All 6U and 8U games are expected to be officiated by one AYSO-certified referee, typically a parent or relative of a player.
At these age groups, the primary responsibility of the referee is to manage the time and make sure the players are safe and having fun. It is a great way to start your involvement in refereeing.
Referees need to register as volunteers every year. Most certifications only need to be taken once, but a few may need bi-annual or yearly reviews.