Plenty of chances for teens to volunteer this summer
With a month of summer remaining before school starts, it is a good time for teens to hook up with some volunteer opportunities.
Not only will the activities keep them busy and occupied (and maybe ward off some of that summer boredom and potential trouble), but the teens might learn some new skills, enjoy the rewarding feeling of helping others and have some experiences that would look darn good on those upcoming college applications.
In Middle Tennessee, there are all sorts of structured and impromptu ways to volunteer in these waning weeks of summer — everything from a week-long Youth Volunteer Corps camp and other opportunities through Hands on Nashville, to simply doing something on their own such as conducting a food drive, a book drive or taking on a neighborhood cleanup, or taking some cheer to a nursing home.
Hands On Nashville has really beefed up its volunteer opportunity list for teens, with a lot of ongoing (and free) chances for energetic young people to get out and do something for the community.
The summer HON calendar includes work days at Bell Garden in Bellevue digging, weeding and watering, plus open garden time or a meal prep session for the Nashville Food Project. There are some volunteer days at beautiful Radnor Lake, where teens can work on projects including mulching trails, removing invasive plants such as honeysuckle, trail building or maybe park/stream cleanup.
For teens who don't like the idea of sweating outside in the summer heat, there is an option to do some cold food sorting at Second Harvest Food Bank, where work is done inside 40-degree walk-in coolers sorting food. Better get that winter coat out and bundle up for this one.
Other opportunities include making Cares Packages at Nashville CARES or participating in a fresh food giveaway at Catholic Charities Refugee Services. There are lots of chances to help out at both of the ThriftSmart thrift stores through merchandising, sorting and talking to customers.
And the Metro Library has opportunities for teens to help at almost all of its branches through the Hands On Nashville calendar.
To sign up or to get more information on these projects, see www.hon.org or call 615-298-1108
There is also a week-long Hands On Nashville Teen Volunteer camp that costs $100 and is geared for high school-age students "who are adventurous and care about improving our world." The July 20-24 session is themed "youth and education" and will take them to locations including the 18th Avenue Enrichment Center, where they will play with kids during their summer camp; the Thompson Lane/Edgehill Library, where they will sort books/clean bookshelves and other projects; an on-site project with Youth Villages; and writing notes of encouragement for students on their first day of school. In addition to the "work" the teens do, they learn about the various organizations and how they address community needs. For more information, see www.hon.org/summercamp.
• The City of Franklin is looking for teen volunteers for its family fun "Water Day" on Wednesday morning at Pinkerton Park. Contact: tiffany.fantine@franklintn.gov or call 615-794-2103.
• St. Luke's Community House welcomes young volunteers to read, play games and help with parties and arts and crafts projects for its preschoolers, as well as help with the Second Harvest satellite food pantry there. St. Luke's also welcomes helpers to serve lunch and socialize or do crafts with seniors during the Thursday senior lunches. The volunteer contact is Christie Bearden, 615-324-8375 or christie.bearden@stluckescommunityhouse.org.
Reach Ms. Cheap at 615-259-8282. Follow her at www.tennessean.com/mscheap, at https://www.facebook.com/mscheap?_rdr. and on Twitter @Ms_Cheap, and catch her every Thursday at 11 a.m. on WTVF-Channel 5's "Talk of the Town."