Now that we are hitting the mid-way point of the summer vacation season, some families may find that boredom is setting in. As the temperature climbs, and kids have exhausted all sorts of other options, it might be hard to find things to keep people busy. Taking the focus off leisure and play, summer can be the perfect time for kids to do volunteer work and projects and get involved with the community in a meaningful way…
Cleaning up trash, doing renovations, painting, cleaning, etc. are all typical volunteer projects that take place in the summer, but there are other projects that are perfect for kids too. Helping staff booths at fairs and festivals is one of those things that organizations often have a hard time finding enough volunteers for–especially during the summer when many people are on vacation. An older child, adolescent or teenager can be perfect for this job (and often volunteering to help staff a booth gets a person free admission too).
Summer camps and community recreation programs for smaller children are also often in need of volunteers. Many teens get their first major volunteer experience by helping out at summer camps or the community pool during the summer. If your child isn’t in to hanging out with younger children, senior centers can often use volunteers during the warm months. Helping out with gardening, activities, and outings–or just visiting with residents is tailor-made for the younger set.
Learning how to deal with boredom and do something productive during their down time is an important lesson and developmental stage for kids. The next time you hear “I’m bored” or “There’s nothing to do!”–having a list of volunteer projects and things to do to help out the community or neighborhood will help your child have a productive and fulfilling–as well as relaxing–summer.
See Also: Volunteering With Your Kids