Best Volunteer Opportunities For Kids In Baltimore
Before filling the rest of the year with vacations, camps, sports and other family outings in Baltimore, volunteer and teach kids how to make a difference. Opportunities for all ages abound in Baltimore. It's never too early to teach children community responsibility and help them develop the skills to grow into caring, selfless adults.
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation
333 E. Lancaster Ave.
Wynnewood, Pa. 19096
(610) 649-3034
www.alexslemonade.org/
Click here for a calendar of events.
Minimum Age to Volunteer: none
Founded in 2000 by 4-year-old Alexandra "Alex" Scott to fight childhood cancer, Alex's Lemonade Stand is open to children of all ages and their classrooms or neighborhoods. Once registered online with the help of an adult, kids create a personal online fundraising page for their upcoming lemonade stand event and email that page to family and friends so they can make plans to attend or donate online. Alex's Lemonade Stand then provides all of the support materials and even a fundraising coach to assist in holding and publicizing your very own lemonade stand event. Kids will enjoy making the lemonade themselves and helping to make fun, creative signs. Lemonade stands are a great do-it-yourself volunteer option for birthday parties, sports teams, scout groups or classrooms that kids can host all year long.
Adopt-A-Road Program
Baltimore County Historic Courthouse
400 Washington Ave.
Towson, Md. 21204
(410) 887-5464
www.baltimorecountymd.gov/
Minimum Age to Volunteer: 12
This rewarding volunteer experience teaches kids about environmentally friendly practices by improving the appearance of the community and decreasing the amount of trash that gets washed into the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Pick any day, any time of year to help clean up a local road by removing unwanted litter and recyclables. School groups, families and individuals are all welcome to participate, however there must be at least one adult for every volunteer younger than 16. After all of the kids' hard work, a sign will hang to recognize their valuable contribution to keeping Baltimore clean.
Baltimore County Public Library
320 York Rd.
Towson, Md. 21204
(410) 887-6100
www.bcpl.info/
Hours: Sun – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Mon to Thurs – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fri and Sat – 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Click here for a calendar of events
Minimum Age to Volunteer: sixth grade
BCPL's Summer Reading Program encourages outgoing, friendly, professional young adults in sixth through eighth grades to volunteer at their local library branch this summer. Students must be available to work a minimum of 10 hours during the Summer Reading Program season, but the length of a typical work day will vary from branch to branch. Volunteers are asked to provide courteous and efficient service to children of all ages and their parents, as well as assist staff members and the general public as needed. To be considered, basic computer skills and good verbal and written communications skills are helpful. Children younger than 14 may volunteer year-round if they're part of a group.
Stella Maris Inc.
2300 Dulaney Valley Rd.
Timonium, Md. 21093
(410) 252-4500
www.stellamarisinc.com/
Hours: Mon to Fri – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Click here for a calendar of events
Minimum Age to Volunteer: 13
Volunteers play a critical role at Stella Maris Nursing Home and, as such, are treated with immense respect and gratitude for their contributions. Whether kids assist for just a few hours or a few days, volunteer opportunities can range from being a friendly visitor, reader, program and activities assistant, meal assistant, fundraising volunteer or entertainer depending on your child's skill sets. Stella also offers a special student volunteer program for those ages 13 to 18. There are training programs for all volunteers, and additional benefits include dining room discounts, free flu shots, MTA access and immediate and annual recognition from the residents and staff.
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Druid Hill Park
Baltimore, Md. 21217
(410) 396-7102
www.marylandzoo.org/
Hours: Mon to Sun – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March through December
Minimum Age to Volunteer: 14
Join the Junior Zoo Crew for an exciting and rewarding volunteer experience this summer. This opportunity is ideal for students ages 14 to 17 who enjoy horticulture, education, animal science, conservation, overall zoo operations and volunteering. Admission is very competitive as space is limited so apply immediately. Additionally, the zoo offers youth special events volunteering, which allows kids ages 14 to 15 to volunteer alongside an adult for events such as ZooBOOO! or the zoo's animal-themed breakfast series to help raise funds to care for the animals.
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