This Year, Make it a Summer of Service
Posted June 4th, 2012 | by The Update
(Right) Volunteers at Equest in Wylie assist in the therapeutic riding program for children with special needs.
Students enjoying the summer off look forward to a relaxing and refreshing break from school spending time with friends. But you’d be surprised how refreshing— and rewarding— summer volunteer work can be. And, you might just make some new friends along the way.
High school students who spend their summer – or even just part of it – volunteering can experience the very definition of a “win-win”: A charity gets much-needed assistance from an energetic young volunteer, and a student gets much-needed service hours to fill a school requirement or a college resume. Several organizations in the Dallas area welcome students’ help, whether for a few days, a few weeks or all summer. Following is a sampling of volunteer opportunities throughout the metroplex:
Arc of Dallas – July 11-29 and July 9-20: This organization operates a summer Adventure Camp for kids from age 5 and older with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Volunteers interact with campers to provide mentoring, friendship and staff support. Contact: camp@arcdallas.org.
Brother Bill’s Helping Hand – June 7, 8 and 9: This social service agency that enriches lives in west Dallas offers area kids a junior soccer clinic. Contact: volunteer@bbhh.org
Cancer Support Community (formerly Gilda’s Club) – July 16-30: At Camp Noogie, kids whose lives have been touched by cancer find a fun getaway. Contact: kwalgama@cancersupporttexas.org
Equest – Ongoing throughout the summer: This therapeutic riding program in Wylie provides riding and horsemanship instruction and enjoyment for kids of all ages. Contact: egrant@equest.org
Jubilee Park and Community Center – June 11-Aug. 10: This summer enrichment program serves the educational and recreational needs of neighborhood children. Contact: mleroy@jubileecenter.org
Museum of Nature and Science – June 9-10, July 14-15, Aug. 11-12: At Summer Discovery Days, volunteers help kids enjoy arts and crafts projects designed around science-related topics. Contact: fhilton@natureandscience.org
Project Transformation – June 11-Aug. 2: Day camps for over 800 underserved children at eight Dallas-area sites provide fun and education. Contact: shadburn@projecttransformation.org
Vogel Alcove – Ongoing throughout the summer: Serve as a “classroom buddy” while helping this organization serve the needs of homeless children. Contact: Suzette Mason, 214-368-8686 ext. 229
Voice of Hope Ministries – June 4-July 27: Summer day camp provides west Dallas kids a save haven and sustains learning in a recreational atmosphere. Contact: volunteer@voiceofhope.org
Wesley-Rankin Community Center – June 11-Aug. 2: School-age children enjoy lessons in science, math and the arts at this summer enrichment day camp. Contact: shellie@wesleyrankin.org
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