The 2019 summer vacation is fast approaching, and though all you can think about is school being done and finally having time to relax and enjoy your long break, what is it that you’ll be doing – sitting on the couch all day with the fan on blast picking at your nails? Come on!

There’re so many great things to do, and volunteering is one of them. Volunteering is a great way to spend your summer as you’re not only helping people, you’ll learn about yourself and do some good work.

Hopefully, now you’re interested, and want to know more, so here are some volunteering opportunities and where are they located – keep reading to see 10 amazing ones!

Animal Rescue Shelter: There are lots of local animal shelters in the Highland area, for example the Highland Animal Shelter and the Highland Humane Society. You can gain many office skills from volunteering here such as answering emails, fielding phone calls, and providing general administrative assistance. You can even earn cash by making connections with staff or customer’s and offering to walk their dogs, it makes for a great part-time-job and you’re staying happy and healthy; I mean who doesn’t like animals?!

National Parks: Volunteering at a national park is more than just cleaning litter, if you like history or nature, this is defiantly the path to go. You can explore the fascinating historical sights and learn more about it history as you complete your volunteering hours. Places like the Mississippi River National Park or Fort Snelling are definitely a history buff’s dream come true.

Food Pantries: Food pantries and soup kitchens can always use a helping hand organizing things like food drives, raising money, or even simply handing out meals to those in need. Offering any of your services to these organization is great, some local food pantries include the Neighborhood House and Francis Basket Food Shelf.

Habitat for Humanity: Habitat for Humanity offers various locally targeted volunteer opportunities. If you’re interested in architecture, design, or engineering, then this program allows you to gain experience by completing home repair and maintenance. check out its A Brush With Kindness campaign or the Women Build program, designed specifically to help women learn construction skills. This will allow you to gain leadership, team-building and construction skills.

Local Libraries: Libraries, such as our own Highland library, never refuse help. They typically need help organizing shelves, setting up public events – such as book fairs, and much more. You can even ask to design ads for these events allowing you to add more to your resume!

Art Museums: If you’re interested in art, working in a art museum can allow you to gain invaluable experience. Surrounding yourself with timeless works of art you can soak up art knowledge and acquire administrative skills. If you’re interested, try the Minnesota Museum of American Art

Political Campaigns: If you’re passionate about government, politics and current news consider offering to help a local candidate you feel good about. No politician gets elected without volunteers manning the phones. This type of office work can help you gain valuable experience. It will also help you establish contacts if you’re interested in politics as a career

YMCA: At the YMCA, you can volunteer to help people of all ages, strengthening your leadership skills by teaching a class in any sport or activity you’re interested in. Check your local YMCA’s website, or simply walk in to find out more about their opportunities. whether you want to be active or gain desk job experience, the YMCA has something for you.

Retirement Homes: Retired people love exciting new classes or activities to try. Teaching these people something fun and interesting, while showing of you’re skills, seems like a wonderful volunteering opportunity. If you’re good at public speaking, maybe recite some poems or historical speeches. If you’re good with computers, lend you’re services to show the senior citizens how to use it. Whatever it may be chances are, they want to learn, but no one has ever taken the time to give them the proper instruction.

Red Cross: The American Red Cross has an extensive list of jobs available to help those in need and allows you to bolster your resume at the same time. If you don’t like giving blood, greeting and assisting customers could be an option. You’re skills may make you a good fit got multiple jobs such as grant writing, clerical tasks, and maintaining.

Volunteering doesn’t take any special skills or extensive experience – and there’s never a shortage of organizations looking for help. Now you have a multitude of ways to spend your summer, and no matter whether you are an animal person, or an art person, there’s one out there for you! So take this short list as inspiration and find your favorite! Who knows, maybe it’s the start of your lifelong success!

The list above is adapted from  https://www.moneycrashers.com/good-places-volunteer-opportunities-organizations/