Volunteer Opportunities for High School Students

Finding ways to give back is an incredible way to spend your time, especially for high school students looking for something to do. You can discover new interests, build useful skills, and meet others who are interested in similar cause areas as you, building community through service. Plus, if your high school requires community service hours to graduate, choosing a volunteer opportunity that you’re interested in can ensure you have a meaningful experience.

Whether you’re passionate about helping people, protecting the environment, working with kids, or supporting important causes behind the scenes, there’s a volunteer opportunity out there for you. Discover five popular volunteer opportunities that are well-suited for high school students, offering flexible ways to get involved while learning, growing, and giving back.

1. Spend time with people in hospice care

Hospices rely on volunteers willing to spend a few hours a week providing companionship to patients. Often, these types of opportunities ask participants to play games, have conversations, or talk with individuals in hospice care to support people with terminal illness and their families. They are fantastic volunteer opportunities for high school students to provide compassionate care to others.

2. Clean up a local park, water source, or trail

If you enjoy spending time outside, then volunteering to help maintain and clean up the outdoors may be the perfect opportunity for you. Trash and litter can quickly turn a beautiful location into a place no one can enjoy, so it’s important for clean-up efforts to help re-beautify the natural spaces we hold dear. You’ll be proud of the hard work you put in to make your local park, water source, or trail accessible to the community.

3. Provide tutoring and homework help

Community groups, educational nonprofits, and other organizations recruit high school students to provide peer tutoring, or assist younger students with homework help. These types of volunteer opportunities are perfect for someone who loves working with children, or has experience with tutoring.

4. Help more kids experience the joy of recreational sports 

Are you a star soccer player? Love throwing a football? Can’t get enough of pick-up basketball? There are so many organizations dedicated to helping more kids experience the joy of recreational sports. Show off your athletic ability by improving access to free or low-cost sports activities as a coach or trainer.

5. Join a “Done in a Day” volunteer opportunity

For teens who can’t commit to a long-term volunteer position, Idealist’s “Done in a Day” filter is the perfect way to find opportunities that only require a few hours of your time. Volunteer to help out at an event, serve food at a local pantry, build supply kits, plant trees, and more!

There are so many ways to participate in community service. Find a volunteer opportunity that appeals to your interests, skills, and availability and start helping others today!