Best ways to get SSL hours

[Anonymous]

Anyone have advice on really great volunteer opportunities for teens, meaning kid will build empathy, gain a sense of responsibility, genuinely feel like they're helping others?

[Anonymous]

My kid really enjoys playing music in retirement communities through the Tacy Foundation.

[Anonymous]

SSL is a school activity.

You are describing volunteering and community, which does not come from nonprofit paperwork.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SSL is a school activity.

You are describing volunteering and community, which does not come from nonprofit paperwork

Not a school activity

[Anonymous]

Volunteer at a summer camp as an aide for little kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Volunteer at a summer camp as an aide for little kids.

Lots of camps make kids pay for the privilege of being a "counselor in training" or won't take a kid whose parents have shelled out hundreds of dollars a week in prior years to have been a camper in past years...(if you have examples of camps that don't fit this model, do share.)

[Anonymous]

Have them search the Montgomery Volunteer center website for SSL approved opportunities, and just sign up for some different things and try them out.
My kid liked the food bank best, but I am sure it's different for each kid.

[Anonymous]

My kid has found it easiest/most enjoyable to volunteer for younger sibling's PTA events at their home elementary school. It's a win-win, not so far from our home and younger sibling attends the event while older sibling volunteers for SSL hours. And the PTA is happy to not scramble for parent volunteers all the time for every event.

[Anonymous]

My kids did this program for a couple summers and it was a fantastic experience and loads of SSL. Beware, this opportunity is not well publicized and usually the W-schools are told about it so that other kids from other schools do not even hear about this opportunity.

I would suggest asking for clarity about how many spots are going to students from affluent schools for these opportunities.


https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/dtecps/title1/elo/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Volunteer at a summer camp as an aide for little kids.

Lots of camps make kids pay for the privilege of being a "counselor in training" or won't take a kid whose parents have shelled out hundreds of dollars a week in prior years to have been a camper in past years...(if you have examples of camps that don't fit this model, do share.)

VisArts in Rockville has CIT positions that run for two weeks at a time over the summer so it’s a good way to get 80 hours quickly. No need to pay, but the days are long (8-4 ish, M-F).
It might be too late to apply for this summer though.

[Anonymous]

Find something adjacent to a hobby or sport your kid enjoys - good example above of playing music in retirement communities.

I volunteered at a therapeutic riding center when I was in middle/hs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Volunteer at a summer camp as an aide for little kids.

Lots of camps make kids pay for the privilege of being a "counselor in training" or won't take a kid whose parents have shelled out hundreds of dollars a week in prior years to have been a camper in past years...(if you have examples of camps that don't fit this model, do share.)

City of Rockville camps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Find something adjacent to a hobby or sport your kid enjoys - good example above of playing music in retirement communities.

I volunteered at a therapeutic riding center when I was in middle/hs.

This. We’re in VA, but my kid does sports with younger kids who have developmental disabilities and enjoys it.

[Anonymous]

Swim team

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids did this program for a couple summers and it was a fantastic experience and loads of SSL. Beware, this opportunity is not well publicized and usually the W-schools are told about it so that other kids from other schools do not even hear about this opportunity.

I would suggest asking for clarity abouthow many spots are going to students from affluent schools for these opportunities.


https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/dtecps/title1/elo/

What an opportunity indeed, I see for a select few.

It's a Title I program with Free MCPS bus transportation available within each school’s regular catchment area. So, it is unlikely they they hide this opportunity from the schools themselves, and former participants certainly grow up and can be volunteers.

The real issue, IMO, with a forced SSL requirement is that sometimes, only those who are from affluent FAMILIES can afford to work, ahem, volunteer, at these freebie opportunities. This is an issue itself.

My kid did a paid [by us] stint at the Y summer camp to earn his SSL hours. Enjoyed time there as a camper and again as a CIT.