If you haven’t reached the age of 18 but are dying to volunteer, you’re in for some good news. There are several volunteer opportunities nowadays for high school students to contribute to a meaningful cause. With the support of your parents and the enthusiasm to help others, you’re on your way to an incredible volunteer adventure abroad. Whether you’re an animal lover or intrigued by different cultures, there’s something out there for everyone. The African Savanna, the islands of Southeast Asia or the jungles of South America are just a click away. High school students eager to gain practical work experience can opt for a summer volunteer internship!

At Volunteer World, we believe that volunteering should be accessible to everyone. Whether you’re in your twenties, a retiree or still a teen, you can make a difference to one of the many volunteer projects. Some organizations have created programs that are suitable for teens or high school students. This gives you the opportunity to get to know a new culture and learn about the ins and outs of volunteering. Help a local community in need and enjoy the adventure of traveling.

There’s really no difference between volunteering and teenage volunteering. There are volunteer organizations that have categorized certain projects as being suitable for teens and high school students. Besides helping the local community, volunteering could also give you a step up for future college applications. If you happen to be excited about a project that is not categorized as a volunteering for teens project, do not despair. A lot depends on the volunteer project. Most projects require volunteers to be a minimum of 18 years old. There are exceptions however which need to be discussed directly with the project.

The Pros and Cons of Teenage Volunteering

At Volunteer World, we believe that everyone can find a volunteer project that they like. If you’re a teen and still deciding whether volunteering is for you, let’s take a look at the pros and cons:

Pros

• The opportunity to volunteer abroad and contribute to a meaningful cause by helping a community in need or preserving the environment.
• You will be able to volunteer together with others within your age group.
• Summer volunteer programs focused on teens or high school students will provide the necessary support and ensure the safety of teens.
• This is the ideal opportunity to meet and connect with other like-minded individuals.
• Volunteer internships for high school students are great opportunities to gain experience.

Cons

• You may not have access to all volunteer programs this way because not all programs accept teenage volunteers.
• The volunteer experience may have a significant emotional impact on young people.

Depending on what you would like to do, get in touch with the organization and see whether they will accept you as a candidate. It’s a matter of connecting with the program and checking whether there is a match between the requirements of the organization and your skills. Organizations are always looking for enthusiastic volunteers who are eager to help out.

Why opt for teenage volunteer opportunities?

Many people relate volunteers with young adults. Teens are quite inexperienced in travel which can be a significant risk. Programs offering volunteer opportunities for teenagers will provide services to minimize risks. They have experience dealing with youthful volunteers which will make sure that the volunteer adventure will go smoothly.

There are increasingly more organizations that are dedicated to improving the circumstances of those less fortunate and are taking action to reverse the damage done to the environment. All these organizations are in need of help, so why not enthusiastic teenagers?

Will you be making a difference?
No matter what your age is, you can make a meaningful difference and touch the lives of the locals at your volunteer destination. The most important aspect of a volunteer program is the cultural interchange and social contact between the volunteer and the locals. You will carry this experience with you through life and it may be the start to many more volunteer initiatives to come. Give volunteering abroad a try and see how it can change your life!

Is volunteering in developing countries condescending?
There are claims that if you volunteer abroad that you’re portraying a message that communities are unable to solve problems on their own. The goal of volunteer projects should always be to empower local communities and give them the support they need to take their future into their own hands. It’s important to join a reputable organization that understands the needs of the community and is dedicated to helping the community progress. Take a very good look at the different volunteer programs, read the reviews, ask questions and select a project that truly inspires you.

What kind of Teenage Volunteering Projects are there?

There are several opportunities for youth volunteering. It essentially comes down to where you would like to go and what you want to do. Take into account your passions and perhaps what you will study in the future. Teenage volunteering projects are often a great addition to your (future) studies:

• Work at an animal conservation center or sanctuary
• Agricultural or farm work
• Cultural immersion programs
• Environmental conservation
• Humanitarian work
• Community Service
• Health care

Volunteer internships for high school students is an excellent way to gain work experience and contribute to something meaningful. There are quite a few option available for teenage or high school volunteers. Your preference and skills will determine where you will end up on your international volunteer adventure.

How to choose the right Teenage Volunteering Program?

The most important aspect of choosing a great program is that you do enough research on the different volunteer organizations and try to answer the following questions:

1. What does the organization stand for?
2. What is their objective and how are they trying to achieve it?
3. How are the funds they receive spent?
4. How do you think you will contribute?
5. What do you think the effect will be of your volunteer work?

Read up on the organization, read reviews and ask previous volunteers about their experience with the organization. There are wonderful organizations that are doing very responsible work which you can be part of. Take a look at the different volunteer projects on our website. Try to involve your school in the process. They may encourage you to participate and integrate the volunteer experience into a summer volunteer internship.

Be especially careful when you want to volunteer with children. Do your due diligence prior to signing up. There are organizations out there that are doing more harm than good by taking advantage of the volunteer industry and exploiting local families. We have attempted to screen these organizations but you make the final call. Choose wisely and you will be in for an incredible experience and supporting a meaningful cause.

Internships for high school students

Volunteer internships for high school students are excellent opportunities s to learn and develop various skills. It’s no surprise that schools encourage their students to participate in volunteer programs. The lessons learned during a volunteer internship are things you won't learn from school books. Volunteer projects make wonderful high school summer internships so definitely discuss the options with your school.

Summer volunteer internships for high school students can vary depending on the projects available and the project you want to engage in. Be sure to contact the volunteer project to see if they have volunteer work for teens. Not all projects accept participants below 18. Grasp the chance to do a summer volunteer internship if you can. Rest assured that future employers will take this valuable experience into account.

Check the best summer programs for high school students on our page: The most exciting international destinations are just a click away. Take this opportunity to explore the world and give back to less fortunate communities. Whether you’re adventurous and want to preserve wildlife in Africa and Asia or prefer a humanitarian project where you learn a lot about the local culture, you’ll find your thing among the many programs. Volunteers who don’t want to travel too far can also apply for opportunities closer to home. Take into account your health and level of physical fitness and choose a volunteer project where you can participate comfortably.

Not many drawbacks come to mind when you volunteering abroad. It’s almost always associated with feelings of positivity. A volunteer project allows people to get out of their usual environment and open up to new experiences. When volunteering as a teen, take into account the safety measures and you’re good to go. Join one of the teenage volunteer programs abroad and you will help the communities of your destination while embarking on an unforgettable adventure with your peers. Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits:

1. Valuable Learning Opportunities

   
   Choosing to volunteer abroad will open up a new world. Whether you volunteer in Africa, America, Asia or Europe, you will learn about the country and culture and interact with the local community. This will lead to a deeper understanding of the people and their situation. Learn new skills and witness the opportunities that will unfold because of this international experience. Have fun and meet other teens that share your love for adventure and seek out a potential summer internship for high school students.

2. Meet new people

   
   Do meaningful volunteer work with other teens. You will meet other volunteers and travelers who share your interests. You’ll connect with like-minded fellow volunteers and locals. This will be a wonderful opportunity to build meaningful relationships and allow cultural interchange to unfold.

3. New Experiences

   
   Just take a look at the different possibilities for you to a summer volunteer internship abroad. This is a brilliant way to expand your perspective on life. Issues that seemed like huge problems before, may seem trivial after your teen volunteer program experience. New life experiences make you stronger and will empower you for the future. Rest assured that future study and job opportunities will take into account this practical international experience.

4. Health Improvements

   
   Traveling and volunteering are two ingredients that practically guarantee happiness. Research has proven that traveling is beneficial because it puts people in a completely different environment forcing you to use different parts of the brain. On top of that, supporting a meaningful cause will give you a sense a purpose which is a major happiness influencer. Happy teens tend to be healthy teens. Volunteer with other teenage volunteers and see what benefits it has in store for you!

5. Travel

   
   This is your chance to explore and discover some of the most interesting places the world has to offer while doing a teen volunteer program. Discover the rawness of Africa, the laidback ways of Asia or the pristine nature of America. This is your chance to travel and contribute to a meaningful cause. What are you waiting for? Get out your luggage and start packing for this international teen adventure abroad!

How do I get started with Teenage Volunteering?

You’ve decided you want to do a youth volunteering project but you’re not quite sure where to start? First of all, have a look at the different programs across the globe, and pick a few that have caught your attention. Students can take into account what they will study in the future as well. If your school approves, you can even integrate it into a summer volunteer internship.

Once you’ve done that, let’s take a look at the first 3 steps which will send you on your way to volunteering abroad:

1. Check whether there’s a match between you and the project by looking at their requirements.
2. Take a look at the location of the project and decide whether it would be a place you are excited to go to.
3. Get in touch with the organization and see whether your expectations and schedules match up.

Once this is sorted. Let’s take a look at the practical steps:

Insurance (Health & travel)

We recommend getting both health and travel insurance. In fact, this is even a requirement for all volunteer programs abroad. Get in touch with your program contact person to find out if an insurance plan is already in place for volunteers.

Visa, Passport, and Documentation

Once you know your destination, take the following 3 steps before setting off on your life-changing adventure!

1. Look into the visa requirements for the country you will volunteer in
2. Make sure everyone has valid passports considering the requirements of the host country
3. Make sure you prepare the correct documents to fulfill the visa application

That’s it! You’re ready for volunteering abroad. Get ready for a life-changing international experience that will have an incredible impact on both your destination and yourself. Whether you’re doing this on your own or incorporating this into a summer volunteer internship through your high school, the world is waiting for teenagers to change the world.