Kelly Chen – My First Adventures in Volunteering. Thanks Heritage Farmstead!

Dive: Good Samaritan - Volunteer
Description: Volunteers time to help others
Level: Level 1
Level Requirements: Has volunteered at least 5 hours
Certified On: May 2, 2020

Editor’s Note: On all dive certifications, we try to edit the writing as little as possible to preserve authenticity, personality, and writing style. We typically fix spelling errors, but minimally modify grammar and sentence structure (just enough to ensure readability).

Name: Kelly Chen Break Diving Level: Recruit Number of Certified Dives: 4 From: United States In: United States

1. When and Why Did You Decide to Pursue This Dive At This Level? What was your inspiration and motivation?

I’ve always enjoyed volunteering to help others. As a student, I would help teachers grade homework and tutor peers. I like the joy I get from helping others. During the summer of 2019, I volunteered at Heritage Farmstead as a camp counselor. I played with young children and took care of their safety while walking in the creek.

Working with young children taught me a lot. They are always so happy and energetic. Some are shy. Some are super outgoing. Some love to break the rules — but no matter what, they are kids who treat you with kindness. Seeing them walk into the camp, kiss their parents, and say goodbye was so sweet. They would tell me about their day, laugh about it, or complain about it. Their smiles while playing just made me so happy and truly lit up my day!

2. How Long Did It Take For You To Accomplish This Dive At This Level From The Day You Decided To Pursue It, And Why Did It Take That Long?

I volunteered at Heritage Farmstead starting on 6/7/19 for a week of pioneer camp where we all took care of the farm animals and again for Creek Camp during the week of 7/19/19, where we walked in the creek and played games with water. I volunteered 5 hours each day for 10 days. That’s 50 hours in total.

3. What Was The Hardest Part About Achieving This Particular Dive Level?

The hardest part was staying consistent since I had to get to the place by 8:30 A.M. I had to wake up early in the summer and volunteer right away for 5 hours, including clean up. It was a tiring job and I had to stay patient with the kids, but the joy overcame all the tiredness. I woke up every day with excitement, waiting to see what will happen next. While walking in the creek, it was slippery, so you had to be careful with every step you took. In the beginning, I kept slipping, and my pants were all wet, but as the week went on, I was more familiar with where the deep part was and where the shallow part was. I was able to take good care of myself and the kids all at the same time.

4. What Was The Easiest Part About Achieving This Particular Dive Level?

The easiest part was playing and talking with the kids. It was fun talking to them and hearing their stories. It made me feel like I was a kid like them. They are willing to be with you, oftentimes a game or a topic can immediately draw them closer to you. It was a great experience to volunteer for something I love, and something I enjoy.

5. What Is Your Advice For Someone Who Is Pursuing This Dive And Level?

If you want to enjoy volunteering, you have to find a specific volunteer job you want. What do you like? Animals? Young children? Teaching? People in Need? What do you want to do for society? Once you find the job you want, you will want to do whatever you need to do to be a part of it! I hope one day you can find volunteer work you love just like me!

6. What Are Some Of The Best Resources You Recommend to Those Pursuing This Dive At This Level, And Why Do You Recommend Them? Please Include Relevant Weblinks, If Applicable.

Heritage Farmstead! https://www.heritagefarmstead.org/ It’s a great place to volunteer if you live near Plano, Texas!

VolunteerMatch: https://www.volunteermatch.org/ They have many volunteer opportunities available, in person, and remote!

Break Diving Vopportunities: https://breakdiving.io/vopportunities Help Break Diving by Volunteering! There are opportunities in marketing, finance, and coding (and I volunteer here too!)

Resource 1: Break Diving - Come chat with other volunteers here in this awesome community.

Resource 2: Heritage Farmstead - If you're in Texas, check this place out.

Resource 3: Volunteer Match - A great place to find volunteer opportunities.

Resource 4: -

Resource 5: -

7. Tell Us A Story Of One Of Your Adventures While Pursuing This Dive (At This Level).

When I was volunteering for the creek camp, we had to walk in the creek every day. At first, I was taking only one little step at a time because the river was slippery and I would fall behind. Starting the second day, I was more familiar with the river and focused on helping the kids more. I talked with them and held their hand throughout the walk to ensure their safety. There are tadpoles and little frogs in the creek and the kids would use an empty bottle to catch them. I saw frogs with their tadpole tails still on them. It was amazing. We had a water fight one day, where we all just poured water on each other. I remembered a kid went, “get the counselors!” and I felt lots of water hit me, almost like a shower. Some even used their hat as a tool to contain water and dump on others. Afterward, I was completely wet, but I was laughing! I’m so thankful for this opportunity!

8. What Evidence Did You Submit to Prove You Met the Requirements for This Dive and Level?

I shared certificates that showed my participation and contributions to the Creek Camp & the Pioneer Camp.

9. Will You Be Pursuing The Next Level For This Dive? If Yes, Why? If Not, Why Not?

Of course! I would never stop my journey to help others. I would continue to do the things I love to help others.

10. What is the Break Diver's Creed?

No Rules. No Excuses. No Regrets.

Certificate photo:

And having made this post, and provided adequate evidence to the dive committee, Kelly Chen is now hereby certified by Break Diving, Inc. as: Good Samaritan - Volunteer - Level 1. Congratulations ! Thank you for being an inspiration to others!

Certificate number: 37

The author above wrote this WYSEguidance post as one of the certification requirements to become certified by Break Diving, Inc. for a dive completed. Would you also like to find greater success, happiness, and friendship, and make genuine supportive connections with others around the world pursuing your same dreams? Come join us at Break Diving and soon your story will be the next one you read about on this site!

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