Skip to main content
Mad River Mentoring

Resources

Activity Ideas

Not sure what to do together? Here are ideas from the Mad River Valley and beyond — with links to local venues where we have them.

Kayak, canoe, or paddle board Hike or walk trails Swim at a lake or pool Fish together Bike ride Ski or snowboard Snowshoe Rock climbing Garden together Visit a state park Drive and explore Vermont Hoolie Flats Flower Maze Go to a movie Attend a concert Visit a museum Mad River Valley Arts Gallery Circus Smirkus Museum Bundy Center for the Arts Listen to or play music Visit the library Valley Players Theater Lost Nation Theater Phantom Theater Make lunch or dinner together Bake something Enjoy a picnic Get a creemee Visit Ben & Jerry's Stowe Hollow Cider Mill Play a board game or card game Host a game night Mini golfing Get Air trampoline park Thunder Road car races Vermont Lake Monsters Vermont Mountaineers Visit a farmers market Community service project Explore local businesses Crafts or a building project Visit a nursing home

Training Videos

Watch these before your first meeting — and revisit any time.

Trauma-informed Developmental Considerations for Working with Youth

Michael Hill Training

Reading & Research

Articles and research for mentors who want to go deeper.

Search Institute

10 Ideas for Building Meaningful Mentoring Relationships

Tips for creating engaging, trust-based connections with your mentee.

 National Mentoring Resource Center

Lending Our Calm: How Mentor Self-Regulation Helps Youth

Why your emotional steadiness helps youth feel safe, seen, and supported.

 Search Institute

Developmental Relationships

The five elements of relationships that help young people thrive.

 Greater Good Magazine

How to Talk to Boys About Masculinity

Practical conversation approaches for mentors working with boys.

 Mentor VT

Resources for Mentors

Guides and tools from Vermont's statewide mentoring network.

 Evidence-Based Mentoring

Big Brothers Big Sisters: A Groundbreaking Evaluation

What landmark research reveals about mentoring's long-term impact.

 National Mentoring Resource Center

Mentoring for Youth with Disabilities

Strategies for building effective relationships with youth with disabilities.