<p>I know that a lot of us college-bound students put in countless hours of volunteer work in an attepmt to stand out in the sea of college applications. I also know that a lot of volunteer work is considered mainstream and very unoriginal. So what is considered unique volunteering? Do you have to start your own corporation for needy kids in Africa to be considered a great volunteer? What ideas do you guys have?</p>
<p>Well, starting your own “corporation”( wrong word!) for ‘needy’ kids in Africa isn’t considered volunteering necessarily- it’s an EC of its own stature. Unique volunteering essentially is anything you put yourself into passionately. Volunteering even at a hospital can be ‘unique’ if you take that iniative and change things you see need development, or take on a huge leadership role yourself. It’s not where you volunteer but what you do. There are however unique volunteering roles that are rare in that not many kids do it. And you have to find those opportunities yourself. But the underlying message is that you have to take on responsibilities and take iniative! That will really show that your ‘1,000’ hours or so have really contributed to the community.</p>
<p>I think that Eagle Scout and Gold Award projects are good because they require, basically, the “creation” of a volunteer position, and subsequently filling the position and accomplishing a task. As Scared4College says, these are projects that “take initiative!”</p>
<p>I think it is looks better to spend fewer hours creating something that will make a lasting impact on your community than to spend more hours showing up to volunteer as a “fill in the blank” volunteer position that had openings. The Eagle Scout and Gold Award projects require proposals, budgets, and leadership skills, and the projects need to be presented and defended (like a thesis) when complete. </p>
<p>All Eagle Scout and Gold Award projects are unique. Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts can’t do a project that has already been done or there is no need for the project. “Filling a need” is one of the requirements for the award.</p>
<p>You could search the web for examples scouts have done for Eagle Scout or Gold Award projects. You might get some good ideas for projects you would want to take on yourself.</p>
<p>Check what Jenna, Shanna, Kristin, Kristen and Kaylee did.
[2008</a> National Honorees](<a href=“Invest, Insure, Retire and Plan | Prudential Financial”>Invest, Insure, Retire and Plan | Prudential Financial)</p>
<p>My daughter worked and crewed on an historic tall ship. Combined her love of history and her love of sailing.</p>