How to Get Involved

Dancers

Dancers are the heart and soul of the Marathon. It is through their commitment to stay on their feet and awake for 32 hours that both awareness and money is raised for the Embrace Kids Foundation. Any Rutgers student is eligible and encouraged to dance! Although any level of involvement is undoubtedly rewarding, being a dancer is an unforgettable experience. Each dancer is required to raise $250 for the Foundation.

Volunteer

There are numerous ways to get involved with the Marathon. A variety of volunteer positions are offered in numerous areas. By signing up as a volunteer, each individual is making a commitment to support the Embrace Kids Foundation and the hundreds of dancers throughout the 32 hour marathon. To be a volunteer, each individual must attend Volunteer Training Night, send out 10 letters to friends and family, pay a registration fee, and work two, four to six hour sifts at the Marathon. Some Volunteer teams are:

Theme Team: These volunteers will be assigned to work the theme hours over the course of the marathon. Responsibilities will include Theme Time set-up, implementation, and breakdown. Volunteers that sign-up early may also beasked to assist with Theme Time planning activities prior to DM weekend.

Catering: Help bring food in and out of the gym. Serve food and make sure drinks are always available for the Dancers. This position requires the volunteer to assist in keeping the eating area clean.
 
Event design: Implement a plan to transform the College Avenue Gym into a fun and exciting environment fit for this incredible event! Design and create banners, posters, balloons, and other decorations.

Event Management: Assist in setting up the gym before the Marathon. Set up different activities that will occur over the weekend. The volunteer will also be responsible for keeping the gym area clean for Dancers and guests.
Family Room: Watch and play with children from the Embrace Kids Foundation! The volunteer will be responsible for making sure the family room/area remains clean throughout the Marathon. This position also requires the volunteer to facilitate the meeting of organizations with their specific family. (For more information, see the Adopt-a-Family link.) These volunteers will also make sure the families receive t-shirts and take full advantage of the children’s activities setup throughout the gym.
On-site registration: Register the dancers on Saturday morning or register guests that visit the Marathon over the course of the weekend at registration table in the lobby of the College Avenue Gym.
Security: Posted in different areas throughout the gym, these volunteers will keep order during the Marathon. They will also be responsible for ensuring Dancer and guest safety by checking passes and keeping visitors in designated areas.

Captains

Captains are essentially the “middle-managers” for the Marathon, and what make the event run as smoothly as it does. Captains are hired in the fall by the Board of Directors. Throughout the year, these individuals are responsible for one to two projects. They are also required to go on a captains’ retreat in October. Different from a regular Dancer, these students are required to raise $300, rather than $250, which is required of Dancers. To apply for this position, please submit a Captain Application.