure out their path and also with some of the financial burdens faced in public service work,” she said. “Public service is not always a lucrative job, so it’s about making it a more accessible career.”

In addition to pursuing her interests in the field, Hurner is also honing her skills in the classroom. At Hamilton, she says her most interesting classes have focused on issues like homelessness, community wellness and healthcare access. 

Besides studying public policy, Hurner is minoring in French. During high school, Hurner won the statewide title of World Languages Sterling Scholar. Now, she hopes to use her French background to enhance her public service work. 

“I’m studying abroad in Paris this coming spring,” Hurner said. “From there, I’m hoping to maybe find a way to incorporate French into some of my professional work. It’s so beneficial to speak another language, and I want to be able to put that to good use in my life.”

Hurner notes that her best advice to current high schoolers is to stay motivated and keep seeking new opportunities. 

“The main thing is just to stay passionate about what you’re interested in and keep pursuing things that fit with those interests,” she said. “It sometimes requires stepping out of your comfort zone a little bit, but it’s so worth it.” 

The post Park City High School graduate receives inaugural Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship appeared first on Park Record.

With school back in full swing, the Park City High School debate team is kicking off its season. Excited for the upcoming year, team captains Natalie Best and Cody Rutkowski share their stories and express what makes debate such an integral part of their high school experience.

Best and Rutkowski joined the team without having any formal debate background. 

Best said she came in with the attitude, “Oh, this looks fun,” while Rutkowski said he’d stopped playing basketball and “needed something to do after school.”

They soon discovered debate is much more than just an after school activity – it’s an academic undertaking that forces students to think critically about the world around them and propose solutions for tackling society’s biggest controversies. 

“Out of anything, debate pushes me the most academically,” Best said. “I consistently face the most challenges, and constantly have to think in new ways.”

Debate’s academic value doesn’t stop at learning how to think, though. Best said it also supplies her with knowledge she can apply to situations in her everyday life. 

“Almost everything I know about, why I’m so well read, it’s because of debate,” she said. “If you love learning about the world and want to learn more about it, go check out debate because it will expose you to new ideas and frame a lot of events in a different light.”

Rutkowski added, “When you play football, the main aspect of getting really good is so you can play for college. But in debate, the program provides so many larger benefits besides just participation. I could go into public speaking and do really well, or I could go into politics and do really well just because I have that fundamental understanding. Debate opens up the door for so much more.” 

In addition to its numerous academic benefits, Rutkowski stressed debate’s ability to improve confidence and public speaking. 

“Debate is one of the best extracurricular programs you can put a student into,” he said. “lt’s so much different than any other sport or club that exists in Park City just because it gives you the ability to stand up in front of a room and command (it).” 

Best agreed. 

“If you have anxiety about public speaking, if you’re not good at it but wish to improve and conquer that fear, then debate is the activity for you,” she said. “Anyone who does debate will come out a better public speaker, a better writer and a better communicator overall.” 

Best and Rutkowski compete in a type of debate called Public Forum, a partner event in which students affirm or negate a proposition regarding federal policy reform. Topics change every one or two months, depending on the state of current events. This September and October, the topic is whether the federal government should increase investment in a high-speed rail system. 

 Even though Public Forum is a partner event, Park City relies on each individual’s contributions to the team at large. 

“Overall, debate is a team event,” Rutkowski said. “At region and state (tournaments), we accumulate points as a team that go to Park City’s record.” 

Best added that, besides competing, there are other aspects of debate that demand team-wide collaboration too.  

“Aside from being in round, there’s researching (and) practicing drills,” she said.

Public Forum isn’t the only event Park City participates in. Debaters also work with the speech team, which participates in a variety of competitions testing students’ current events knowledge and improvisational skills.  

Rutkowski commented, “There are centralized leadership roles that have to communicate because each event’s needs are different.”

For the school to succeed, “there needs to be good team bonding,” he said. 

Teammates also cooperate as they travel to competitions together not only across the state, but also at high schools throughout the entire country. 

“National circuit tournaments are much more difficult,” Rutkowski said. “They provide challenges in that we’re competing against not just the best schools in the state but also in the nation.” 

Furthermore, national tournaments give students the opportunity to “bid” for the ultimate achievement: attending the Tournament of Champions at the University of Kentucky. This May, Park City hopes to send a couple of teams to Kentucky to compete on this biggest stage of high school debate. 

For now, though, Best and Rutkowski are focusing on having fun and enjoying the experience. 

“When people hear debate they think of two teams arguing, but there’s so much more,” Best said. “It’s so amazing and so fun.”

Debate is an “invaluable resource” added Rutkowski. “At the end of the day, if you want to be a more confident person, if you want to present yourself in a more meaningful way to the world around you, if you want to boost your college application, join debate.”

The post Debate is arguably an important part of Park City High School students’ experience appeared first on Park Record.

Miners Day is Monday, and the Park City community is getting ready to put on a show to honor the town’s heritage.

In addition to paying tribute to miners, the annual parade that runs down Main Street will also spotlight an array of local individuals, neighborhoods, politicians and nonprofit organizations. (See article on page A-1).

The Park Record caught up with the staff and members of two organizations, CONNECT Summit County and Summit County Clubhouse, who plan to walk in this year’s parade.

While the parade showcases Park City’s many diverse offerings, these two groups have one similar, standout mission: providing welcoming, accessible and affordable mental health support to all Summit County residents.

CONNECT Summit County

CONNECT Summit County, a non-profit dedicated to being “the people’s voice for mental health,” was founded in 2016 after two Park City teens passed away from drug overdoses.

 “The community was devastated,” Julya Sembrat, CONNECT’s Executive Director, said.  “[People] felt like there needed to be a vehicle for families, other students and other community members to rally together and focus on mental health.”

Sembrat continued that since Park City is such a small town, many people know each other and care about each other. CONNECT’s founders — Ed and Lynn Rutan — wanted to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health in our interconnected community as well as educate people about different mental health issues and treatments.  

“By sharing the stories and by publicizing these individuals, some of whom are well known athletes or just well known community members, that really helps to connect people, thus the name CONNECT,” Sembrat said.

Another aspect of CONNECT’s mission is helping community members access treatment opportunities specific to their own individual needs.

CONNECT “lowers the barriers for receiving any kind of treatment,” Sembrat said. The organization offers opportunities for people “to get the ball rolling, have a place where they can start their inquiry and have someone to talk to.”

CONNECT’s biggest program, its peer navigation service, provides a phone number people of all ages and backgrounds can call with any mental health concerns, whether they’re having a crisis or looking for mental health support groups in the community. Though the number isn’t a 24/7 hotline, CONNECT staff will answer calls during business hours and return all calls placed outside those hours. 

“Maybe it’s not a doctor, maybe you want to talk to a licensed social worker [or] a peer support specialist,” Sembrat said. “We have a wide range of individuals who can help, and once we receive your call, we’ll follow through with you and make sure you’re getting the treatment you need.”

Sembrat continued, “we’re here to help everybody,” including the Latino community. In addition to having a Spanish speaking program director, CONNECT works with organizations like Latino Behavioral Health and Holy Cross Ministries to break the language barrier and reduce stigma. 

CONNECT also provides financial assistance to those with difficulties paying for treatment by offering up to $85 dollars per hour for a session with a provider. 

“Everybody has been affected by the pandemic and also all these crazy changes we’re seeing in the world right now–our politics, our climate, our economy,” Sembrat said. 

With many therapists booked several months out, CONNECT strives to cut down the time it takes for people to make their first “connection.” 

“We have a variety of support groups we can refer you to, so if you do have to wait for a provider, you can get some kind of connection sooner or later,” Sembrat said. “We’re really here to get the job done for you.”

Summit County Clubhouse

One example of a local support group is Summit County Clubhouse, whose members and staff are also walking in the Miners Day parade. Clubhouse is part of an international non-profit that strives to assist with the social inclusion and integration of those with mental illnesses into society. 

Lindsay Hauptman, a bilingual social practitioner at Clubhouse, said the organization “encourages the idea that people with a mental illness can do things people without a mental illness can.”

“It’s about “giving them that confidence that not only diminishes what they’re told they can’t do because they have a mental illness but also makes them feel surrounded and confident because the other people in the clubhouse are also mentally ill and doing these things,” she said.

Clubhouse’s founding member, Matthew Rutan, agreed with Hauptman. 

“It’s productive in a way that’s not therapy but still helps the mentally ill,” he said. “We get to rise above [stigmas] and just feel like a normal person and most importantly, reintegrate into society,” he said.

Clubhouse is located in a donated home converted into an office space at 6304 Highland Drive. Aside from being age 18 or older and having a diagnosed mental illness, there are no other requirements to join. Clubhouse programs are free for participants who can come and go whenever they wish.

“Clubhouse has a lot of opportunities for every kind of person’s needs,” Hauptman said. “Whether it’s just making it to the clubhouse that day and that’s all you can do, and that’s enough, or if you want to come do an activity like go to Nuzzles and Co. to play with dogs, or come play games in the afternoon just to feel less lonely. We don’t have to talk about your mental illness, or we do if you want, but there’s really an accepting community here who will appreciate you and value you no matter what.”

Clubhouse wants to get people out of their shells, Rutan added.

“We try to get out into society because that’s healthy for mental health,” he said.

Aside from activities, Clubhouse members can also participate in the “work order day,” in which members are “in the clubhouse, doing the work of the clubhouse.” Members cook their own lunches and complete tasks that Rutan described as allowing you to be “a CEO or CFO of your own company.” 

“Here you’re respected and welcome for your skills and we try to optimize on that,” Rutan said. “We can see each [member’s] story come out and rise, and they’re good stories.”

For both Clubhouse and CONNECT, the main message is that it’s important to get out and talk to people who can help, no matter how difficult that can be.

“The scariest thing about having mental illness is that feeling of loneliness which then leads to a self fulfilling prophecy of isolation,” Hauptman said. “Get out of the basement. As hard as it is. Go out and do something.”

At the Miners Day parade, getting out is exactly what CONNECT and Clubhouse will be doing.

“If you can just be strong enough to make that first connection, it lightens your load,” Sembrat said. “Those tiny steps really make a difference. Just actually speaking to another human being who can tell you you’re valued, and you’re worthwhile, and you should do this for yourself because you matter is sometimes all somebody needs to hear.”

 “We spread the message of inclusion,” Rutan said. “Getting out during the parade and sharing this message with the community is enormous amounts of fun.”

The post Mental Health organizations will raise awareness during the Miners Day Parade appeared first on Park Record.

This summer, I spent three fast-paced weeks in New York City thanks to a program offered by Columbia University. Here are my biggest takeaways. 

Expectations Versus Reality

Coming from the small town of Park City, New York City’s looming skyscrapers and 24-hour energy always felt like a different planet. I love Park City’s laid back, mountain-town attitude, but still, I’ve always wondered what life in the Big Apple is like.

Going into senior year and beginning to start college applications, I’ve learned that schools love to see applicants spend their summers furthering their academic or extracurricular interests. This summer, I wanted to do both: expand my learning beyond courses offered at school and also pursue my passion for exploring the world. 

After a few minutes of internet searching, I found that almost every U.S. college offers summer programs for high school students. But out of the hundreds of choices, one school stood out: Columbia University in the City of New York. For three weeks, I could live in campus dorms, take classes in University buildings and venture around New York City. It sounded perfect–not too long, not too short, and I could experience the city of my dreams.

Going into the program, I thought my biggest takeaways would be what I learned in class and my memories adventuring the city. Looking back—I did accomplish these goals. However, the most noteworthy moments were not what I initially expected. 

Thrust into life in one of the country’s busiest cities, I wasn’t the slightest bit overwhelmed. At least, not by the subway, or endless crowds, or sirens blaring all through the night. Instead, I was unnerved by the peace of Columbia’s campus. The tall trees, Roman classical architecture and high iron gates isolated the city’s bustle right next door.

After only a few days, I established a routine. Wake up. Cram in breakfast with my roommate. Walk five flights of stairs to class. Lunch…and then back up the stairs. Power nap. Head to the gym. Dinner. Homework. Sleep. Repeat. 

It was easy. But, wait, I thought. This is New York City. It shouldn’t be this easy. 

Taking Action

I soon realized that if I continued on my current course, I would finish the three weeks  without seeing any of New York City but the five square blocks housing my dorm, dining hall and class building. And that wasn’t what I signed up for.

So, I picked my head up and started looking around, searching for opportunities. I talked to my hallmates, my classmates and my RAs. I asked questions. Are there any excursions happening this afternoon? What are the weekend plans? Any chance we can see a Broadway show? Or a Yankees game?

It turned out showing a little initiative, something usually beyond my comfort zone, was all it took to break the dam. 

“Sure, we can do anything you guys want,” the RAs responded. “Just let us know, make a plan and we’ll make it work.”

My hallmates and I put our heads together and compiled a list of everything we wanted to do. We found times that worked with everyone’s varying schedules. We enlisted RAs to chaperone us. We bought tickets and planned activities. 

The Real New York City

Because we were assertive, our hall got the full New York City experience. Early morning breakfast bagels, Central Park picnics, roller skating, subway riding, 4th of July fireworks, Times Square, Broadway, baseball, Coney Island, the Met, Soho shopping, thin slice pizza and more. 

Talking to other people in the program (there were 550 residential students), some commented they wished they got out to see the city more. Listening to them, the importance of self-advocacy dawned on me. If my hallmates and I hadn’t been assertive, we might have never escaped Columbia’s little quiet paradise. And while the peace of campus was certainly nice, the serenity felt 100 times better partnered with the hectic environment outside its walls.

Reigniting the Love of Learning

Columbia was also a period of what high school parent Candi Meyer called “supervised independence.”

Meyer’s son Daniel, a rising junior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, also attended a collegiate summer program. His was at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, as part of the Center for Talented Youth. Similar to me, the Meyers were looking for academic enrichment opportunities outside their usual circle. 

Candi, a Franklin & Marshall alum, said “F & M was a draw because it was a campus I knew, and Daniel hasn’t gone to camps away from home.”

She also said her family was attracted by the program’s promise of “good academic opportunities but also the social aspect of living away.”

Though different, Daniel and my experiences embodied the value of leaving one’s comfort zone and exploring opportunities. Whether it’s through a program, like it was for us, or just an individual adventure, getting out and reaching beyond high school requirements can be truly transformative. 

Still, Daniel had mixed feelings going in. 

“I was excited to take the class, but somewhat anxious to be away,” he said. 

In the end, though, making friends was no issue. Daniel commented that with “a dozen kids in my class, which is more people than in my usual friend circle,” meeting new people was easy.

In addition to the program’s social benefits, Daniel’s class, which he described as “game theory with a mix of probability and psychology,” was equally illuminating. 

Candi attested that before the program, some of Daniel’s “love for math…had been worn out by school.”

“I wasn’t super interested in probability and didn’t think it had many useful applications,” Daniel said. 

But, through the program, Daniel got the opportunity to explore more exciting applications of probability that he wouldn’t otherwise at school. He said the opportunity allowed him to “pick something [he] was interested in, but didn’t have too much experience with.”  

Despite his initial worries, both Daniel and his mom feel it was a worthwhile, productive experience.

 “I’m definitely happy I did it,” Daniel said. I learned a lot, and it helped me understand what it will be like living by myself in the future.”

His mom agreed. 

“The experience of being on campus, what he learned, doing his own laundry…it was all very positive,” she said. 

Regarding his class, Daniel added “I definitely changed my mind and might take more probability classes in the future.”

It even “reignited some of his love for math,” Candi said.

The post Park Record intern remembers her time in New York City appeared first on Park Record.

Volunteering is a fantastic way to give back to the community. In such a tight-knit town like Park City, volunteering makes a tangible impact not only on the lives of community members but also on the lives of volunteers themselves. 

Joyce Cossin, 14-year Park City resident and 12-year volunteer at local nonprofits and churches, stated that “volunteering provides me with a sense of purpose and a sense of community.” 

She continued that volunteering allows individuals to both learn new skills and get out of their comfort zones, while helping others at the same time. 

“The main benefit is that it is rewarding,” she said. “What you get is the appreciation of the people you’re working with and the connection you’re making with others. Sometimes it’s just that smile you get knowing that you may have lifted someone up that day and moment with your volunteering.” 

Cossin recommends that those interested in volunteering should choose an organization they “believe in and that does something [they] are passionate about.” 

Due to the wealth of nonprofits looking for volunteers, Park City is a great place to discover one’s passion for community involvement.

At EATS Park City, for example, volunteers have helped the nutrition advocacy organization teach over 3,460 kids, grow over 600 pounds of fresh food, divert 15,000 pounds of food waste and provide almost 12,000 backpack meals to children facing food insecurity. 

Executive Director Meaghan Miller-Gitlin, said there are “so many stories of kids helping kids.” Whether it’s weeding gardens, building beds, sowing seeds, instructing cooking classes or bundling food distributions, there are plenty of ways for volunteers to get involved.

Miller-Gitlin added that kids of all ages can volunteer in different ways. She said for gardening specifically, “older groups are preferred, ideally (ages) 15+, but we are of course open to younger groups.” 

In other areas, like food bundling, all ages can assist. And for elementary cooking classes, middle, junior high and high school students all provide support.

Though some background in gardening or cooking is useful, EATS gladly accepts volunteers with any level of experience or skill.

“Skill wise, we are open to any,” Miller-Gitlin said. “We are willing to accommodate accessibility needs in order to get folks into the garden.” 

Still, “people with specific skills in things like gardening or irrigation would be awesome to have,” she said.

In addition to aiding underserved populations, Miller-Gitlin adds that volunteering has a lot to offer for the volunteers as well. 

“Volunteers will feel refreshed from their rewarding hard work of creating a more beautiful community,” she said.

However, volunteering is not the only way to get involved. 

Miller-Gitlin said that “If people are eager to get involved but do not have the time to volunteer, we are happy to accept gifts, whether itemized or monetary.” All contributions help support the work EATS Park City does with its gardens, cooking classes and food security efforts. 

Another Park City nonprofit that eagerly accepts volunteers is PC Tots, an early childhood center focused on providing an affordable, diverse and safe learning environment for Summit County toddlers. 

Program Director Melissa Mendez stressed how there is something for everybody at PC Tots. 

“If rocking babies makes you happy, you can volunteer in an infant room,” she said. “If reading stories, singing and playing are your thing, you can volunteer in any classroom, ages 12 months to 5 years old.”

Anyone from teachers to handymen can find a way to help, said Mendez. 

“If you enjoy teaching reading, our 4/5 classroom is the place to be,” she said. “If you are a handyman or love to organize, we could use your help with facilities.”

Even simple interactions have massive impacts on toddlers.

“The most valuable time to invest in children is the early childhood ages zero to five years when…90% of the brain develops,” Mendez said. She called thinking about how that 90% impacts mental health, social and emotional growth and literacy “an essential focus at PC Tots.” 

Helping toddlers benefits not only the young kids but the volunteers as well.  

“Volunteers love giving back,” Mendez said. “One volunteer stated that she loves seeing the smiles and hearing the laughter in the classroom. Another volunteer loves rocking the babies; she loves supporting the teachers in the classroom as well as snuggling and feeding little ones their bottles.”

Mendez added that volunteers help PC Tots make toddlers feel appreciated from young ages. 

She said volunteers help teach babies “that they are safe in this world and their needs matter. They matter.”

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