Start out by thinking about what you really enjoy doing. Try and find volunteer opportunities that revolve around this. For example, do you like to work inside or outside? Do you like working with children, other teens like you, or the elderly? Do you want to stay in your community and volunteer or travel to other areas? Just these few questions will help you to narrow down your ideas. The following resources will really help you to narrow down and select the best volunteer opportunities for you!
- For 20 different ideas for ways teens can volunteer click here.
- At http://www.dosomething.org/volunteer, users can put in their zip code and great local volunteer opportunities for teens will pop up. You can also personalize the search to volunteer opportunities that you are interested in. The site will even send text messages to your cell phone 2X per month to alert you on new volunteer opportunities. Click here to receive those text messages!
- If you want get off your couch this summer and do something really exciting, how about volunteering abroad. Click here for a link to teen volunteer services abroad.
- Although not specifically designed for teens, the Volunteer Match site allows users to put in their zip code and find great volunteer opportunities.
- Do not be afraid to ask family and friends for help thinking of ideas. Perhaps your teacher can help too. They may be able to think of great ways for you to donate your time in the community.
- Feel free to come up with ideas on your own too! Do you have an elderly neighbor that cannot shovel their driveway or rake the leaves in their yard? Does your church need help in the nursery on Sunday mornings? These are great opportunities!
