What If Your Kid Isn’t Into Volunteering or Community Service?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am against requiring volunteer hours for graduation. If it’s required, it doesn’t meet the definition of being voluntary.

Indeed, it meets the definition of slavery.

Possibly the absolute dumbest take I’ve seen on DCUM, which is saying a lot.

If you are forced to work and you are not paid for it, you are a slave. I'm sorry you're too stupid to understand this elementary concept.

*David Attenborough:* As the smooth brain emerges from its nest, it takes its first faltering steps on spindly, wobbly legs. Gazing around at the big world out there, it attempts to make its mark. It can’t know how weak it actually is, though, and so its roar comes out, comically, as the tiniest squeak. Spent, it returns to its burrow to store up energy for tomorrow’s effort.

I love you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in another state and our public school did not require service hours.

FCPS does not require service hours.

Required service hours are a private school thing.

MCPS requires 75 approved service hours to graduate. Only approved organizations are eligible to give MCPS students those hours, you are not allowed to work for your family. Thankfully, they make it relatively easy for the kids, and hand out a few hours here and there for service done in school. Kids who transfer late in high school from other places and who don't have enough hours to graduate are prioritized for those in-school hours.

Thank goodness Virginia doesn't require this.

How is this equitable to poor kids who don't have transportation, must have jobs to support their families or who have to help watch younger siblings?

75 hours is a lot of extra time.

It's a requirement in Baltimore City--so, lots of genuinely poor students--and it's fine. The schools and city make sure there are opportunities.

Lots of poor kids at my son’s Catholic H.S. participate in pretty rigorous service requirements. It’s important for everyone.

[Anonymous]

DP here. I know service hours are important. I’m in fcps and my teen kid has always struggled with finding a project that isn’t a one time thing or is something they are really passionate about. And I get it.

Both DH do regular charity work and are parent leads for older ones’ sports teams, but our volunteer work is 18 years or older, and not really for her. We are nice people, help neighbors etc.

Just cut OP some slack, she doesn’t need a lecture on how to be a moral person by volunteering.

[Anonymous]

Damn. Was going to say something else, but it all pales after our Attenborough imposter above. In fact, that brought enough cheer to be considered community service.

Anyway, some jobs are basically community service bc the pay is so low.

For teens who find a structure to volunteer in, it can be empowering because they find they use skill sets they didn’t know they have.

I’ve been a little sickened looking at all the « fancy » start a non-profit community service activities that are totally funded and managed by parents.

Reading to a struggling 7 year old at a public library tutoring session can bring more
Satisfaction than the reluctant volunteer anticipates.

Shoveling walks for your elder neighbors counts. Stealth shoveling is a fine essay topic. It can be repaid in spades ( pun intended) unexpectedly. But that’s another story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Damn. Was going to say something else, but it all pales after our Attenborough imposter above. In fact, that brought enough cheer to be considered community service.

Anyway, some jobs are basically community service bc the pay is so low.

For teens who find a structure to volunteer in, it can be empowering because they find they use skill sets they didn’t know they have.

I’ve been a little sickened looking at all the « fancy » start a non-profit community service activities that are totally funded and managed by parents.

Reading to a struggling 7 year old at a public library tutoring session can bring more
Satisfaction than the reluctant volunteer anticipates.

Shoveling walks for your elder neighbors counts. Stealth shoveling is a fine essay topic. It can be repaid in spades ( pun intended) unexpectedly. But that’s another story.

Is it really stealth if you brag about it on your college application?

https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/2025/05/08/ycbk-533-what-do-colleges-think-when-a-student-doesnt-have-any-service-hours/