School’s out for summer! This means students of all ages have some time off from learning and more time to participate in other things.
If you want to make an impact this summer, consider spending some time volunteering.
There are lots of different opportunities to volunteer, so there is sure to be something that is a good fit for you.
Plus, you can often volunteer for a program that lines up with future career goals, so you can get some experience on the books.
TEENS TRADE CELL PHONES AND CREATURE COMFORTS FOR MANUAL LABOR AT SUMMER ‘WORKCAMP’
Here are a few volunteer opportunities you can look for this summer.
- Participate in or host a local park, beach or forest clean-up
- Find a museum volunteer program
- Volunteer at a local hospital or health-related organization
- Be a mentor for kids through the Boys & Girls Club
- Take care of animals in need at a shelter
- Participate in a walk for a cause
- Coach a sports team
- Start your own organization
Visit a nearby beach to participate in a cleanup, so everyone can continue to enjoy the space. (Jesus Merida/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
1. Participate in or host a local park, beach or forest cleanup
You probably want to spend some time soaking in vitamin D in the summer, so finding outdoor volunteer opportunities is ideal during this time of year.
Park, beach or forest cleanups are a great opportunity to clean up your community and also spend some time outside.
With a quick online search, you will more than likely find cleanups that are happening in your area.
You can also get your friends together and organize your own cleanup.
BE WELL: STAY HYDRATED IN THE SUMMER HEAT WITH THESE SMART TIPS
Word of mouth can go a long way, so you may be able to gather a pretty large number of people to clean your local parks and/or beaches.
You don’t have to wait for an organized cleanup to come around. You can always get a group together yourself to pick up trash in a local area. (Emanuele Cremaschi/Getty Images)
2. Find a museum volunteer program
Museums are often looking for volunteers to assist staff and also share knowledge with visitors.
There are many different types of museums, so you can choose one to volunteer at that aligns with your interests.
Volunteering at a museum can assist you in your future career endeavors if you choose a setting that matches your career goals. For example, if you have an aptitude for science, look for different science-based museums to volunteer for.
3. Volunteer at a local hospital or health-related organization
Hospitals often look to volunteers to interact with patients, answer phone calls, run information and provide support to nurses.
Giving some of your time to assist in a hospital setting can be very rewarding and fulfilling.
Hospitals are always looking for volunteers to help with day-to-day tasks. (Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
4. Be a mentor for kids through the Boys & Girls Club
There are Boys & Girls Club locations throughout the United States looking for volunteers.
If you enjoy working with children, this could be a great volunteer opportunity for you. You could make a lasting impact on young children that they will remember for a long time.
10 OF THE COOLEST WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT THIS SUMMER
You could also volunteer at a summer camp or program.
5. Take care of animals in need at a shelter
If you love animals, look to an animal shelter for volunteering.
Some common responsibilities of volunteers are cleaning cages, filling food and water bowls, walking dogs and simply spending time with the animals.
Shelters are a great place for volunteers who love animals. Also, the summer allows for nice weather to take the dogs outside for some fresh air. (Ashley Chan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Other places you could volunteer if you want to work with animals are a local aquarium or a zoo.
6. Participate in a walk for a cause
There are lots of charity walks/runs that happen throughout the year that raise both money and awareness for certain causes.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
If there aren’t any walks happening in your area, you could organize your own and raise money for a cause of your choosing.
7. Coach a sports team
Did you play sports during your growing-up years?
If you did, this experience likely had a lasting impact on you. Maybe you even had a coach that made a big difference in your life.
You could help provide a positive experience for young athletes by volunteering your time and assisting a sports team.
Getting outside to coach a sports team or assist at a camp are great ways to give back to your community. (Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)
Whether you head back to your local high school to help the football team get ready for the season, work with a little league baseball team or volunteer at a sports summer camp, volunteering can help you get involved in sports again and help young athletes reach their full potential.
8. Start your own organization
If you’ve got some extra time on your hands this summer, and you’re extra ambitious, you might want to start your own organization.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The options here are endless. You could sell a product you make and donate the money to a group you are passionate about. You could organize a 5K run or a golf tournament to fundraise for a cause.
Any small thing you do could turn into a huge impact and potentially be something you continue for years to come.
