Five Ways Your Teen Can Volunteer this Spring Break

Troubled teens learn a lot in therapy programs such as online programs, wilderness programs or even boot camps, but what happens when they come home? Continued therapy is a huge part of getting them back on the right track.

With spring break coming up, your teen will have a week off from their usual school routine, and you may be worried about them spiraling out of control again or getting into trouble on a vacation with friends. Instead of letting them spend the week indoors playing video games or trying to chase them around the city, there are several volunteer opportunities that they can participate in to stay busy, stay out of trouble, and learn some valuable life skills.

Build a home with Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity in cities around the country offers spring break volunteer opportunities for ages 16 and under through their Collegiate Challenge Program. Groups of students partner with local chapters to help build homes at low costs. They will learn valuable skills such as craftsmanship while taking part in a fun activity with peers and learning from this rewarding experience.

Get older teens into action with the United Way. United Way also offers an alternative spring break program that focuses on service projects around the cities ranging from building homes to the upkeep of shelters. These trips are very immersive, with meals and housing being provided for a small fee per trip. Open to the those 18 and older, this successful program has had over 5000 students participate since it started in 2006.

Test the waters with Global Vision International. GVI offers an alternative spring break with a twist. Volunteers in both high school and college levels can join trips during spring break to help with marine life conservation, animal care or service projects abroad. These “volunteer vacations” offer a week-long trip of fun, beautiful sights, and of course – valuable volunteering.

Help children in need in Peru with International Volunteer HQ. IVHQ offers several travel-abroad spring break volunteer opportunities such as a week-long trip to Peru to spend time with children in an orphanage. Your teen will help plan activities, play games, help with homework and care for severely underprivileged youth. This rewarding experience shows your teen how to care for others and teach confidence as a mentor.

Get outdoors with the American Hiking Society. In this volunteer program from AHS, groups of 6-15 volunteers of all ages and a crew leader spend their days outdoors building and maintaining trails in several locations. Backpacking and hiking by day and camping or staying in a bunkhouse by night, this is a great trip for nature lovers to get back and get up close and personal with beautiful trails.