Volunteering

Volunteering is the act of giving time to help others or support a cause, offering benefits such as skill development and a deeper connection to the community.

What should you know about Volunteering?

Why Volunteer?

Volunteering is the act of giving time and effort to help others or support a cause without expecting payment.

For students, it’s a great way to start gaining real-world experience early on!
Participating in volunteer work shows initiative and responsibility, which can stand out on applications for scholarships, internships, jobs, and university.
It helps build valuable skills such as communication, leadership, teamwork, organization, and time management—all of which are useful both in and out of the classroom!
Volunteering can also help students discover new interests, meet people from different backgrounds, and feel more connected to their community
Starting early not only strengthens a resume but also builds confidence and a sense of purpose that carries throughout school and beyond!

Where Can You Start Looking?

Local communities/businesses
- Posters in-store, online advertising
- Radio, K-days, Zoo, Leaders-in-Training, Heritage Festival, Girl Guides, etc
Youth-led groups
- Social media, word-of-mouth, local events (Art Walk, etc.)
Hospitals, academic institutions, etc.
- AHS volunteering, volunteering in labs (research)
Your school
- Most schools need volunteers to set up decorations, organize events, and more. Ask your teachers or leadership club/class (if you have one)
Ask around! Someone you know likely has some connections

Prerequisites & Elegibility

Many volunteering programs require the volunteer to be at least 14 years old, but more commonly the requirement is at least 16 years old. Students younger than this likely need a guardian present to supervise them, though anyone under the age of 18 could be expected to provide parental consent to volunteer.

What to Expect when Applying

When applying for volunteer opportunities, expect to fill out a short application that may ask for basic personal information, your availability, and your reasons for wanting to volunteer.

Some organizations might ask for a resume or a brief statement about your interests or experience, especially for roles that involve working with the public or children.
You may also need to provide references, especially if the position involves responsibility or access to sensitive environments like hospitals or schools. Depending on which part of the public your role works with, you may need to submit to a Police Record Check.
Depending on the organization, there might be an interview, orientation session, or training before you begin.
For younger students, parent or guardian permission is often required.

Benefits

Great addition to resume/CV
Builds personal and professional skills
Builds passion
Gain a sense of community involvement
Prepares volunteer for a career in that field & provides valuable experience
Network and build relationships

Drawbacks

Takes up a lot of out-of-school hours
Overloading yourself on volunteering commitments can have a negative impact both on yourself and prevent you from properly fulfilling your duties