New Jersey Volunteer Opportunities for NJ Teens (Ages 16–19) For Summer 2025
Currently Open/Ongoing Opportunities (Accepting Applications Now)
- Intensive Therapeutics – Summer Camp Volunteer.
Location: West Caldwell, Essex County (in-person).
Ages: 16+. Volunteers assist occupational and speech therapists in Summer 2025 intensive therapy camps for children and young adults with special needs (camp sessions run June 23 – Aug 15, 2025). Deadline: No fixed deadline (rolling applications until camps begin).
How to apply: Fill out the contact form via their VolunteerMatch listing (background check and orientation required). - ENGin Program – Virtual English Conversation Partner.
Location: Online (remote; open to NJ teens statewide).
Ages: 13+ (high school students 16–19 eligible). Volunteers commit to one hour per week of video chatting to help Ukrainian youth practice English and exchange culture. No teaching experience or Ukrainian language needed (training and materials provided). Deadline: None (volunteers accepted year-round).
How to apply: Sign up on the ENGin volunteer page. - Family Promise of Bergen County – Youth Council Member.
Location: Hackensack, Bergen County (meetings/events in-person).
Ages: High school (≈14–18). The Youth Council for the Homeless engages teens in monthly volunteer activities to help families facing homelessness and hunger. Projects include preparing dinners for shelter guests, running awareness/fundraising events, and serving as summer camp counselors for kids in need. Deadline: None (ongoing program, meets monthly).
How to join: Email the Youth Council Director to get involved (📧 familypromiseyouthcouncil@gmail.com). - RWJ University Hospital (RWJUH) – Hospital Teen Volunteer.
Location: New Brunswick (Middlesex) or Somerville (Somerset) campuses.
Ages: 15–18 (must have completed 9th grade). Teens support hospital staff for 2–3 hours per week (minimum 100 hours/year) by greeting visitors, delivering items, assisting on nursing floors, etc.. Note: Limited positions on weekdays after school (no weekend slots). Deadline: No specific deadline (applications accepted on a rolling basis, subject to availability).
How to apply: Email the Volunteer Services Director to request an application (medical clearance and orientation are required). - Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter – Animal Care Volunteer.
Location: East Hanover, Morris County.
Ages: 16+ (separate “junior” roles for ages 10–15). Volunteers help care for homeless cats and dogs at this no-kill shelter – from feeding and cleaning to socializing animals (training provided). Deadline: None (ongoing need for volunteers).
How to apply: Submit a volunteer application on the shelter’s website. - Reeves-Reed Arboretum – Ground Force Gardening Volunteer.
Location: Summit, Union County (outdoor gardens).
Ages: 14+ (12–13 with adult). Join Saturday morning work sessions to help plant, weed, mulch, and maintain trails in the arboretum’s gardens (projects vary by season). Volunteers can participate in one or multiple sessions (held 10am–12pm on Saturdays in April through July). Deadline: No deadline – sign up for any upcoming session (registration required).
How to apply: Register via the arboretum’s VolunteerMatch page or website (choose desired dates). - Sussex County Library – Summer Reading Program Volunteer. Location: Sussex County (at local library branches).
Ages: 14–18. Help run the “Color Our World” Summer Reading Program (June 26 – July 26, 2025) by assisting with events, crafts, and program sign-ups for younger children.
Deadline: June 14, 2025 – teen volunteer applications and parental consent forms are due by this date (orientation sessions will be held at library branches prior to program kickoff).
How to apply: Complete the online volunteer application on the Sussex County Library website or inquire at any Sussex County Library branch. - Intensive Therapeutics (West Caldwell) – Therapy Camp Volunteer. Location: West Caldwell, Essex County.
Ages: 16+. Assist therapists and provide peer support in intensive therapy camps for kids and teens with special needs, including “Camp Helping Hands” and “Camp Leaps & Bounds”.
Dates: Volunteers are needed on weekdays during camp sessions (running from late June through mid-August 2025). This is a hands-on opportunity to gain experience in occupational/physical therapy settings. Deadline: No hard deadline, but apply in spring 2025 before camps begin (spots may fill up).
How to apply: Use the contact form on Intensive Therapeutics’ volunteer info page (an interview and orientation may be required).
Sources: The information was gathered from New Jersey volunteer opportunity listings and official organization pages, including the NJ High School Volunteers database, VolunteerMatch postings, and press releases from county libraries and hospitals.
