Students have about 50 days of summer break stretching ahead of them before they head back to school. If middle school, high school and college students are looking for something to keep them busy this summer, here are several volunteer opportunities to gain work experience, explore potential careers, build resumes and make a difference in the community. From removing invasive species to maintaining trails to picking fruit for the food bank to working at the library, students will find plenty of volunteer opportunities.
1. Fort Vancouver Regional Library
• Who: Middle school, high school and college-age students.
• What: Label books for Summer Reading Program prizes, assemble first-time library cardholder kits for kids, sort withdrawn materials for library foundation book sales, scrapbook magazine pictures to help English as a Second Language programs.
• When: Noon to 5 p.m. every Wednesday.
• Where: Fort Vancouver Regional Library District Headquarters, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver.
• Notes: “Volunteers learn to work as part of a team, to follow directions and to follow a schedule. It piques their interest in reading during the summer too,” said Sherry Braga, volunteer coordinator.
• Contact: Volunteer Coordinator Sherry Braga at 360-906-5075 or volunteer@fvrl.org
• Website: www.fvrl.org
2. Urban Abundance
• Who: All ages, but youths younger than 18 need a signed parental permission form, which is available on the website.
• What: Gleaning — picking surplus fruit for local food banks.
• When: Various backyard harvests July through September; big pear harvest second week of August with three-hour morning or evening shifts; mulching at two community gardens in August and September.
• Where: Various fruit orchards in Clark County.
• Notes: Families with youth of all ages help harvest. Volunteers may keep some of the fruit. Volunteers will be working outside in all weather. Dress appropriately.
• Contact: Warren Neth at 360-771-1296 or info@myurbanabundance.org
• Website: www.myurbanabundance.org
3. Parks Foundation of Clark County
• Who: Ages 13 and older.
• What: Maintaining trails, picking up litter, removing invasive plants.
• When: Varies; next opportunity is Whipple Creek Trail maintenance from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 22 at 17202 N.W. 21st Ave., Ridgefield.
• Where: Various parks and natural spaces in Clark County.
• Notes: Volunteers will be working outside in the weather. Dress appropriately. Bring work gloves.
• Contact: 360-397-2285 ext. 1627, e-mail volunteer@parkhero.org to sign up for an event or complete a volunteer inquiry form online at www.parkhero.org
• Website: www.parkhero.org
4. Pearson Field Education Center
• Who: Ages 13 and older.
• What: Help visitors in flight simulator lab, building foam gliders, climbing into T-28 open cockpit airplane and more.
• When: 1 to 5 p.m. every Saturday; volunteers are also needed weekdays during aviation summer camps.
• Where: Pearson Field Education Center, 201 East Reserve St., Vancouver.
• Notes: Learn about aviation principals and local aviation history.
• Contact: Deborah Bessette, 360-992-1815 or deborah.bessette@fortvan.org
• Website: http://fortvan.org/Education/upcoming-programs.html
5. Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
• Who: All teens and young adults, but those 16 and younger need to volunteer with an adult.
• What: Volunteers can choose to help with habitat restoration by removing ricefield bulrush, an invasive plant species from wetlands; Cathlapotle Plankhouse volunteers give tours and work with kids at hands-on events at plankhouse.
• When: Habitat restoration from 9 a.m. to noon on select Wednesdays and Saturdays; Plankhouse volunteers work during the Second Sunday event.
• Where: Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, 1071 S. Hillhurst Road, Ridgefield.
• Notes: Habitat restoration requires working outdoors pulling weeds and getting dirty, possibly being around bees and mosquitoes, and working in the sun or the rain.
• Contact: Volunteer Coordinator Josie Finley at 360-887-4106 or e-mail josie_finley@fws.gov
• Website: www.fws.gov/refuge/ridgefield
6. Clark Public Utilities
• Who: Middle school students must be accompanied by an adult; high school students can volunteer on their own.
• What: Survey the Salmon Creek watershed to look for Japanese knotweed, an invasive species.
• When: Saturdays.
• Where: Various locations; call for directions.
• Notes: Volunteers will be working outside in the weather. Dress appropriately. Bring work gloves.
• Contact: 360-992-8585 or e-mail StreamTeam@clarkpud.com
• Website: www.StreamTeam.net
7. City of Vancouver
• Who: Ages 16 and older can be Volunteer Ambassadors for city events; ages 13 and younger must volunteer with an adult.
• What: Volunteer Ambassadors help with city events including summer concerts and movies in the park; other opportunities for ivy pulls, work parties, trail clean ups and more.
• When: Varies; next Blandford Canyon ivy pull for ages 13 and older is 6 to 8 p.m. July 13.
• Where: Various parks and trails.
• Notes: Check the city’s volunteer events calendar online for a complete list of opportunities.
• Contact: Volunteer Coordinator Hailey Heath at 360-487-8344 or e-mail cityvolunteer@cityofvancouver.us
• Website: www.cityofvancouver.us/volunteer
8. Columbia Springs
• Who: Youths 7 to 15 can volunteer with a parent or guardian; teens 16 and 17 can volunteer with parent or guardian’s signed permission; ages 18 and older welcome.
• What: Variety of volunteer projects, followed by an activity such as building bird feeders, weaving ivy baskets, picking blackberries or a guided hatchery tour.
• When: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20; must attend 9:10 a.m. orientation.
• Where: Swift Classroom inside the main hatchery building by the round cement fish ponds, Columbia Springs, 12208 S.E. Evergreen Highway, Vancouver.
• Notes: Register in advance. Snacks, tools, gloves and training are provided. Volunteers should wear outdoor and work-appropriate clothing. No open-toe shoes. Group volunteer projects are available.
• Contact: Volunteer Coordinator Kaley McLachlan-Burton at 360-882-0936 ext. 230 or e-mail volunteer@columbiasprings.org
