We’ve found that our kids achieve much greater things when the adult-to-student ratio is as low as possible. That means we need plenty of volunteers like you to give them the individualized attention they deserve!

Whether you’re interested in becoming a tutor, a workshop leader, a lab assistant, or another kind of helper, the process begins when you submit our online volunteer application. We’ll review your application and contact you to confirm your orientation session.

As of August 25, 2015, all new volunteers who are over the age of 18 and who have contact with minors must submit to background checks before they are allowed to volunteer. This PDF from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services answers many questions about the clearances volunteers need and the state’s Keep Kids Safe website has additional information.

All adult volunteers who plan to work with children must acquire the following certifications:

• Report of criminal history from the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) (FREE for volunteers)
• Child Abuse History certification from the Department of Human Services (Child Abuse) (FREE for volunteers)
• If you have been a resident of Pennsylvania for the entirety of the previous 10 years, you can submit this witnessed disclosure statement <=OR=> if you have NOT lived in Pennsylvania for the past 10 years consecutively, you must submit a fingerprint-based federal criminal history (FBI) (about $25), which will require online registration using service code 1KG6ZJ  and a quick visit to a nearby IdentoGO fingerprinting center. 

Please email or mail us copies of your completed background checks once you have them.

Once you’re an approved Spells volunteer, we’ll send you occasional emails letting you know what’s been going on at our lab, giving you additional training support, and listing upcoming volunteer opportunities.