By Gale Hemmann
As the great writer Maya Angelou said, “You can’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. You have to throw something back.” Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community. It also has many other benefits: you’ll meet new people, learn about possible careers and gain valuable skills. On a practical note, volunteering is also a great way to build your resume and will enhance college and scholarship applications (colleges love to see a well-rounded applicant). In addition, for many Thurston County youth, volunteering fulfills a high school community service requirement needed for graduation.
With the spirit of helping out the community in mind, this ThurstonTalk writer talked to organizations around town to find some interesting volunteer options for teens.
Getting Started: Questions to Consider
Before you sign up for a volunteer experience, ask yourself these questions: What type of time commitment can you make? Do you want to do something just for the summer, or longer? Are there certain careers you’d like to explore, or causes you’d especially like to support? What about transportation considerations? Do some research to find the right opportunity for you. You will also want to check out age requirements for volunteering. (All of the positions below are teen-friendly. You may also want to read this ThurstonTalk article for more ideas, including ways to volunteer with your parents or guardian.)
If you’re fulfilling school community service hours, make sure to check with your school career center to make sure the opportunity qualifies. Finally, safety is important: make sure to volunteer with a well-established organization.
As a seasoned volunteer (I currently help out at a cat shelter) the best advice I can give you from my own experience is to match up with an organization you’re passionate about. If you feel that you are really learning something or making a difference, your experience can be life-changing.
Some Great Volunteer Options around Town
Get Theatrical
- Harlequin Productions: Interested in a career in theater? Learn about behind-the-scenes production at Harlequin Productions. Teen volunteers help with set building and striking, spotlights, and more. Volunteer shifts are four hours per week.
- Olympia Family Theater: Olympia Family Theater (OFT) is a fun, family-friendly theater group with many opportunities for teens. They are looking for teens who love working with youngsters and assisting with educational programs. They always welcome backstage help, and this summer they are looking for help moving to their new space, as well as for a student representative to help connect other theater-loving teens with OFT.
Photo courtesy of Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum
Bring Local History to Life
- Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum: Did you know that the Bigelow House is Olympia’s oldest residence? Help with outdoor work parties or volunteer as a docent at this historic venue. The museum is part of the Olympia Historical Society, which also welcomes high-schoolers who love history to help photograph historic locations around town. They are also looking for a tech-savvy teen to help with their website (perhaps as Culminating Project for a rising senior).
Promote Bicycle Riding
- Intercity Transit: Do you love riding a bicycle? Are you passionate about teaching others about ways to get active and help the environment? Volunteer at the Intercity Transit Build-a-Bike program over the summer. Teens can help teach younger students about bicycle safety and the environmental and health benefits of riding a bike at various summer camps, and learn about bike repair at weekly Wednesday work sessions. (Regular volunteers can work toward earning their own rebuilt bicycle.)
Get Outdoors
- Stream Team: Stream Team offers two types of volunteer opportunities for teens. One is to serve as a “stream bug” monitor, helping collect aquatic insect samples. This would be a great fit for a rising senior interested in science and biology. Trainings and transportation to collection sites are provided. Another option is to help staff a Stream Team table at local festivals this summer. Volunteers will help run games and should be excited about talking with the public.
- Volunteers in Parks: The City of Olympia’s Park Stewardship Program has many opportunities for volunteers to get involved in helping maintain and beautify the city’s parks. You can help with work parties doing trail maintenance, weeding and mulching, painting park signs, and more.
Share Your Technology Skills
- Teen Tech Tutors: Are you computer-savvy? You might enjoy joining the Olympia Timberland Library’s Teen Tech Tutors program. These teens help library patrons of all ages and skill levels learn to perform different computer tasks, from email to Facebook to Microsoft Word. Teen participants have a great time and gain skills working with people.
Keep the Community Safe
- City of Olympia Police Explorers Program: Think you might be interested in a career in law enforcement? Consider joining the City of Olympia’s Police Explorers program. Learn about many aspects of law enforcement and keeping your community safe. Explorers gain real-world field experience at local summer events such as Lakefair. This program is open to teens over 15, and some requirements apply. This opportunity is a longer-term option that will last beyond the summer.
Help Educate about the Environment
- WET Science Center: The LOTT WET Science Center teaches the public all about water resources with hands-on educational exhibits for kids and adults. Water Squad Volunteers help greet and assist visitors. Outgoing teens ages 13 and older welcome.
Help Animals
- Animal Services: Love helping animals? Joint Animal Services always needs reliable volunteers to help with many aspects of animal care, from cleaning kennels and socializing animals to community outreach events. They welcome volunteers ages 14 and older. You must attend an orientation session and commit to at least six months. (Teens 17 and older can also help out at Wolf Haven International, and those 18 and over can help at For Heaven’s Sake Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation.)
Help People in Need
- ROOF Community Services: Rochester Organization of Families (ROOF) is an organization that provides social services to those living in the Rochester area. They welcome high school student volunteers to help in their Food Bank, help with craft and reading activities for kids, and assist with a back-to-school supplies drive.
- The Food Bank: The Thurston County Food Bank needs volunteers several times a week to help sort and prepare food for people to pick-up. Volunteers over 12 are welcome without a parent. They recommend you start out by attending an orientation session.
These opportunities represent just a sample of what’s out there. Don’t see exactly what you’re looking for? Try contacting an organization that you’re interested in to see if they have any volunteer positions available.
Making the Most of Your Experience
Follow through on your commitment – treat it like a job. Though volunteering should be enjoyable, organizations count on volunteers to fulfill their mission, and they will be depending on you. If your volunteer position isn’t exactly what you had in mind, talk to the supervisor in charge about how you can make it a better fit. And as your volunteer experience winds down, be sure to ask you supervisor for a letter of recommendation and get their contact information. (If you’re doing community service hours for school, be sure to complete the appropriate paperwork.)
And finally, have fun. You will enjoy meeting like-minded people, and you will feel inspired by the difference you’re making in the lives of those you help. With some volunteer work mixed into your summer plans, your school break will be not just fun, but meaningful too.
