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Volunteering for kids
Volunteering for kids
Our recent trip to STJ and to visit the Animal Care Center has really gotten my 9 year old interested in volunteering. However, here in fairfax county, you have to be 18 to volunteer with the shelter.
Does anyone have any thoughts/ideas for good volunteer activities for a 9 year old girl. Doesn't have to involve animals though that would be great. She also loves nature and science.
Does anyone have any thoughts/ideas for good volunteer activities for a 9 year old girl. Doesn't have to involve animals though that would be great. She also loves nature and science.
I can commiserate with you. I have two Girl Scout troops (both have been at that age in the past, one troop is mostly 10 year olds, the other 13-14.) It has been a challenge finding worthwhile projects that are hands-on. Usually liability issues get in the way with the nonprofits having kids work on site.
Here are some of the things our younger girls have done over the years:
We have collected old sheets and towels for an animal shelter (they really need them!). We have made dog beds with foam, vinyl and duct tape and delivered them to the shelter. We made magnets and gave them to an animal rescue to sell at their events (Girl Scouts cannot collect money for another organization but they can donate items). We made posters for a rescue that they could use at their shelter.
You may find that smaller at home rescues allow you to help but you never know the temperment of the animals.
You could foster a kitty or puppy! But we all know what that might lead to!
We have made fleece blankets for our church's homeless ministry. We collected old sewing items and made little sewing kits in plastic soap travel boxes to give to the homeless women. We have done canned food drives.
We have done huge collections of pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald house. Like 75 pounds of the tabs!
I'll have to dig in the memory banks for more ideas for that age group. You can also google some volunteer match websites and you can probably find some family friendly activities.
Other ideas:
Folding clothing donations for a place like Crisis assistance ministry.
Visiting a nursing home at a time other than the holidays.
I'll keep thinking....
Here are some of the things our younger girls have done over the years:
We have collected old sheets and towels for an animal shelter (they really need them!). We have made dog beds with foam, vinyl and duct tape and delivered them to the shelter. We made magnets and gave them to an animal rescue to sell at their events (Girl Scouts cannot collect money for another organization but they can donate items). We made posters for a rescue that they could use at their shelter.
You may find that smaller at home rescues allow you to help but you never know the temperment of the animals.
You could foster a kitty or puppy! But we all know what that might lead to!
We have made fleece blankets for our church's homeless ministry. We collected old sewing items and made little sewing kits in plastic soap travel boxes to give to the homeless women. We have done canned food drives.
We have done huge collections of pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald house. Like 75 pounds of the tabs!
I'll have to dig in the memory banks for more ideas for that age group. You can also google some volunteer match websites and you can probably find some family friendly activities.
Other ideas:
Folding clothing donations for a place like Crisis assistance ministry.
Visiting a nursing home at a time other than the holidays.
I'll keep thinking....
"Sponges grow in the ocean...I wonder how much deeper it would be if that didn't happen."
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Tracy in WI
- Posts: 1624
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:39 am
- Location: Wisconsin
Great question and how wonderful that Ella wants to do more!
There isn't much, but we volunteer by packing care packages to the troops through our church. Alex always helps and we get kids to include cards and letters in the boxes. We often get cards of thanks back and it really makes a difference. I am in charge of our group at church and would be happy to share a name or two of a deserving person in Iraq or Afghanistan.
We also make cookies once a month for a homeless shelter and deliver food from our church to the food pantry. I like that one because my kids can see right in front of them that so many aren't as fortunate as we are at the moment.
In the past we have made pictures/crafts to take up to the local Veteran's hospital as well.
One of our favorite things is to volunteer at local run/walks in the area and hand out water or direct the participants. Not a real "feel good" type thing, but fun and active for the kids.
There isn't much, but we volunteer by packing care packages to the troops through our church. Alex always helps and we get kids to include cards and letters in the boxes. We often get cards of thanks back and it really makes a difference. I am in charge of our group at church and would be happy to share a name or two of a deserving person in Iraq or Afghanistan.
We also make cookies once a month for a homeless shelter and deliver food from our church to the food pantry. I like that one because my kids can see right in front of them that so many aren't as fortunate as we are at the moment.
In the past we have made pictures/crafts to take up to the local Veteran's hospital as well.
One of our favorite things is to volunteer at local run/walks in the area and hand out water or direct the participants. Not a real "feel good" type thing, but fun and active for the kids.
Tracy, Seaside Properties at Grande Bay
Oh my gosh, also google "Feed My Starving Children". It is this nonprofit that packages meals (bags of a rice mix with protein powders, dehydrated vegetables, vitamins, etc...) and they are given to people in poor countries to cook and eat.
Anyways, they have these food packing events, they go all over the country where local groups or churches sponsor them. You can see if there is an event in your area.
About 100 people go at a time (you register) and then you get in these little stations and participate in this assembly line, scooping stuff, sealing the bags, that kind of stuff. I would say it would be fine for a nine year old. They play fun music and turn it into a playful competition between tables. It was so fun, my daughter loved it (I did too). Takes about two hours, they show a video of they types of people who get the food-very inspiring. I can't say enough good things about those people. The group packages thousands (I think) of meals at each session.
A very feel good event, not just for kids.
Anyways, they have these food packing events, they go all over the country where local groups or churches sponsor them. You can see if there is an event in your area.
About 100 people go at a time (you register) and then you get in these little stations and participate in this assembly line, scooping stuff, sealing the bags, that kind of stuff. I would say it would be fine for a nine year old. They play fun music and turn it into a playful competition between tables. It was so fun, my daughter loved it (I did too). Takes about two hours, they show a video of they types of people who get the food-very inspiring. I can't say enough good things about those people. The group packages thousands (I think) of meals at each session.
A very feel good event, not just for kids.
"Sponges grow in the ocean...I wonder how much deeper it would be if that didn't happen."
I second the Feed My Starving Children program. J and I have participated in those events and it really is an awesome process.
I know someone else mentioned homeless shelters and they really are a great opportunity for volunteering! All of our area shelters allow children to come in and serve a meal with their parents. I've taken several groups to the shelters and the kids always love it! You can look for a family shelter or even volunteering at a domestic violence shelter.
The nursing home idea is great too. We take kids from our church to a nearby nursing home to play Bingo once a month. The supplies needed aren't very many, we just have the game cards, something for markers and we buy small prizes for the people who win. Really easy to coordinate and the people in the nursing home LOVE IT!! You can also tie in lessons on appreciating wisdom from our elders, etc.
If you strictly want to do something pet oriented, I think having her take up a collection of pet food, blankets, treats, etc and then delivering them all would be awesome!
Those are some very hands on ways for her to get involved. Let us know what you decide to do!
I know someone else mentioned homeless shelters and they really are a great opportunity for volunteering! All of our area shelters allow children to come in and serve a meal with their parents. I've taken several groups to the shelters and the kids always love it! You can look for a family shelter or even volunteering at a domestic violence shelter.
The nursing home idea is great too. We take kids from our church to a nearby nursing home to play Bingo once a month. The supplies needed aren't very many, we just have the game cards, something for markers and we buy small prizes for the people who win. Really easy to coordinate and the people in the nursing home LOVE IT!! You can also tie in lessons on appreciating wisdom from our elders, etc.
If you strictly want to do something pet oriented, I think having her take up a collection of pet food, blankets, treats, etc and then delivering them all would be awesome!
Those are some very hands on ways for her to get involved. Let us know what you decide to do!