Volunteer suggestions for a 13 year old?

[margo49]

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!!!!

[Jones]

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.

[Catrin]

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.

[malkin]

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

[lovelygamer]

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.

[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!

[Tri Girl]

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.

[salsabike]

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!

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.