We found a pretty awesome blog post over at Parent Society with some great tips on how to make Spring Break a chance to bring volunteering to your kids’ break! Check out these 10 Ways to Volunteer Your Spring Break from our friend Carissa Rogers!
Posts Tagged ‘Volunteering with Kids’
10 Ways to Volunteer Your Spring Break
Thursday, March 29th, 20128 Tips for Having an Awesome Family Volunteer Experience
Thursday, November 17th, 2011
Volunteering as a family is a great way to spend time together and make a difference in your community! While you never need an excuse to volunteer together, this Saturday is Family Volunteering Day, so it’s a great time to volunteer as a family or start a new tradition of service!
If you’re looking to start a tradition of volunteering in your family, but aren’t sure where to begin we’ve got some great ideas to get you started.
Don’t rush into it! We know you’re excited, but taking a little bit of time together as a family to talk about where you want to volunteer and what you want to do goes a long way to making sure everyone has a great time and is excited to volunteer together again!
Look for the best fit. You and your family might be tempted to volunteer at the first opportunity that looks right for all of you, but look for a few opportunities that everyone can agree on. Your perfect project might not be the first one you find!
Start small. Think about volunteering at a one-time event for your first family volunteer event. It’s a great way to find out if volunteering with that organization is a good fit for your family. Participating in a few different one-time events gives your family the opportunity to learn what they like to do most when they volunteer.
Find out what’s expected. It’s a good idea to do a little bit of homework before your family’s first volunteer event. Ask the Volunteer Manager what the age requirements are for the project, what appropriate dress looks like, how to be safe, or any other questions you might have before volunteering. If the organization you’re volunteering with has an orientation program, try to make sure that everyone in your family can attend the orientation.
Plan for success! Make sure you’ve planned to arrive on time and know where the volunteer site is. Showing up on time lets you make sure that your family doesn’t miss any important information they might need to have a successful and fun volunteer experience.
Be like Axl Rose. All you need is a little patience (). Smaller children might have a harder time paying attention or staying on task. Be patient with them and praise their small successes!
Take time to reflect on your accomplishments. Taking the time to talk about what you did as a family after volunteering makes the experience more real. Take some time to talk about what you did, why you did it, how you felt and what you learned. It doesn’t have to be just on the drive home! Use this as an opportunity to add to the tradition. Have the conversation about volunteering as part of a special treat.
Share your experience! Share your volunteer experience with friends and family members and encourage them to join you the next time you volunteer as a family!
Are you looking for more tips for having a great time volunteering as a family? Check out generationOn’s resources for having an awesome experience volunteering as a family.
Do you volunteer with your family? Are you volunteering with your family for the first time this weekend? Tell us about it in the comments!
Related articles
- 15 Benefits of Family Volunteering
- 10 Tips for Family Volunteering Fun!
- 7 Ideas for Volunteering With Your Kids
65 Easy Ways For Kids to Make A Difference!
Friday, September 23rd, 2011Sharing
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Seniors love your artwork! Brighten walls – and smiles – at the local senior center.
- Got a favorite game? Teach it to younger kids.
- Win brownie points! Organize canned goods at home and take extras to a food pantry.
- Got talent? Share it!
- Your old backpack needs a new friend…donate it!
- Gather up outgrown, gently worn shoes and clothes for your local Salvation Army, Goodwill, church or synagogue.
- Party leftovers? Local soup kitchen guests are gonna love ‘em!
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Neglected stuffies in your room? Little kids at shelters are aching to cuddle them.
- Like a challenge? Your game board skills are in demand at the senior center.
- Friend forgot their snack? Share yours!
- Read aloud to little kids at the library – they’ll love you!
- Dust off your old – but still good – books and give them to your school library.
Giving
- It’s your birthday! Give a gift to someone in need.
- Share your lemonade stand $$$ with your favorite worthy cause!
- How about a toy drive for kids stuck in the hospital?
- Get a haircut! And give your ponytail to Locks of Love.
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Got old sports equipment? Bring it to your local Parks & Rec!
- Calling all chefs! Bake cakes and donate the proceeds.
- Feed your furry friends at the animal shelter…drop off a bag of food!
- Time is precious…share a bit of yours to help others.
- Kind words lift spirits…give a compliment and lift yours too.
Conserving
- Compost your fruit and veggie scraps…and watch your garden BLOOM!
- Help save a gazillion disposable water bottles…reusable bottles rule!
- Save a tree! Use both sides of your notebook paper.
- Reuse, recycle. Reuse, recycle. Reuse, recycle. Got it?!
- Keep the earth cool…walk, bike or use public transportation.
- Got energy? Pick up trash! Remember: wear gloves & work with an adult.
- Your town doesn’t recycle? Yikes! Create a program now!
- Nourish your neighborhood green spaces…grow a community garden.
- Like clean air? Grab your friends and plant trees.
- Drat those petroleum-based plastic bags! Use fabric bags instead – for everything!
- Buzz your town selectmen for more neighborhood trashcans and recycling bins.
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Want to save energy while leaping tall buildings in a single bound? Turn off the boob tube and play outside.
- Love surprises? Plant fall bulbs and flower seeds…and keep a weather eye for spring blossoms!
- “Turn off the lights!” Make switch plate reminders for your whole house.
- Save water and tons of $$$ – turn off the water when you brush teeth!
- Keep sturdy takeout containers for future leftovers.
- Transform colorful magazine pages, comics and more into artful projects and gift wrappers!
- Learn how to donate/recycle old computer stuff & post instructions (with permission!) at your local electronics stores.
- Breathe in nature…turn off the AC and open a window to the world.
Doing
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Whip up your favorite yummy snack and present it to a soup kitchen!
- Love history? Visit folks at the senior center and ask about the amazing things they’ve witnessed.
- Want to change the world? Practice random acts of kindness.
- Keep your brain sharp and body strong. Ask for healthy lunch options at school.
- Say “thank you!”…’tis music to your teachers’ ears.
- Seeking positive change? Ask your local government officials for help.
- Lead by your good example.
- New kid at school? Eat lunch with them!
- Volunteering? Invite your nearest and dearest along.
- Have an older neighbor? Rake their leaves or shovel their sidewalk!
- Need a cat or dog to snuggle? Visit the animal shelter.
- Help end poverty. Check out the UN Millennium Development Goals online.
- Make soldiers smile…send letters & goodies!
- There’s nothing like a warm hug…share one today.
- Show gratitude and write thank you notes!
- Get fit and have fun…start a neighborhood exercise group.
- Eating healthy? Partner up to share knowledge, tips and encouragement.
- Share a home cooked meal – and cheerful chat – with a homebound person.
- Got a big idea? Launch it with a community event!
- Friend on a mission? Help them!
- Tummy grumbling at the grocery store? Buy a canned good for the food pantry box.
- See somebody struggling with heavy bags or boxes? Lend a hand.
- Active voters make our country great. Ensure adults in your life are registered!
- Adorable pets await loving homes! Where? The animal shelter…tell your friends and family!
- Brighten the world…smile often!
Seven Tips for Helping Youth to Make an Impact
Friday, March 4th, 2011
Have you ever seen a child go down to a pond and throw rocks into it? They can do that for hours, partly because the big splashes are a sign of their impact. It’s easy to see that they’re the ones having an effect on their world, and it’s fun!
Youth volunteering can be the same way. If it’s easy to see the impact of their actions and there is fun built into the project, children and youth will want to volunteer.
Here are some tips for planning projects with youth that can have an impact:
- Let the youth be active in planning their project.
- Make sure the project relates to their talents.
- Plan the project so that the children work with people they care about.
- Be sure to point out how the project relates to community needs.
- If you’re a teacher planning a project, make sure the project relates to what is being taught in class.
- When you’re planning a project, make sure it’s easy to see how the children are working to solve a problem.
- Be sure to include a reflection piece after the project so the children can relate their work to the problem they’ve been addressing.
There are a lot of great resources for planning projects with youth and children at generationOn. Children and teens can get ideas for volunteer projects, share their stories of service, and let people know that they can make their mark on the world. Parents can get tips for volunteering as a family, teachers can get lesson plans to bring big and small volunteering projects into their classroom, and organizations can help youth to change the world through service.
Do you plan volunteer projects with students or youth? What have you found makes a volunteer project successful? Let us know in the comments!
Family Volunteer Ideas
Thursday, November 18th, 2010National Family Volunteer Day happens every year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. This year, it will take place on November 20, 2010. Now would be a good time to get ready for it by planning a project for your family. The following ideas for volunteering as a family come from our Tampa Bay affiliate, HandsOn Tampa Bay.
National Family Volunteer Day was created to inspire families with children young and old to give back, in any way they choose; volunteering with a local nonprofit, helping neighbors in need, or picking up litter at the local playground.
The growing movement makes it easy to nurture a tradition of family service and shows children that they can make a difference!
Think about organizing your own family volunteer project.
HandsOn Tampa Bay offers a few easy project ideas that can be done your own home or neighborhood since visiting an agency with small children can sometimes be overwhelming (for you and for them!)
- Donate Clothes for School Age Children Contact friends and family about your project and set a date and time to collect clean, wearable clothing for children and teenagers of all sizes. Supplies needed: boxes to hold the clothes. Time needed: 10 hours to plan, promote, accept and deliver donations.
- Knit Hats for the Homeless For ages 8-99. Supplies needed are: yarn. Time needed is up to you. Knit hats for people living in shelters or on the street.
- Create Snack Packs for Ronald McDonald House Residents For ages 6-99. Supplies needed are 1-gallon food storage bags, snack items like fruit cups, granola bars, trail mix, chewing gum. Maybe add a puzzle book and a pen. Time needed is shopping time and 2 hours to assemble and deliver. Parents of children in the hospital spend their days at the hospital. Having a snack pack with them saves them a trip to the vending machine or cafeteria.
- Toiletries for the Homeless For ages 6-99. Supplies needed are 1or 2-gallon size food storage bags, soap, washcloth, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, emery board, safety pins, shampoo, lotion, sewing kit, razor, etc. Set up an assembly line to fill the bags and have each child place each item in the bags. Time needed is shopping time and 2 hours to assemble and deliver.
- Conduct a School Supply Drive For ages 5-99. Supplies needed are backpacks, notebooks, pencils, folders, crayons, etc. Time needed is shopping, collecting, delivery time, (approximately 10 hours). Contact friends and family about your project and set a date and time to collect supplies.
- Host a Pet Food/Pet Toy Drive For ages 5-99. Set up a collection point, promote with family and friends.
- Create Greeting Cards For ages 5-99. Supplies needed are paper, markers, stickers, envelopes. Time needed is 2-3 hours to make cards and deliver to nursing homes, VA hospitals, Shriners.
- Pick Up Litter at Your Neighborhood Park For ages 8-99 Supplies needed are trash bags, gloves, rakes. Time needed is 2 hours. Leave your tied, filled bags near trash receptacle at park.
- “Adopt” a Neighborhood Senior or Disabled Person Help them with yard work, errands and meals. For ages 10-99 Supplies needed are yard tools. Time needed is 1-3 hours.
- Book Drive Gather new or gently used books for children staying in shelters For ages 5-99. Time needed is 10 hours.
- Welcome to the Neighborhood When a new family moves into the neighborhood make a welcome card, list of fun places locally, school calendar, and library information. For ages 5-99. Supplies needed are construction paper, markers. Time needed is 3 hours. Deliver to your new neighbor.
Is Your Volunteer Project Family Friendly?
Thursday, August 5th, 2010Whether you’re planning a family friendly project or looking for one, this family friendly volunteer project checklist will help you make sure the project is family friendly.
Family Friendly Volunteer Project Checklist
Is the physical environment family friendly?
- Will the physical space accommodate all the activities planned and volunteers attending?
- Is the physical space child-proof?
- Are there restrooms and water available?
- What accommodations have been made for first aid and emergency/CPR?
- Will there be anyone with technical expertise on site?
- Accommodations made for all ages
- Does the nonprofit or agency have volunteer insurance?
Has the project been developed in a child conscious way?
- The project description says it is family friendly – does it say what aged children are welcome?
- Does the project last no more than two to three hours if younger children are welcome?
- Have age-appropriate tasks been identified for children of all welcome age ranges?
- Will the children be acknowledged by staff or volunteer leaders?
- Will parents perceive the project as a valuable experience for children?
- If needed, will transportation be provided for children?
Will volunteers of all ages receive appropriate training?
- Will volunteers of all ages receive proper instruction upon arrival?
- is proper equipment available for all project tasks?
- Will clear, easy-to-understand directions be provided?
Will young volunteers be recognized?
- Will volunteers be greeted as a family and acknowledged by name?
- Does the project promise a fun atmosphere—smiles, fun, music?
- Is there a recognition or awards ceremony for volunteers – especially young ones?
Does the project allow families to serve together?
- Will families serve together?
- Will the volunteer projects tasks allow parents to stay with and supervise their children? If not, is there someone else who will?
- Will there be adequate supervision by both staff and volunteers?
- Does the project provide family-oriented practice in community leadership?
5 Reasons You Should Volunteer with Your Children
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010Again, summer’s coming…
Have you planned a service project to do with your kids yet?
You should volunteer with your children because youth volunteering:
1. Promotes a healthy lifestyle and choices
Kids who volunteer are less likely to become involved in at-risk behaviors.
2. Enhances development
Volunteering heightens psychological, social and intellectual development and growth.
3. Teaches life skills
Volunteering stimulates skills needed for a productive adulthood, including responsibility for tasks, teamwork, punctuality, cooperation, tolerance and problem solving.
4. Improves community
Kids have the opportunity to be active citizens and contributors to their communities.
5. Encourages a lifelong service ethic
Kids who volunteer at a young age learn the importance of service and have a higher probability of continuing to volunteer as an adult.
Take Action! Search for a project, evaluate the ones you find, start your own or join a Kids Care Club!
