17 Community Service Ideas for High School Students

Students tend to have a one-dimensional view of what community service entails. If they’re not tutoring younger students or serving meals at a local homeless shelter, what other community service is there? In reality, high school students can find various ways to make an impact — the possibilities are endless! 

It’s important to choose extracurricular activities that you can commit to long-term and that align with your interests. And if you can’t find the right volunteer opportunity, create one! Keep reading for some ideas and tips.

Does Community Service Help with College?

While community service impacts college admissions, you can’t just add any community service to your activities list. Colleges are looking for students who are wholeheartedly involved in a few activities related to their interests — it’s about quality, not quantity.

Admissions officers also want to see how you are going to contribute to the campus community and make the school a better place. What better way to demonstrate that potential than with service activities in your local community?

17 Community Service Ideas

These ideas will help you develop organizational and leadership skills — not to mention, you will make connections and further develop your interests.

1. Organizing Food Drives

Organizing a food drive is a great way to make an impact inside and outside of the classroom. Partner with a local charity or food bank, then recruit classmates and teachers to help with planning and promotion. You can set up food collection sites around your school and community and arrange for regular pick-ups to keep things organized.

2. Hosting Talent Shows for Local Shelters 

Talent shows are a great fundraiser. Once you find a venue and set a date for the event, you can enlist volunteers to assist you with the planning, auditions, setup, and ticket and refreshment sales. All proceeds can be donated to the shelters. Just don’t forget to invite staff members from the shelters to attend!

3. Planning Environmental Clean-Up Initiatives

Does a park or beach in your community need litter clean-up, invasive species removal, or trail maintenance? Secure permission first, then gather a team of volunteers to help you with your efforts. Provide the necessary supplies and ensure everyone follows safety guidelines. You can make the event fun by incorporating games or competitions. 

4. Creating Art Workshops for Children

If you’re artistically inclined, consider planning a series of art workshops for children that feature different techniques and themes. Seek donations for art supplies, and recruit friends or classmates to help with setup and supervision. You can even display the kids’ artwork in a mini exhibition. This could be a great addition to your art portfolio for college.

5. Tech Tutoring for Seniors

Local senior centers or libraries can connect you with senior citizens who need help with technology. Plan sessions that cover basic skills like using smartphones, navigating the internet, and sending emails. Create simple, easy-to-follow guides and handouts to help seniors practice on their own. Be patient and use clear, jargon-free language during your sessions. Encourage questions and provide hands-on assistance.

6. Building Community Gardens

Identify a suitable location and obtain the necessary permissions from local authorities. Enlist volunteers to help plan the layout of the garden and organize fundraising events or seek donations for supplies. Once the garden is established, schedule regular maintenance days and involve the community in caring for and enjoying the garden. You can even celebrate the harvest with a community event!

7. Assisting in Nursing Homes

You can bring joy and companionship to nursing home residents simply by reading to them, playing games, or helping with arts and crafts. Contact local nursing homes to inquire about volunteer opportunities and any specific needs they may have. Encourage your friends and classmates to join you in these efforts. Your presence and support can make a significant difference in their lives.

8. Running Workshops at Local Youth Centers

If you have a youth center in your community, reach out to ask about their needs and interests. You can plan engaging and educational workshops on topics like art, science, sports, or life skills — choose an interest that you want to share with others. Gather any necessary materials and seek donations if needed. During the workshops, create a fun and inclusive environment, encouraging participation and interaction.

9. Organizing Pet Adoption Events

Help local animal shelters or rescue organizations empty their kennels. Secure a venue, such as a park or community center, and set a date for the event. Find volunteers to help with setup, managing the pets, and assisting visitors. Provide information about each pet, including their history and care needs, to help match them with suitable families.

10. Coordinating Mental Health Awareness Campaigns

Plan a series of events, such as workshops, guest speaker sessions, and informational booths, to educate peers about mental health issues and available support. Local mental health organizations or school counselors can provide information and resources. Create engaging materials like brochures, flyers, and videos to spread awareness. Make it a group effort — ask friends and classmates to help organize and run the events. 

11. Creating Care Packages for the Homeless

Local shelters and organizations can provide you with a list of needed items and distribute the care packages, too. Organize a donation drive for essential items, then organize a packing event and register volunteers to help you assemble the care packages. Once the care packages are assembled, you can deliver them for distribution.

12. Initiating Recycling Programs in Schools

Become an environmental sustainability champion at your school. Partner with local recycling facilities to understand what materials can be recycled. After getting approval from school administrators, set up labeled bins around the school and promote their use to students and staff. Regularly collect and monitor the bins to ensure proper sorting. Track the program’s progress and share results to encourage participation. 

13. Leading Fitness Classes for Seniors

Advocate for senior wellness by connecting with a local senior center or community center to offer fitness classes. Plan simple, low-impact exercises, focusing on flexibility, balance, and strength. Gather any necessary equipment, like mats or resistance bands, and ensure a safe environment. During the classes, provide clear instructions and demonstrations, and encourage participants to go at their own pace.

14. Helping Local Charities

Charities usually need volunteers for events, fundraisers, or daily operations. You can also help by organizing donation drives and promoting the charity on social media to encourage others to get involved. Your efforts can make a significant difference in supporting the charity’s mission and helping those in need, especially if you make a long-term commitment to volunteering.

15. Creating Digital Content for Nonprofits

Put your creativity to good use by offering to create content for your favorite nonprofit organization — if they need the help, of course! Use your skills in graphic design, writing, or video editing to produce engaging and informative materials for social media and blogs that promote their mission and raise awareness and support. The content you create can significantly enhance the nonprofit’s outreach and impact.

16. Collaborating with Local Farmers

If agriculture is an interest, consider working with farmers in your community. Offer to help with tasks like planting, harvesting, or organizing farm stands. You could also promote their produce through social media or school events. Organize farm visits or educational workshops to connect your peers with local agriculture. This is a great way to support local farmers, promote sustainable practices, and strengthen community ties.

17. Providing English Language Tutoring

Want to help others improve their English language learning? Offer your services through libraries, local schools, and community centers. Plan lessons that cover basic grammar, vocabulary, and conversation skills, and use engaging materials that make learning fun. Be patient and encouraging, adapting your teaching style to meet each learner’s needs.

How to Choose Your Best-Match Community Service

As you can see from our list, there are many ways to make an impact — community service isn’t one-size-fits-all. These tips can help you find community service opportunities that match your interests.

Focus Your Interests

To find service opportunities that interest you, you first need to identify what those interests are. Many students, especially ninth and 10th graders, get involved in several different activities or hobbies without making a significant impact. This is your opportunity to do so. 

Focus your interests by identifying a couple of things that you really enjoy and deepening your involvement. For example, if you love filmmaking, join your school’s media department, create a filmmakers club, and research different aspects of the industry. By first figuring out what you’re passionate about, whether it’s filmmaking or something else, you can then begin to form an idea of how you can use that to give back to your local community.

Look in the Usual Places

Sometimes it’s easier to find meaningful community service opportunities than you may think — all it takes is some research and outreach. Start your search by checking out the usual suspects — service projects your school or religious community might be sponsoring, the local food bank or animal shelter, your local Boys and Girls club, or other after school programs for kids.

Reach out to local organizations to find out about their needs and if there are open opportunities that match your interests. Remember, it’s not about finding the most unusual community service opportunity, it’s about finding something personally meaningful that will make an impact. Colleges want to see students exploring their interests and making a difference. It’s ok to go the “usual” route to fulfill those goals.

Think Outside the Box

Sometimes students find that the most common service opportunities or organizations don’t have any readily apparent opportunities that match their interests. Don’t give up! This is your opportunity to get creative and forge your own opportunities. 

Let’s go back to the filmmaking example. A local after school program might not be looking for someone to teach kids a filmmaking course, but maybe they’re looking for additional mentors. Use those filmmaking skills to help create a video that highlights the organization, what it means to be a mentor, and how potential mentors can apply. Or organize a fundraiser for a local cause by hosting a screening of a relevant documentary at the local theater. You don’t have to be on the front lines of a service organization to make an impact. Use your skills to help further a cause you’re passionate about and that really helps your community.

Learn to Network

Use connections you’ve made through other activities or internships to learn about potential service opportunities. Networking isn’t just useful for a job search, it’s also a great way to learn more about a field of interest and get information on additional opportunities. Talk with your internship supervisor, activity sponsor, or other connection in a field of interest to brainstorm ideas for a service project that can help an organization you’re currently working with. Sometimes these connections can put you in touch with someone else who can help you realize your vision. Don’t be afraid to network and build relationships — it can help open doors for activities you may have never considered before.

Community service is a great way for students to give back, make an impact, and hone their skills or interests. Students shouldn’t choose a service activity just because they think it’ll look good on their college application. They should invest their time in activities that they really enjoy and that help them gain better insight into a field of interest or study they want to pursue in college.

Get Expert Advice for Your Extracurricular Activities

Having trouble identifying extracurricular activities or community service projects that match your interests? Our team of expert counselors works with students throughout various stages of the counseling process to help them develop their interests, find activities that match those interests, and help them identify the best ways to make an impact in their local community.

Contact us today for more information on our college counseling services.