Frequently Asked Questions

How many programs does tSB offer?

We offer three programs: Core Program (January-May), Peer Leader Program (October-August), and Summer Leadership Impact Program (July-August)

Who can participate?

Anyone in high school/GED program during the 2023-24 school year located in King County and the greater Puget Sound area.

Adults and tSB alum (over 24 years old) can apply as mentors or snowboard instructors, or sign up as a volunteer to help with Wednesday dinners, snowboard instruction, help with other events, and or lots of other ways.

All participants do not need to have prior snowboarding, surfing or skateboarding skills to participate in programming. We actually provide lessons!

Why do we call first year youth Prophets?

We borrowed the term “prophet” from the teachings of the eminent theologian Howard Thurman. Thurman was a mentor to Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy had an essential influence on the civil rights movement. Thurman believed that we can all be “prophets” in the lives of others through simple acts. As first-year participants, prophets learn more about themselves and learn to speak for themselves and their communities.

Does this count towards my service learning requirement?

Yes. Our Core Program covers the full 40 hours of service learning credit required by Seattle to graduate.

How much does it cost? Are there scholarships?

Core Program will cost $430 for transportation, meals, retreats, and space rental. We have several payment options, and full or partial scholarships are available. 90% of tSB youth participants do receive scholarships. Your application will not be influenced by your ability to pay.

All snowboarding equipment/gear and lift tickets are provided to our participants who decide to participate in snowboarding. Snowboarding and other in-person outdoor activities this year are optional.

What do I need to get started?

Choose the program that’s right for you, then fill out the online application. You’ll need some information from your parents, and the names of three references to complete the application.

Where and when do we meet?

Your safety is our number one priority! This year, our Core Program will return to an all in-person format, but will require masks at ALL workshops, snowboarding days, service projects and tSB sponsored events. Group activities will be monitored closely with sanitation and social distancing guidelines strictly enforced. We will still be requiring all participants to fill out COVID-19 symptom surveys before attending anything in-person, with a temperature check upon arrival. Anyone at any time can opt out of in-person activities at their own comfort level. tSB as a whole will be closely monitoring the WA State COVID-19 guidance’s and act accordingly. Our Standard Operating Procedures can be updated or changed at any time to reflect these ongoing changes.

NOTE: We are monitoring the developments of the COVID-19 pandemic closely. These programming plans are subject to change as public health recommendations change. tSB will adhere to CDC COVID-19 guidelines and Washington State’s Public Health Authority.

Does tSB require staff and volunteers to be vaccinated against COVID-19?

On August 31, 2021 Governor Inslee issued Proclamation 21-14, making vaccinations mandatory for certain employment sectors in the state of Washington. the Service Board falls under the Education Setting of this new Proclamation. This means that all current tSB staff, board members, Mentors, Snowboard Instructors, recurring volunteers, and non-program youth participants must comply with the mandate, and show proof of full vaccination before the first day of Core Program 2022. The Governor’s proclamation does allow for exemptions on the basis of religious practice and/or medical conditions. tSB will evaluate these exemptions on a case-by-case basis.

While we understand the intent of this mandate is to ensure the health and safety of our community, we also acknowledge the hundreds of years of history of systemic neglect, abuse, and murder committed by the medical industry against BIPoC bodies. As BIPoC communities continue to be subjected to forced medical procedures globally, the idea of forced vaccinations makes many in our local communities discouraged.

That being said, as an organization, our top priority is the safety and well-being of our youth. tSB both serves and is made up of BIPoC communities, therefore it is imperative that we hold all of these realities in tension and approach them with grace, understanding, and allyship.

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us.

Are tSB require youth participants to be vaccinated against COVID-19?

The proclamation mentioned above does not require youth participants to be vaccinated.