Volunteer suggestions for a 13 year old?

My 13 year old daughter is too old for the summer camps in the area but too young to get working papers. I would like her to volunteer for the summer so she doesn't sit around idle all day. However, most places do not accept 13 year olds due to liability issues. We called a bunch of local day cares and a few nursing homes and they were pretty adamant that they don't accept 13 year olds so I'm at a loss. All the day camps in the area have "counselors-in-training" but you have to be 15. Anyone have any suggestions on places that would be happy to have a responsible 13 year old volunteer for the summer?

Thanks in advance.

Have you tried the public library? I was thinking helping out in the children's dept. Public libraries also have policies on volunteers and many do screen them.

What does she like doing as hobbies?

Thank you for the suggestion! I haven't tried the library but that's a good thought. My only concern is that they will probably want someone with working papers since they are technically government-run but it's definitely worth a shot. Coincidentally, she loves to read which is why it would be perfect. She likes kids, cooking and swimming as well.

I have a 13 yr old son and there aren't many places available, but we did find a couple. Don't know if your area has Cat Matchers. Cat Matchers helps to find homes for cats in need of a home. The cats are kept at Petco stores and they need volunteers to keep the enclosures clean, change out the cats bedding, groom/brush the cats, and play with the cats. They can also help out on adoption days. One of the local zoos has volunteer positions available at age 13. They work with the barnyard/petting zoo animals.

I'd have said "animal shelter", though that might be age-restricted. My public library was 16+.

The SPCA I volunteered at allowed kids, but they had to have a parent with them. I'm sure every place is different, but if the better known shelters don't allow it (the pound, SPCA) look at more specific, smaller rescues. Like reptile rescues :D

Come to think of it, there is also a reptile club I belong too. We do tend to collect younger members who aren't allowed reptiles in the house yet, they come out and help us with educational events. If your kid is interested in any kind of animal, there is probably a club for it.

Animal shelters. Maybe the city ones would require you to be 14, but what about private organizations (the no-kill animal sanctuaries)? Perhaps they would be more willing to accept a younger volunteer with letters of recommendation from teachers? I know many of them desperately need volunteers.

When I was thirteen I went around the neighborhood mowing lawns and washing cars for a summer job. I made a flyer and went door to door. I had about 10-12 customers. I was mowing lawns every day.

Volunteer ideas: if you attend a church or religious organization, there are probably things to help with weekly there. Cleaning, filing, etc. Local agencies like police/firefighters will sometimes take on young volunteers to help with inventory, washing vehicles, etc. We have a neighborhood garden you can volunteer working at . . .

Our library had a summer page program that accepted 13 year olds. it was only for an hour or two a week.

I manage a volunteer center. Your best bet for youth that young are as some mentioned: libraries, churches, animal rescue groups. Another good bet is a museums or historical mansions. Historical programs are much more willing to work with youth than other programs. Lastly, try the naturalist or eco-friendly organizations in your town. Sometimes those groups are willing to have youth represent for them and/or help during special events (fairs/festivals).

You will mostly have a bad time placing a youth with any agency that deals with a vulnerable population.

Also, another tip many parents don't realize. More agencies will be willing to work with your young child if you can volunteer WITH them! Good luck!

What about babysitting? I started when I was about 12 and the summer when I was 13 I made a TON of money babysitting a few days/evenings per week. My grandpa worked for the local chamber of commerce where I grew up...it was a really touristy area, so couples on vacation who wanted a romantic dinner out would hire me to watch their kids for a few hours. Those folks generally paid REALLY well.

I know I volunteered at a YMCA camp when I was about that age (I might've been 14, but my little sister worked there too). I wonder if there might be any information in a guidance counselor's office at her school or the local high schools? We were required to do community service every year to graduate from high school so programs that accepted younger students would usually contact our school to coordinate with volunteers.

I would have said animal shelter also.

Do you have any local animal parks or zoos? My daughter has been volunteering at the SF zoo since she was about 11 - so 5 years. They had a program where the kids work their way up handling, cleaning enclosures, etc., for different small animals in their rehab facility. She's worked her way up to hawks.

I have a friend who 'hired' a young neighbor girl as an au pair. Hired is in quotes, because while the girl was helpful to my friend and her baby, my friend provided supervision for the girl who was too young to be left alone.

The girl did receive a small amount of money, and she didn't know that her mom really was the one paying. ;)

Thank you all for your great suggestions!

I called the local library and they accept volunteers but they said they have a lot of demand but my daughter could stop by to see if there are openings. However, it's only 1-2 hours a week.

I also called a local historical organization and a nature society. Unfortunately she was too young for both. I called a religious organization but they weren't accepting volunteers. Fortunately there are many others I can call. There are no local zoos in the area which is why I called the nature center but that would have been very cool! I also left a message for the school guidance counselor but she did not return my call yet.

I haven't tried an animal shelter yet but that's next on my list. I also sent a note to several friends who have kids offering her services as a mothers helper. I'm wondering if it looks bad to potential volunteer coordinators to have me call, as opposed to having her call directly. She is away on a school trip which is why I placed the first couple of calls but I'm thinking if she is serious about volunteering, she should call. What do you think?

Please keep the ideas coming, they are appreciated. Thank you!!!

Send her to my kibbutz! We would soon put her to work!
My children worked 2 afternoons a week during school time, 50% of all the school holidays, one afternoon with the kids' farm, occasional work setting up community Holiday celebrations....all from the age of 10! By the time they were 15 or 16 and "ready and willing and able" to get into real trouble they were already valued members of their workplaces - hence that was where they went; and not to hang out aimlessly waiting for something to happen and do "stupid teenage stuff"
A society who neglect to offer Real Work for its young people deserves all the trouble it brings on itself ! (oops! that got a bit rant-y!)

Could she do tutoring, either from home or go to kids' places. Is there one of those centres like for homework but in the summer near you?

Good on you - this is a brilliant parenting strategy....You ARE mom enough!!!!

What about a Jr. Lifeguard program at the local pool? Also our local club swim and Boys and Girls club use kids to help teach swimming. Is she too young to be a Candy Stripper or Volunteen at the Hospital? Baby Cuddler for the premature birth babies (my dream job). We have the Desert AIDS Project that takes lots of volunteers and their thrift shop.

I don't work for the kind of organizations you are calling, but I would think they would like the contact from you, at least initially. Considering her age that lets them know that you are on-board with it, it can't hurt.

Thinking of some of the private no-kill shelters in my area, I would think that they could use all of the help they can get with grooming, or at least handling/socializing the animals.

I'd go ahead and make calls for her. It shows that she (and they) will have your support

It doesn't look bad for you to call. It's totally normal for moms to call me, looking for volunteer work for their children. I mean, its awesome if the child calls too but sometimes it's easier to work with the mother when it comes to details and specific questions about maturity, transportation, etc.

I hope you have some luck with the animal shelters.

Thank you again for the responses. I made some headway!!

I called several places today and it looks like there are a couple of places willing to accept young volunteers. A local hospital is looking for candy stripers. She has to apply in person and go through a training program but her age does not seem to be an issue. There is a also a local no kill animal shelter that accepts volunteers. I left a message and am hoping to hear back. I also heard from a town "Seniors program". Apparently they serve lunch to seniors in the area on weekdays and are looking for volunteers to serve/wait on them. They have asked us to come back in June and apply but in the meantime, I'll drive her to the shelter and the hospital to see if we can work something out.

The best case scenario is that she spreads the love and volunteers at several places even if its only a couple of hours a day at each place. I'm crossing my fingers that something works out for her. She really loved volunteering for "midnight run". The issue is the midnight run thing became tiring for me!!! Thanks again!

Good luck! Sounds like you have some good options (I didn't know they still had candy stripers- too cool). Let us know what she winds up doing. :)

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Originally Posted by jyyanks

Thank you again for the responses. I made some headway!!

I called several places today and it looks like there are a couple of places willing to accept young volunteers. A local hospital is looking for candy stripers. She has to apply in person and go through a training program but her age does not seem to be an issue. There is a also a local no kill animal shelter that accepts volunteers. I left a message and am hoping to hear back. I also heard from a town "Seniors program". Apparently they serve lunch to seniors in the area on weekdays and are looking for volunteers to serve/wait on them. They have asked us to come back in June and apply but in the meantime, I'll drive her to the shelter and the hospital to see if we can work something out.

The best case scenario is that she spreads the love and volunteers at several places even if its only a couple of hours a day at each place. I'm crossing my fingers that something works out for her. She really loved volunteering for "midnight run". The issue is the midnight run thing became tiring for me!!! Thanks again!

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Those all sound wonderful! And, by the way, MY mom made me volunteer at a kids' camp when I was 15, and it was a wonderful, total life-changer. It's a great thing to do.