Volunteer Ideas

If you couldn't find a local position that fit your interests on our website, here are some helpful suggestions and ideas that will bring you closer to finding that perfect volunteer position.

Help Your Neighbors
- provide service to seniors or to others who have difficulty leaving their homes – raking, shovelling ( no snow blowers), shopping (students should not drive vehicles for this purpose), visiting, reading, meal preparation
- assist a neighbour with child care – take child to park, watch child while parent prepares dinner
- tutor younger students – read, take to library, help with homework

Help Your Community
- volunteer at a seniors’ home/centre – visit, read, play cards or board games, take seniors for walks, crafts
- help organize local community events – food drives/banks
- take part in environmental initiatives – cleaning and recycling operations, park cleanup, planting trees and flower beds (students should not use power tools – lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, wood chippers etc.)
- get involved in charitable activities – walk-a-thons, daffodil sales, canvassing for organizations
- assist with sports teams – community leagues, parks & recreation programs
- volunteer in leadership role with community groups – youth groups
- volunteer in hospitals or libraries
- volunteer with social service or animal welfare agencies
- get involved in the democratic political process – scrutineer, canvassing, campaigning
- service through religious communities/places of worship
- assist with literacy initiatives – at local libraries, day care centres, community centres

Help Out at School
- help with sports teams – run skills drills, assist coach
- help in the library – shelving books, tidying up, changing bulletin boards
- tutor other students – help with homework, review difficult concepts
- assist students with special needs – peer buddy
- assist with planning of arts or athletic events – do publicity, set up for track meets, sell tickets, attend coat check, offer technical support
- facilitate school events such as parent information nights – meet and greet visitors, give guided tours, serve refreshments
- assist with environmental activities – encourage recycling, plant trees, flowers, work on grounds crew (but students should not use power tools)
- participate in charitable initiatives – food drives, holiday drives for toys or food
- sit on school councils, committees – school governance, be a peer mentor/mediator, help with orientation of grade 9 students 

Here are some more volunteer ideas to look into:

Camp
Too old for camp, but too young to be a paid counselor? Become a Counselor In-Training! If you’ve ever wanted to be a camp counselor, you should find out about the Counselor in Training  (CIT) program at a camp you’ve attended. CIT programs will help you immensely with leadership and communication skills. Although you are volunteering your services, camps tend to give their CITs freebees, such as, a portion of their camp fee is waived. Also, keep in mind that you are training for a future paid position as a counselor. As you can see, there are plenty of benefits that come along with being a CIT. Call your camp director or visit your camp’s website to find out what positions are available and what requirements are needed. CITs are usually 14 – 16 years old, but this varies from camp to camp.

Sports
Whether your sport is hockey, soccer, gymnastics, baseball, figure skating, dance or whatever... why not play it for your volunteer hours?! Help train and coach younger and/or lower level teams. Volunteering for sports teams is a very fulfilling experience as you will help develop the athlete’s teamwork, leadership  and athletic skills. Share your knowledge of the sport and help others learn to love the sport as much as you do! You may run drills and exercises to assist coaches and improve the skills of the athletes. However, the key responsibilities and tasks vary from sport to sport. If you are a proficient athlete who is interested in such a position, contact the organization or coach you are currently playing for or have played for in the past, and ask about any opportunities that exist where you can help younger athletes flourish!

Places of Worship
Are you religious? Whatever your faith may be, volunteer your time to your religion and your community! In Canada, there are almost 31,000 places of worship established for Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and many other religious bodies. Our country is a cultural mosaic that promotes and cherishes religious freedom. Volunteer and contribute to your religious organization’s cumulative impact on society. Help out with the organization of religious events, fundraisers and youth educational programs (such as Sunday School). Contact your local religious building for more information on how you can help!