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Volunteer, Summer, and Pre-College Programs
Volunteer Programs in your Area
When choosing a volunteer program, try to find one that fits your
personality and offers opportunities to help in the areas of interest
you are most passionate about. Before making a commitment, visit the
organization to make sure it is a good fit and find out what your duties
will entail. Supervisors at these organizations may be willing to write
letters of recommendations on your behalf at a later time, so be a
responsible person and make a great impression. Arrive on-time on the
days you are scheduled to volunteer and have a positive attitude.
Volunteer programs can include helping with environmental group activities
and political campaigns, assisting at senior citizen centers and homeless
shelters, veterinary offices, hospitals, elementary schools, and many
more opportunities.
To
find a volunteer program in your area, go to VolunteerMatch.
In the
page upper left, type in your zip code, the distance you’re willing
to travel to volunteer.
Select
the "Interest Area" you may want to volunteer for (such as
the environment, helping children or senior citizens, justice and legal
programs, health and medicine, computers, education, politics,etc.).
Click
on “Advanced Search” in white, underlined letters.
Check
the “Great for Teens” box.
Click
on the "Search" button to see available volunteer programs.
Go to
any of the program titles under “Opportunity” to see details
about those programs.
Another great website for students interested
in volunteering locally is Network
for Good™. In
the left column, click on "I want to volunteer" and click
off "I want to donate."
Click
the bubble, “Search by City, State” or “Search by
Zip Code”.
Type
in your city and state or zip code and the distance you’re willing
to travel to volunteer.
Select
the “Area of Interest” in which you may want to volunteer
(such as Arts, Education, Animals, the Environment, Public Safety,
Children and Youth, etc.).
Check
the “Teens Welcome” box.
Go
to “Search”.
The available
volunteer programs will be listed. Click on any of the program titles
to see details about those student volunteer programs.
Summer Domestic and International Travel Programs
Global
Routes offers volunteer opportunities
for high school students in foreign countries. High school summer
programs last for 3-to-5 weeks and focus on community service, such
as working in orphanages and on farms in developing countries. Countries
where you can volunteer include Belize, China, Costa Rica, Dominican
Republic, Ecuador, Ghana, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, Peru, Tanzania
and Thailand.
In the
left column, click on the "High School Programs", "Program
Descriptions" to learn more.
Global
Volunteers
offers international and domestic projects, such as building homes,
teaching English, etc., lasting from 1-to-3 three weeks. Program costs
range from $50 to $3000 or more, plus airfare. All expenses, including
airfare, are tax-deductible. If you are under age 18, you may not be
able to volunteer without an accompanying parent or guardian.
In the
top of the left column, click on the “What You Can Do" to
learn more.
Click
on the "Where You Can Serve" to see countries where you can
serve.
Click
on "How To Apply" to review the application process.
Pre-College Summer Programs (also called Summer Enrichment Programs)
Attend a summer program for high school
students at a college. Many colleges and universities offer “summer
colleges” for junior year and senior year high school students
that last from 2-to-6 weeks. Students who attend these pre-college
summer programs experience college level work and a small preview of
college life. Pre-college programs may include courses taught by professors
for college credit, language and cultural immersion, SAT prep courses,
or community service. Afternoons are filled with leisure activities;
weekends often include excursions to local areas of interest. Students
stay in dorms and use college gyms and dining halls.
Participation in these summer programs can provide an advantage in
making decisions about which college best suits a student’s needs. Contact
a college of your choice to see if they offer “pre-college summer
programs.” |
