Best type of service work?

Parents Forum
#1

<p>Just wondered if anyone had suggestions on good, interesting service opportunities for early HS students? My son will be in 9th grade next year, and we're looking into starting some public service work this summer. </p>

<p>From what I've read of the 'resumes' of kids on this forum, it seems beneficial to start something (that the student finds rewarding), then stick with it for a few years (so can say 'have x number of hours doing this.' Plus it would show commitment and give the student some continuity w/a project. </p>

<p>Son has great interest/ability in math (& science, somewhat) so don't know if these can be incorporated?</p>

#2

<p>My D tutored at the Boys and Girls Club for a while and really enjoyed that. Since your S likes math, I'm sure it would be beneficial for some of the children there. My D has a great interest in law and is nearing the end of year two serving on our county teen court. How 'bout getting involved in a cause such as the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, or something that may tug at your S from personal experiences. Is he very good in a sport that he could share with others, i.e. volunteer his time for swim lessons or tennis lessons, etc.? There are so many things out there to do in the community. Habitat for Humanity is a great service organization, too. Your S's school may have a chapter there.</p>

#3

<p>Thanks, SplashMom, those are great ideas. I'll try the Boys & Girls Clubs! Hadn't thought of that!</p>

<p>Son does karate--he'll probably teach that at his karate school in a few years. Good thought that he could incorporate it into service, too (maybe we'll ask the school owner!).</p>

<p>I'm doing charity for Habitat--that could be an option for son, although they won't let you on site to do actual labor until you are 16.</p>

<p>Again--thanks!</p>

#4

<p>Encourage your son to look at <a href="http://www.congressionalaward.org%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.congressionalaward.org&lt;/a> it is another nice way to get recognition for all of your hard work in academics, physical fitness, community service and exploration of the world around you. Both of my Ds have done this program (one received her medal in DC last year and the other will receive hers next year).<br>
Look at what your community needs are there are several sites like <a href="http://www.volunteermatch.org/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.volunteermatch.org/&lt;/a> which list opportunities for service in your community. </p>

<p>Since your son is into Karate he might think about contacting local Girls Scouts, Cub Scouts etc. about doing demonstrations on Karate and self-defense for them. This could probably be done with his karate school who could benefit by increasing awareness of his school while teaching safety to the community.</p>

<p>Ongoing service is important however time constraints for students often finds them groaning as they go off to volunteer. You might have your son look at organizations that need help 3-4 times a year at events/fundraisers that require short term intensive help. Like the Susan B Kolman foundation, Special Olympics etc.. As a Girl Scout Leader for teens I've found that the girls who want to volunteer their time are usually the busiest group of kids around so time constraints are important to consider. My 9th grade girls often find themselves over-committed as they adjust to high school and joining band, debate, drama, math olympiad etc. so short term projects with the same organization seem to work the best for them.</p>

#5

<p>Since your S likes karate and math, he could teach karate to younger kids or some kind of exercises. Or he could do volunteer work of other kinds such as being Big Brother. As a math lover, he could join the math and science clubs/teams at his school and take part in math competitions such as AMC and science competitions such as First Robotics (currently underway, check out the thread in Parents Cafe) and Science Olympiads, ROV, etc...</p>

#6

<p>Thanks for those great links, WaitingMom! I'm looking forward to checking them out. And true, true about the time constraints (can see it coming, w/the HS schedule looming plus extra curiculars! We'll look into those 'few times a year' ideas (& get started this summer!).</p>

<p>Marite--those are good ideas! We are already practicing (somewhat) for the AMC and looking into other competitions (I found them <em>all</em> out by perusing <em>this</em> website---no info <em>at all</em> from his middle school).
I'll suggest the math team (give him time to consider the idea for next year). Thanks!</p>

#7

<p>Thank you WaitingMom! Those sites were really great =)!</p>

<p>I would suggest that your son try something that has to do with whatever profession he wants to pursue. It will be a way for him to find out if he really likes the idea.
For example, I want to be a doctor. When I volunteer I always look for things that will make me a better doctor; I try to gain skills that will help me in the future. So, does he know what he wants to do?</p>

#8

<p>We did beach cleanup, food banks, volunteering at the zoo, worked with handicapped people, all kinds of stuff..it is good to do something out of son's comfort zone- ie tutoring is good, but try and find something different as well. This is not just for resume, but for son. My Ds grew so much doing things that were not easy. Doing math teams and the like is all well and good, but it doesn't take the student into another world- working at a soup kitchen, making sandwiches and delivering them to the homeless. This is the time to try a few things and see what fits. We did the food bank for two years in middle school. We did beach cleanup once a month (no beach- every city has cleanups at public parks). Getting a little dirty and tired puts things in perspective.</p>

<p>Have your son stretch his wings. And find a couple of other kids to do it with. That makes it fun. When we would sort fruit, the girls would "race" to finish first. By the way, kiwis are the hardest to sort!!</p>

#9

<p>Probably the two coolest places that I've frequently (There are a few others, but they're more so on an annual basis) volunteered at are at the Humane Society and at the Southwest Michigan Ronald McDonald House (which is a bit of a distance away from us but is still worth our time-Check to see if one's within a reasonable distance of you).</p>