Summer 2025 Is Here, But It’s Not Too Late to Make a Difference: Volunteer Opportunities for Teens in New Jersey

By Spencer Jahng
June 3, 2025June 11, 2025
volunteer jobs listing

Hey fellow students! I know summer is already in full swing, but here’s the thing – it’s definitely not too late to set up a meaningful volunteer role that can last just a couple of weeks or stretch through the entire summer1. If you’re a student who has been exploring ways to give back while building your resume, you will discover that New Jersey has tons of amazing opportunities specifically designed for people your age. Whether you’re looking to explore a potential career path, meet new people, or just make a positive impact in your community, there are options that fit every schedule and interest.

Healthcare and Medical Volunteering

Hospital Programs That Welcome Teen Volunteers

If you’re interested in healthcare, several hospitals across New Jersey have established teen volunteer programs that are perfect for summer involvement5 14. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital offers one of the most flexible programs for teens aged 15-18, with weekday opportunities from 4-6 PM for 15+ year-olds and 6-8 PM shifts for those 16 and older14. They require a minimum 100-hour annual commitment, but you can spread this out over the summer months14.

Holy Name Medical Center runs a Junior Volunteer program specifically for students aged 16-18 in grades 9-1210. During summer sessions, they offer 4-hour shifts Monday through Friday, either 8 AM to 12 PM or 12 PM to 4 PM10. The program requires a six-month commitment with 75 hours of service, but the summer intensive format makes it totally doable10.

For those interested in specialized healthcare, Rutgers Cancer Institute offers a summer volunteer program that requires an 8-hour weekly commitment Monday through Friday, with morning and afternoon shifts only8. This program gives you direct exposure to a world-class healthcare setting while supporting patients and their families8.

Jersey Cares: Flexible Options for Every Schedule

Jersey Cares has become my go-to recommendation for students who want flexible volunteer opportunities1. They host quarterly Youth Service Events, including a public event on July 17, 2025, for ages 4-18, and a Teen Service Event on July 23, 2025, specifically for ages 14-181. These events are perfect if you want to jump in without a long-term commitment.

What’s really cool is their Youth Social Media Ambassador program for ages 13-201. As someone who’s constantly on social media anyway, this lets you earn volunteer service hours by promoting volunteer engagement through your existing platforms1. You get guidelines and tips to post exclusive content, and it’s a great way to build your digital marketing skills while helping recruit more volunteers1.

DIY Projects That Fit Your Schedule

Jersey Cares also offers Do-It-Yourself volunteer projects that are perfect for summer flexibility1. You can assemble First Night Kits for homeless shelters (earning up to 5 volunteer hours), create No-Sew Fleece Blankets (up to 5 hours), or make cards for senior citizens, first responders, or healthcare heroes (up to 3 hours)1. These projects can be done on your own time, making them ideal for busy summer schedules1.

Food Security and Community Support

Community FoodBank of New Jersey

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey welcomes volunteers aged 16-17 with written parental permission6. You can help at their warehouse locations in Hillside and Egg Harbor Township, sorting and repacking food items, assembling emergency food boxes, and packaging bulk products into family-sized portions6. This type of hands-on work really shows you the direct impact of community service6.

Environmental and Animal Welfare

New Jersey Audubon Society Summer Programs

If you’re passionate about environmental conservation, the New Jersey Audubon Society offers volunteer opportunities including summer camp counselor positions at three nature centers across the state7. They’re specifically looking for interested teens, which means you’d have a real chance of being selected7. This combines outdoor work with educational outreach, giving you experience in environmental education7.

Animal Shelter Volunteering

St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center offers multiple volunteer positions for teens, though they require at least 8 hours a month over a six-month period17. However, once you complete the minimum 50 hours, they’ll verify your community service hours17. Teens can start with non-animal handling roles at age 16, working in kennel/cattery cleaning or laundry before being trained to work directly with animals17.

Red Cross and Emergency Services

Red Cross Clubs and Youth Programs

The American Red Cross New Jersey operates Red Cross Clubs for high school students aged 13-174. These clubs provide meaningful opportunities to learn about disaster response, blood drives, and community outreach4. What I love about these programs is that they build character and provide tools for leadership development while connecting you with other young volunteers who share your passion for helping others4.

Library and Educational Programs

Princeton Public Library Teen Summer Volunteer Program

The Princeton Public Library runs a Teen Summer Volunteer program specifically for rising 8th through 12th graders from June 15 to August 153. This program requires only a 10-hour minimum commitment, making it perfect for a short-term summer volunteer experience3. Volunteers serve as library ambassadors, support summer reading activities, and help connect with teens in the community3.

Applications for 2025 were accepted from April 15 to June 13, but it’s worth checking if they have any last-minute openings or if you can get on a waiting list3. The program includes positions like Literacy Advocate, where you can earn hours by reviewing books and creating digital content for the library’s teen social media accounts3.

Getting Started: Application Tips and Requirements

Most teen volunteer positions require completed applications, parental consent forms for minors, and background checks where applicable5 10 14. For healthcare positions, you’ll typically need medical clearance and immunization records5 14. Many programs also require orientation sessions and training5 14.

Here’s my advice for getting started quickly:

Apply immediately to multiple programs since some have limited spots
Have your parent or guardian ready to sign consent forms
Get your medical records organized if you’re interested in hospital volunteering
Be flexible with your schedule – showing availability increases your chances of acceptance

Making It Work for Your Summer Plans

The beauty of these opportunities is that many are designed to work around summer schedules1 3 10. Whether you’re looking for a intensive multi-week commitment or prefer spreading hours throughout the summer, there are options that fit. Some programs like Jersey Cares’ DIY projects can even be done completely on your own timeline1.

Remember, volunteering isn’t just about fulfilling community service requirements – it’s a chance to explore potential career paths, develop professional skills, and build a network of connections that could be valuable for college applications and future opportunities1 4 17. Plus, there’s honestly something really satisfying about knowing you’re making a tangible difference in your community.

So don’t let the fact that summer is already underway stop you from getting involved. Many of these organizations are still accepting applications, and some have rolling admissions throughout the summer months1 3. The key is to reach out now and get the ball rolling – you might be surprised how quickly you can get started making a meaningful impact.

List of links you can use:

Updates for High School Student Volunteers