Teen Volunteer Opportunities

Actuary Science – The Actuarial Boot Camp is an intensive and interactive one-week camp that provides students with the opportunity to learn about the actuarial profession. It is sponsored by the CT Insurance & Financial Services Association and held in Hartford. For more information visit: Actuarial Boot Camp

Aerospace/Aviation – The CT Civil Air Patrol runs a cadet program for teens. Contact: www.ctwg.cap.gov .

Archeology & Anthropology – Friends of the Office of the CT State Archeologist (FOSA) utilizes volunteers to preserve the state's archeological and historical heritage. Visit: www.FOSA-CT.org .

Children. Assist library staff in the Children's Department of the Somers Public Library. Visit the library to request an application form, or call 860-763-3501.

NEW! Citizen Science. What are citizen scientists? They are any member of the general public, including high school students, that participate in scientific research by collecting data and submitting it on-line. There are more than 3,000 formal and informal scientific research projects listed and you can choose from many different topics and break them down by state: blog.scistarter.org/2022/03/how-to-be-a-citizen-scientist-a-beginners-guide/

Environment/Outdoors (local) – The Northern CT Land Trust (McCann Farm and Whitaker Woods in Somers) seeks volunteers to assist with trail maintenance. Visit: www.northernctlandtrust.org .

Environmental/Climate Change (state) – Sunrise is a movement of young people to halt climate change and create jobs in the process with chapters across the state and country: Sunrise Movement .

NEW! Environment/Outdoors (Somers) - This is a state-wide volunteer project of the Dept. of Energy & Environmental Protection. Volunteers collect "macroinvertebrates" from local streams, including those in Somers, to check the health of our streams. See: portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Water/Inland-Water-Monitoring/Riffle-Bioassessment-by-Volunteers-RBV .

Environment/Outdoors (New England based) – The Appalachian Mountain Club offers a Teen Trail Crew Volunteer Program for 1-3 weeks in the Berkshires. See: Teen Volunteer Crew Information .

Environmental/Outdoors (National Program) – Get involved with the Student Conservation Association (SCA). Their mission is to build the next generation of conservation leaders and to inspire life long stewardship of the environment. They do this by engaging young people in hands-on service in our national park system. Applications are due in March of each year: SCA .

Environment/Outdoors GAP Year Program– NOLS (the National Outdoor Leadership School) is a leader in wilderness education. Learn outdoor medical and technical skills, environmental ethics and leadership skills. Go to: Gap Year Programs .

NEW! Citizen Science. What exactly are Citizen Scientists? These are people at all ages and all walks in life that can participate in scientific research. Citizen Scientists collect data for a research project and submit data on-line. You can contribute to science through more than 3,000 formal and informal research projects, and can choose among many topics. blog.scistarter.org/2022/03/how-to-be-a-citizen-scientist-a-beginners-guide/

• Health/Medicine (local) – The Teen Volunteer Program at Johnson Memorial Hospital has positions in clinical nutrition, obstetrics, pharmacy, the emergency room and much more. See JMH Volunteer .

• Health/Medicine (regional) – Learn to administer hypertension screenings and assist with patient triage at the Migrant Farm Worker Clinic. Contact the CT Central Area Health Education Network at www.centralctahec.org .

• Health/Medicine (Springfield) - The Baystate/Springfield Educational Partnership (BSEP) offers a variety of hospital-based learning experiences for high school students. It prioritizes students from Springfield but students from surrounding communities may participate if capacity allows. See BSEP.

• History/Science/Art – The Springfield Museums are looking for volunteers in many capacities. See: Springfield Museum Volunteers .

• Law Enforcement – Police Explorers, Post 820 (Enfield, CT). Youth direct traffic for local events and receive training in crime scene patrols, building searches, and penal codes. Contact: the Enfield Police Department at 860-763-6400.

• NEW! Law Enforcement - The New Haven FBI Office and Yale University Police Department provide a Law Enforcement Police Academy each summer. Selected youth receive specific classroom training and practical training taught be Special Agents, Police and Prosecutors. See Officer Jones, our School Resource Officer for more information.

• Law & Legal Careers – The Court Aide Program is offered through the State of CT Judicial Branch. This is an 8-week summer program that permits high school seniors to work in the courts. Visit the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch website at Court Aide Program.

• Service/Gap Year – Are you interested in a gap year experience? Check out this on-line comprehensive volunteer resource: www.Idealist.org For more additional service year opportunities visit: Service Year. For most positions one must be 18 years or older to apply.

• NEW! U.S. EXCHANGE PROGRAM FOR GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS - Build connections, broaden your horizons and see the country. Seven to ten day exchanges within the U.S. Stay with a host family. Free including transportation. Seniors must apply and are notified in March: americanexchangeproject.org/ .

• Veterinary – Volunteer opportunities at the Forest Park Zoo. You must be 18 to volunteer. Go to Forest Park Volunteers .

• Veterinary/Animal Lovers – PawSafe Animal Rescue is based in Ellington, CT. They are looking for short term foster families for their rescue dogs. For more information go to: pawsafe.org/volunteer/

• Other Local Volunteer Opportunities – Volunteer opportunities are available through the Red Cross: Become a Red Cross Volunteer .

• UR Community Cares is seeking volunteers who want to make an impact in the lives of older adults with physical disabilities in Somers. Help with household chores and yard work: contact Michelle at info@URCommunityCares. org .