Organizing one event also opens the door to finding additional avenues to help within this network, and you could form a long-term partnership with the center. If you want to do a project where you'll need more resources or people, check around your community to see if a similar program already exists that you can join. Service learning projects have become an important part of school culture, and for good reason. Unfortunately, not everyone feels the same way about protecting the health of these locations. You can also contact the place where you'd like to perform your community service, such as a particular animal shelter or nursing home, and ask if they take volunteers. Clean up a park. If you dont know where to start, Lion's Heart is an organization that curates teen volunteering opportunities. You might even ask everyone in that group to bring a can of food for a food pantry, too. With one of these ideas, your students will be helping the community in no time! If you dont see anything on this list that interests you, Volunteer to do marketing for a non-profit by using your social media skills, Volunteer to take photos for a non-profit organization, Organize a thank-you event for volunteers in the community, Help write grant proposals for a non-profit, Donatea piece of your own work or a talent toa charity auction, Help find financial sponsors for a non-profit event, Volunteer as a programming intern for a non-profit, Volunteer to be a translator (at the doctors office, etc.) SAT is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. Thats where Busy Boxes come in! We know exactly what kinds of students colleges want to admit and can make sure your profile shines. Cheer on the athletes at a Special Olympics event. Support your favorite causes, receive opportunities surrounding them, and track your hours as you participate and lead. Participants complete the race carrying a gallon of water, like so many people around the world must do multiple times each day. You are able to join any time during the year in a group with other teens in your area or as an individual member and participate in volunteer opportunities. .css-lwn4i5{display:block;font-family:Neutra,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:-0.01rem;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;text-align:center;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-lwn4i5:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}Ricki Lake Shares Nude Bathtub Photo. It's all about getting creative and brainstorming ways to make giving back fun. 1. The USDA has some tips here to help you get started. Whether youre planning a service project for school credit or organizing a volunteer event with a group, youll be helping your community and building relationships, which is a win-win. FoodPantries.org has a list of places that welcome volunteers. Work with local shelters to find out what they need, and hold a drive to collect those items. Many schools want to give back to the community around them and just need to figure out when or where to start. The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this site. These activities get kids involved in their communities, developing empathy and a sense of generosity. This can help you facilitate democracy in your community and empower others. 101 Creative Community Service Ideas for Kids, Teens, and Adults Help a senior citizen with a project You might have always been able to connect well with your grandparents and other elderly folks. Community Service Ideas Write a letter to someone who lives alone or a grandparent. If it is available in your community and you believe you would be a suitable volunteer, go for it! Don't be afraid to think big either. It is often done near the area where you live, so your own community reaps the benefits of your work. Community Service Ideas for Kids & Families | Children's Bureau Organize parent teacher conferences with a sign up. Inclusive playground equipment? Even more, participating in civic engagement activities can help you advocate for your community and make it a better place to live. SignUpGenius is a tool that I use in my classroom for many things! I use it for potlucks, baby showers, birthday parties, meal trains and anything that requires coordination between a group of people! Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? Lobby your local government to make a protected habitat. Learn about the Meatless Monday campaign here. Run a voter registration drive. Citizen science projects are terrific service learning ideas! The following are some of the top ideas for students who want to get involved in their communities. Give students a sense of ownership by having them paint murals, decorate the hallways, or spruce up the bathrooms. Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com, allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. Read on for a, There are a lot of reasons whyhigh school students choose to docommunity service projects. Help keep the equipment on the playground in top shape! Jill Staake is a Contributing Editor with WeAreTeachers. When working closely with other people who are in difficult situations, you canlearn to empathize with others and develop good instincts for social justice. Blog 03/22/2019 Community Service Ideas for Kids and Families Benefits of Community Service for Families Community service is one of the best ways to teach your child the value of empathy. Host regular game nights at a nursing home - If you love board games, why not gather a group of friends, your favorite selection of Scrabble, Monopoly, or Taboo, and work with your local nursing home. Offer job interview training at a community center. and donate them to childrens hospitals and other facilities that help sick kids. Want to find your own community service project? Any cause can benefit from raising money and awareness, so talk to your friends and family about why youre carrying out the initiative, who its helping, and how their involvement can make a difference. Do you want examples of service projects you can do? It connects volunteers with blind and low-vision people through a video app to provide visual assistance with everything from checking expiration dates to distinguishing colors to reading instructions. to find out how we can help you get accepted. This organizing tool saves me paper, time and headaches! You can hand out publicity material, watch younger kids, or do an activity like painting faces, Teach lessons at a local community center in something that you are talented in such as a sport, art, music, etc, Form a childcare group or free babysitters club for parents who need help, Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity to build a home for a family in need, Contact a local celebrity for an autographed item, then sell it and donate the money to charity, Collect and repair used bicycles and use them to create a community fund for kids to use, Start a local food bank if your community doesnt have one, Help decorate the main parts of your town for community events and holidays, Collect cosmetics and donate them to a womens shelter, Teach a sewing class so people can learn to repair their own clothes, Advocate to local government officials for important causes, Do a used reading glasses drive and donate them to a charity, Research historical sites in your area. These skills can range from teaching to medicine to construction and more. Enhance your community. Build sets or work as an usher for a local community theater group. Check out our collection of fun collaborative art projects here. Write a thank-you note to your mail carrier. Do you have an endangered species nearby? Find more ways for kids to volunteer with seniors here. Facebook now has a feature which allows you to fundraise in a way in which you can easily reach out to your friends and family. Start a positive-news-only Instagram account for people in your community. Reading Is Fundamental believes that every kid deserves to learn how to read and to have books to enjoy. Look for projects that relate to your passion and interests. Community service is often organized through a local group, such as a place of worship, school, or non-profit organization, but you can also start your own community service projects. We've helped thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League. Animals: Local animal shelters are always in need of volunteers even for simple tasks such as cleaning cages, answering . A school or community garden lets kids dig their hands into the soil and help provide some much-needed fresh produce for others. ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score, How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League, Is the ACT easier than the SAT? There are lots of ways for kids to help, from sending letters and cards to spending time reading with or to a senior buddy. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. By Juliana LaBianca Published: Oct 9, 2020 Save. Getting older can sometimes be lonely, especially for those in nursing homes and other senior facilities. Engaging in volunteering initiatives helps build character, develops empathy and altruism, and supports a bigger cause or group of people. Host a group clean-up day at a park or beach. She has a degree in Secondary English Education and has taught in middle and high school classrooms. Donate or raise money for your local Red Cross, For your next birthday, ask for charitable donations instead of gifts, Hold a bake sale for your favorite charity, Read books or letters to a person who is visually impaired, Organize an event or parade for Memorial Day, Participate in National Youth Service Day in April, Contact a tree farm about donating Christmas trees to nursing homes, hospitals, or to families who can't afford to buy their own, Collect unused makeup and perfume to donate to a center for abused women, Organize a car wash and donate the profits to charity, Donate stuffed animals to children in hospitals, Organize games and activities for children in hospitals or who are visiting hospitalized relatives, Knit or crochet baby blankets to be donated to hospitals or homeless shelters, Collect baby clothes and supplies to donate to new parents, Organize a Special Olympics event for children and teenagers, Sponsor a bike-a-thon and give away bike safety gear, like helmets and knee pads, as prizes, Collect used sports equipment to donate to families and after-school programs, Volunteer at a summer camp for children who have lost a parent, Sponsor a child living in a foreign country, either on your own or as part of a group, Put on performances for children in hospitals, Give free music lessons to schoolchildren, Organize a summer reading program to encourage kids to read, Organize an Easter egg hunt for neighborhood children, Organize events to help new students make friends, Organize a reading hour for children at a local school or library, Donate used children's books to a school library, Work with the local health department to set up an immunization day or clinic to immunize children against childhood diseases, Deliver groceries and meals to elderly neighbors, Host a bingo night for nursing home residents, Donate and decorate a Christmas tree at a nursing home, Organize a family day for residents of a retirement home and relatives to play games together, Ask residents of a retirement home to tell you about their lives, Perform a concert or play at a senior center, Help elderly neighbors clean their homes and organize their belongings, Rake leaves, shovel snow, or wash windows for a senior citizen, Take care of cats and dogs at an animal shelter, Raise money to provide a bulletproof vest for a police dog, Place a bird feeder and bird fountain in your backyard, Start a butterfly garden in your community, Grow flowers in your backyard then give bouquets to hospital patients or people who are housebound, Help create a new walking trail at a nature center or park, Participate in the cleanup of a local river, pond, or lake, Foster animals that shelters don't have space for, Organize a spay and neuter your pet program, Care for a neighbor's pet while they are away, Train your pet to be a therapy animal and bring it to hospitals or nursing homes, Organize a carpool to reduce car emissions, Campaign for more bike lanes in your town, Volunteer at a nature camp and teach kids about the environment, Test the water quality of a lake or river near you, Donate old eyeglasses to an organization that collects that and distributes them to people in need, Donate non-perishable food to a food bank, Host a Thanksgiving dinner for people who may not be able to afford their own, Offer to babysit or nanny for a family in need, Make "care kits" with shampoo, toothbrushes, combs, etc. 1. Coordinate a bell ringer schedule with a sign up. Establish a day of service at your workplace. You probably can't work directly with patients, but some hospitals might let you be a candy striper or another type of volunteer. She covers everything from holiday and home to travel and food, and lives in New York City, where she can often be found at hot yoga or raiding the candy aisle at CVS. (via That After School Life). Become a mentor to a student interested in your career path. Ask below and we'll reply! If not, you can start your own team with your siblings, neighbors, and friends. These are some of our favorites: This challenge not only brings service learning to the forefront of every day, it also exposes kids to a variety of service activities. Below are some of the most important benefits of volunteering: This list of over one hundred community service examples is organized by category, so if you're particularly interested in working with, say, children or animals, you can easily find community service activities more related to your interests. Community service can also give you opportunities to take what you've learned in the classroom and apply it to real-world situations. One of the best ways to benefit from community service is through scholarship. Here are 5 ideas for community service options for young and older teens: 1. Youre helping them can learn while you get some firsthand experience teaching kids, peers, or adults. Host a donations drive on Facebook for your birthday. 2023 SignUpGenius, Inc. All Rights Reserved. What a memorable experience for a group of high school friends. Host a bake sale or hot chocolate stand for a special cause. 423 Amazing Community Service Ideas - PrepScholar Read on for dozens of community service ideas to help you get started volunteering. Junk food is often cheaper than healthy food, and many people dont have ready access to a place to grow their own fruits and veggies. Think about what your areas of expertise are, whether in Medieval Literature or in East Asian History, and start building a lesson plan! Service learning projects have become an important part of school culture, and for good reason. Youll find even more citizen science projects for kids here. Be My Eyes Be My Eyes is a great way for students interested in the health industry to get community service hours online. Open students eyes to what it means to live without easy access to clean water with a 5K like no other. She currently lives in Tampa, Florida where she often works on her back porch while taking frequent breaks for bird-watching and gardening. Visit Feeding America to find organizations that need your help. There are a lot of reasons whyhigh school students choose to docommunity service projects. Thousands of people flee their homelands and seek asylum in the United States every year. Its a great way to make a difference in your community, discover a new interest, cultivate relationships, and have fun. Community service can help many different groups of people: children, senior citizens, people with disabilities, even animals and the environment. What are some causes that you are passionate about? Finding a project that children and their parents can get behind and support over the course of a few months or the entire school year is the key. Take advantage of crowdfunding services such as GoFundMe to let people know more about your initiative. to bring happiness to others during this challenging time. Are you not free on a regular basis but can volunteer for an entire weekend now and then? Older kids helping younger kidswhat a great way to build a sense of community! Reach out to all members of your community by translating your school materials into other languages spoken locally. Check out our list of community service scholarships that you can win. You get to bond with the members, as well as play your favorite game. 17 Community Service Ideas for High School Students Samantha January 9, 2020 17 Meaningful Community Service Ideas Engaging in volunteering initiatives helps build character, develops empathy and altruism, and supports a bigger cause or group of people. Some people prefer quantifiable activities because they feel they look stronger on college applications, or because they simply enjoy knowing their exact impact on the community. They also need soap, toothpaste, deodorant, period products, and other hygiene supplies. You'll find ideas for students of all ages! Get involved in neighborhood protection If your residential area has been a frequent location for theft or harassment, start a violence protection group or join a neighborhood watch in the community. Tools to Reduce Waste in Schools (PDF, 44 pp) EPA's Tools to Reduce Waste in Schools helps your school and school district reduce the amount of waste you generate. There are numerous benefits to participating in community service, both for yourself and others. You may also just want to perform particular community service activities that allow you to do hobbies you enjoy, like baking or acting, and that's fine too. how to win community service scholarships. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points, How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer, Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests. If youre considering becoming a veterinarian or working with animals in the future, this is a method to test the waters to see if you are on the right path. But its likely that not everyone in your community speaks English fluently. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. You can start a volunteering committee for a cause that centers pretty much on any important issue. Choose which gently used clothes to donate to charity. Donate toys. Give out baked goods in the lobby of a hospital. Donate hair to an organization that makes wigs for kids who have cancer. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points, How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer. This builds your own leadership and communication skills. Hospitals and Nursing Homes. Think about which sport you would want to coach. ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score, How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League, Is the ACT easier than the SAT? Breaking Gender Stereotypes - Diversity & Inclusion: Questioning and eliminating limiting societal norms to equip all . Download it for free now: hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(360031, '688715d6-bf92-47d7-8526-4c53d1f5fe7d', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(360031, '03a85984-6dfd-4a19-93c8-5f46091f5e2b', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); Mary Ann holds a BA in Classics and Russian from the University of Notre Dame, and an MA from University College London. And if you're hesitant to get out into your community, don't miss these .css-1me6ynq{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#125C68;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#125C68;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-1me6ynq:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:#595959;}exciting virtual volunteer opportunities. Take part in a Red Cross national youth preparedness program, Join a CitiIMPACT team to respond to a local disaster, Plant flowers in public areas (with permission), Petition your local utility company to create energy conservation programs, Campaign to improve lighting in public buildings so energy isnt wasted, Teach about the benefits that insects have on the environment, Create an informational pamphlet about the correct use of pesticides, Bring local honey to schools to start a discussion about the importance of bees, Take photos of the natural beauty in your area, and use them to advocate for better environmental practices, Raise bees so they have a safe place to live, Set up a casual carpool in your local area for commuters. One thing to note is that while this activity is powerful, its also very common among students. If you find a project you can start on your own, do it! Get volunteers to paint benches, etc. Each child has his own personality and interestsand parents should tap into those interests to ensure the community service project has an impact. Tags :community service for students,high school community service ideas,meaningful community service ideas,community service ideas,community service ideas for high school students. Perhaps you don't have enough time to regularly devote to community service. Inspire a sense of community and generosity. Choose a non-profit or charity you care about and ask how you can volunteer on a long-term basis. By Matthew Lynch May 24, 2021 0 Spread the love Volunteering for various programs is an excellent way for students to fulfill community service requirements for their school. Were they mostly in one particular category, like children or the environment? Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Volunteer as a crisis counselor for a crisis hotline. When thinking about community service ideas, working as a mentor allows you to make a positive impact, as well as reflect on how helping the next generation is meaningful to you. If so, that's a good starting place for choosing specific organizations to contact. Bring surplus food donations from local restaurants and grocers to a nearby food bank. 423 Amazing Community Service Ideas Posted by Mary Ann Barge | Dec 3, 2015 5:00:00 PM Extracurriculars Volunteering is a great way to fulfill community service requirements for school, strengthen your resume, and give back to your community. Start a Pay It Forward or Buy Nothing group for your neighborhood on Facebook. Recruit and organize school book fair volunteers with a sign up. Denise Austin, 66, Stuns in Swimsuit Throwback Pic, Why John Stamos Got "Angry" With the Olsen Twins, Shakira Fans Will Be Mesmerized By Wakeboarding, Dakota Johnson Stuns in a See-Through Lace Top, Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights 2023. If youre looking to work in a more logistical manner, you can also help organize adoptions, assist with budgets, and serve on the organization committee for events, depending on where youre needed. Donate essential supplies to centers in need (homeless shelters, churches helping a cause, daycares . Hand out flyers, etc. Check whether you can teach a course on a topic that interests you at your local community center. Learn about this incredible service learning project from H2O for Life here. Organizations like Hats 4 the Homeless and Warm Up America take your knitted goods and get them to those who need them. Classroom ideas, free printables, and great teacher ideas right here. 50 Tips to Set Your Classroom Up for Success. Volunteer at the local library - If you are passionate about books and reading, taking part in library services can really help out a staff that may need extra hands. This is a wonderful project for students and parents to work on together. Donate toys to a local shelter for kids to play with. Volunteering can help youbecome anactive and caring citizen who wants to make a difference in the world. creative ways to match homeless pets with their forever families. Do a fundraiser for a cause you're passionate about. However, some students have difficulties finding a volunteer opportunity that they are excited about. Tell the kids to report back with stories they hear from the women they meet. Consider running a voter registration drive in your local area. Think about transportation as well and how you'll be able to get to different locations. 129 Great Examples of Community Service Projects, Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score, Read our guide on volunteer abroad programs, which extracurricular activities you should consider in college. 2023 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Get all the resources you need to set up and run a stellar school recycling program here. SignUpGenius is the perfect tool for any gathering or event planning! Set up a buddy program through the special needs program at school - If you prefer one-to-one interaction, a buddy or mentoring program for people with special needs could be a good fit. Make it a regular activity so they can form bonds with the local community members. Some people prefer to participate in community service activities that have a quantifiable impact, for example, activities where you know the specific number of kids you tutored, dollars you raised, or cans of food you collected. What kind of role do you wish to play in the initiative? If you already participate in a sport yourself, your choice might be straightforward. Few students choose this path, so its a more unique opportunity. Learn about the 30 Days of Service Challenge here. Start here. Check our our community service ideas for students, families, and individuals. In assisting others gain access to food, youre helping those with a low-income budget, as well as connecting with the members who frequent the food bank. Combine those benefits with charitable giving to create a fun, creative service learning project. If there is a particular skill you'd like to learn for future classes, jobs, or just out of personal interest, you may want to see if there is a community service activity that helps you learn that skill. 25+ Meaningful Service Learning Projects for Kids and Teens. What ACT target score should you be aiming for? Teach a summer class in something you are great at art, science, etc. Organize a school coat drive with a sign up. Here are the 9 best places to do community service. No matter your age, giving back can help you build friendships, develop new skills, and increase life satisfaction all while making the world a better place. Start early in your high school years, as sticking with a particular person(s) over a number of years would demonstrate your dedication to this kind of mentorship service, as well as build genuine trust and friendship. A project like this requires preparation but does not need to be consistently sustained over the course of a year. Plan an art supply drive and donate the proceeds to a local shelter for kids to play with. Bringing entertainment and fun to the elderly can be a rewarding experience on both sides of the coin. Coach a youth sports team If youre an athlete or a sports fan, this is an option that offers both a solid leadership opportunity as well as a way to be involved in community service. Earth Day is an appropriate occasion to raise awareness among your peers on relevant issues. Are you in college or will be starting soon?