Community Service Opportunities
All students must complete a minimum of 30 documented hours of community service. A student may be granted one-half credit for documented community service provided it is supervised by an administrator or teacher and consists of not less than eighty (80) hours of actual service that may be performed at times when school is not regularly in session and not less than ten (10) hours of related classroom instruction. Such community service does not include partisan political activities.
Community service is broadly defined as “Any service to the greater community, secular or religious, performed on a volunteer basis without remuneration to the student.” Community service can be performed in or out of school, on weekends, at night, during the summer prior to the school year, or if a schedule permits, during the school day.
Please check this site on a regular basis as community service opportunities will be posted as they become available. All community service must be completed by the start of senior year. School Counselors will keep record of completed hours.
The community service form can be found here.
Acton Public Library (https://www.actonlibrary.org)
Contact: actonlibrary@actonlibrary.org
Bikes for Kids (https://www.bikesforkidsct.org/events)
Contact: 860-388-BIKE (2453) or info@bikesforkidsct.org
Bushy Hill Nature Center (https://www.bushyhill.org)
Contact: 860-767-2148
Camp Hazen - Camp Counselor (https://camphazenymca.org/)
Office email: office@camphazenymca.org
Camp Director: Kath Davies kdavies@camphazenymca.org
Executive Director: Denise Learned denise@camphazenymca.org
Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut (https://www.childrensmuseumsect.org/support-the-museum/volunteer/)
Contact: 860.691.1111 or email: visitorservices@cmsect.org
Common Good Gardens (http://www.commongoodgardens.org/volunteer.html)
Located behind Grace Episcopal Church in Old Saybrook. The garden produces organic fruits and vegetables for the local Shoreline Soup Kitchens.
Connecticut River Museum - Junior Intern
Contact: Suzanne Burns (sburns@ctrivermuseum.org)
Connecticut River Museum holds 6 weeks of fun, hands on activities for children ages 6-15. We are looking for volunteers to fill the role of Junior Intern. Junior Interns are high school students (entering grades 9-12) looking to gain experience in education, museum studies and inquiry based learning. Junior Interns are required to commit to a full week of camp; Monday through Friday 9-4. CRM will accept 2-3 interns per session. Please note that Junior Interns must be 16 or older to volunteer for Sailing into the Past and 13 and older for all other camps. Upon completion of a Junior Internship, CRM is able to complete a volunteer form for school required volunteers hours.
Florence Griswold Museum (https://florencegriswoldmuseum.org/)
Contact: Shawn Savage, Volunteer Coordinator 860-434-5542, ext 112 or Shawn@flogris.org
Contact: Molly Clark, Museum Educator 860-434-5542, ext. 113 or Mollie@flogris.org
Forgotten Felines (http://forgottenfelinesct.org/)
Contact: Kristen Goeters, Volunteer Coordinator 860-669-1347 or adoptions@fogottenfelinesct.org
Volunteer opportunities for students 16 years of age and older
Goodspeed Playhouse (https://www.goodspeed.org/about/volunteer)
Contact: Amy Campbell at 203-494-7328
High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center (https://highhopestr.org/volunteers/)
Contact: High Hopes Volunteer Coordinator 860-434-1974, ext. 121
Volunteer opportunities in the following areas for students 14 years of age and older to assist children and adults with special needs.
Ivoryton Playhouse (https://www.ivorytonplayhouse.org/get-involved/volunteer-and-donations)
Contact: Krista May at 860.767.9520 x 205 or e-mail krista@ivorytonplayhouse.org
Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center - The Kate (https://www.katharinehepburntheater.org/support/volunteer/)
Contact: Shirley Colquhoun, Volunteer Coordinator, shirley.colquhoun@thekate.org
Middlesex Hospital (https://middlesexhealth.org/middlesex-and-the-community/volunteering-opportunities)
Contact: Volunteer Services Office at (860) 358-6735 or email kate.kearns@midhosp.org
Mystic Aquarium (https://www.mysticaquarium.org/careers/volunteering/)
Contact: volunteer@mysticaquarium.org or 860-572-5955
Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce (https://www.oldsaybrookchamber.com)
Contact: (860) 388-3266
Old Saybrook Estuary (https://www.yourestuary.org)
Contact: Visit the volunteer section of their website
Old Saybrook Historical Society (https://saybrookhistory.org/volunteer-opportunities/)
Contact: 860-395-1635
Old Saybrook Department of Police Services (https://www.oldsaybrookct.gov/police-department/community-oriented-policing/pages/explorer-program)
Contact: School Resource Officer for application
Old Saybrook Fire Department (http://www.oldsaybrookfire.com/index.html)
Contact: 860-395-3149 for the Junior Division advisor
Old Saybrook Parks & Recreation (https://oldsaybrookct.myrec.com/info/default.aspx)
Contact: Ray Allen (ray.allen@oldsaybrookct.gov)
Old Saybrook Youth & Family Services (https://www.oldsaybrookct.gov/youth-and-family-services)
Please complete the volunteer interest form
Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries (https://shorelinesoupkitchens.org/give-help/donate-time)
The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries has many opportunities to volunteer at our meal sites and pantries. To facilitate your volunteering we have a regularly scheduled monthly volunteer orientation meeting. There is no need to pre-register for the monthly new volunteer meetings. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at Grace Episcopal Church, 336 Main Street, Old Saybrook. NO RSVP necessary. Times: 5:30 p.m. for all mandatory community service volunteers only; 6:30 p.m. for all others - the minimum age for volunteers is 12 - youth 15 and under need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.