Opportunities for service hours in summer

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Broward County sponsors service projects throughout the year. Each shift is typically multiple hours long, so a student can reach the required hours relatively quickly. (Photo/Broward County)

In order to graduate, every student must have at least 100 service hours, with more required for those on academic scholarship and members of the National Honor Society. Summer, with its freedom from classes and homework, is a great time to get those hours. Broward County offers many opportunities for teens to earn service hours. 

Students aged 12-18 can join their local library’s Teen Advisory Board. The responsibilities vary depending on the library, but volunteers can expect to help librarians by sorting books, mentoring younger students and aiding discussions held at the library. 

Students 16 and up can volunteer at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport as Airport Ambassadors. The position entails greeting travelers, giving directions on how to navigate around the airport and assisting them with their needs. Joining the program may be time consuming when school starts–in order to stay an ambassador, students need to complete at least a four hour shift every week–but the position also comes with benefits such as discounted and complimentary items in the airport.

Broward County Parks launched a Parks “VIP” program which stands for “Volunteers Improving Parks.” Students over age 13 can join the program and help maintain the county’s parks by picking up trash and invasive species of plants. Park VIPs are also expected to help organize and participate in events held at the park.

These county-sponsored programs all have a goal to promote a sense of community, preserve the environment and help others. Volunteering for these organizations allows students to learn leadership skills, make friends and, of course, receive service hours.

Senior Ellaheh Gohari is entering her fourth (and sadly final) year on staff and third year as co-EIC of the Patriot Post. She loves learning new things and can often be found going down Wikipedia rabbit holes in search of random knowledge. Outside of room 25310, she serves as co-president to both the Girls Excelling in Math and Science club and the Science National Honor Society. A science-lover, she enjoys exploring the subject through research projects with UMiami, volunteer tutoring with OTTER and fact-checks with MediaWise. She hopes you enjoy your time reading the Patriot Post.