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.
Fall
- Neill Farm Corn Maze North Road, Waitsfield. Open weekends.
- Foliage rides at Mad River Glen and Sugarbush Ride the chairlift to see the foliage!
- Apple picking at Hunger Mountain Orchard 88 Thurston Ln, Waterbury Center
- Apple picking at Peck Farm 750 Sibley Rd, East Montpelier
- High Country Animals
- Shelburne Farms Free general admission with the Mentor Discount Card!
Outdoor
- 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
Arts & Culture
- 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
Food & Fun
- 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
Sports & Active
- Mini golfing
- Get Air trampoline park
- Thunder Road car races
- Vermont Lake Monsters
- Vermont Mountaineers
Community
- 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.
10 Ideas for Building Meaningful Mentoring Relationships
Tips for creating engaging, trust-based connections with your mentee.
National Mentoring Resource CenterLending Our Calm: How Mentor Self-Regulation Helps Youth
Why your emotional steadiness helps youth feel safe, seen, and supported.
Search InstituteDevelopmental Relationships
The five elements of relationships that help young people thrive.
Greater Good MagazineHow to Talk to Boys About Masculinity
Practical conversation approaches for mentors working with boys.
Mentor VTResources for Mentors
Guides and tools from Vermont's statewide mentoring network.
Evidence-Based MentoringBig Brothers Big Sisters: A Groundbreaking Evaluation
What landmark research reveals about mentoring's long-term impact.
National Mentoring Resource CenterMentoring for Youth with Disabilities
Strategies for building effective relationships with youth with disabilities.
Chronicle of Evidence-Based MentoringHow Shared Laughter Can Strengthen Mentoring Relationships
Jean Rhodes on why humor and play help mentors and mentees grow close.
Sunfield CenterHow to Help Children and Youth Navigate the Political Climate and Current World Conflicts
Hanah Allen and Juno Ottathengil on helping young people make sense of hard news.