There is nothing like summer vacation as a teenager! With summer comes endless possibilities. It can be a chance to laze around and catch up on all of that terrible TV you missed during the school year, or it can be a learning and growing experience in your own community. Leave the couch behind and spend time volunteering this summer. Volunteering can help you learn new skills, understand more about your professional interests, and give you something to put on your resume for college applications and future paid positions!

Read on for summer volunteer ideas for teens.

Nursing Homes Why turn to your television for a good story this summer, when you could hear real life experiences from seniors in your local retirement community? Being around young people helps old people recreate memories. Volunteer tasks at nursing homes could include: office work; setting up the dining room; pushing wheelchairs; playing checkers, cards, and puzzles; having a conversation; delivering mail; helping write letters; reading aloud; cooking projects, and art projects.

Camp Consider volunteering at a nearby summer camp. Even if you’re too young to be a paid full-time counselor, look into counselor-in-training programs at a camp you’ve attended. CITs are usually 16 or 17 years old, depending on the camp. Volunteering at a camp combines the experience of volunteering with the fun of summer camp!

Hospitals If you’re interested in medicine, volunteering at your local hospital might be just the thing for you. Just call a hospital in your area and ask to speak to the volunteer coordinator. Volunteer tasks at hospitals keep it fresh, with tasks varying from stocking supplies, transporting patients with a nurse, making some pharmacy deliveries, bringing books to patients, sitting and talking to patients, and reading to patients.

Animal Shelters Why coo over pictures of cute animals online when you could play with them at your local animal shelter? Local animal shelters and vets are a great place to start looking for opportunities. Volunteer tasks may range from walking or playing with the animals, answering phones, escorting animals in and out, and cleaning the kennels. Look up veterinary offices and animal shelters and hospitals in your area and ask to speak to the office manager how you can help.

Libraries If you’re a big reader or just looking for a cool place to escape the summer sun, volunteering at your local library might be right for you. Library volunteers work in a variety of positions including the computer center, re-shelving books, and aiding with the children’s programs. Ask to speak to someone in volunteer services at your local library.

Are you volunteering somewhere during your summer vacation? Let us know in the comments below!