Summer Service Ideas

Need ideas? Still having trouble finding a place to serve?

That's ok; it's worth thinking hard about. Sixty hours spent being semi-interested in the work you're doing can feel very long... not to mention processing the experience back at school. Many students do more than 60 hours, choose a nonprofit that fits their interests, and then enjoy dicussing their experience their senior year. That time will fly, and you'll get much more out of it. So consider finding an organization that does work you're interested in. Call around; don't necessarily take the first offer.

For ideas, you could first try last year's placements, sorted by city. Some of last year's organizations and some nonprofits that have never had a NCSSM student have expressed interest to have a Summer Service student, and they're listed here* . You could do a read through of many different service types to help you brainstorm interests. You could try google searching some of these topics in your city or county. Try your phone book. If you still can't find places, email me your county and what you're interested in - I have a big book of nonprofits over the state I'll check out. But do your own legwork first!

NOTE: Do you live in the Triangle Area? Like service learning? Consider jointly completing the requirements for the Durham Volunteer Center's Mayor's Award for Service (great for resumes!) and NCSSM Summer Service simultaneously. Students complete 100 hours at a non-profit approved by the Durham Volunteer center. Paperwork for both programs must be completed... but if you're living in the triangle, and you're going to do around 100 hours of service, there's NO REASON not to do both. Click here for more information. Something to keep in mind as you're designing your Summer Service!

*(if you're a nonprofit and want to host an NCSSM student for their summer service, send an email to the Service Learning Coordinator )