Summer volunteer opportunities for teens are a great way to help our community, grow leadership skills, gain experience and fulfill school requirements. United Way of Berks County has compiled a list of youth volunteer opportunities across a wide variety of interests. Contact information is included in each listing. If you don’t find something here, consider calling your school, church and local service organizations. You can also search for volunteer opportunities that interest you.
Jump to:
The Arts | Community Health | Events | Food | Job Experience | Kids and Teens | Outdoors | Retail | Science | Seniors
The Arts
THE YOCUM INSTITUTE FOR ARTS EDUCATION
Arts Camps and Theater Productions
Be creative, gain skills and support the arts in our community. Volunteers in ninth grade through adult are needed for a variety of arts camps, outreach classes at area libraries and show production support (costumes, props, tech, ushers). Work with professional artists, musicians, dancers, actors and directors from June 13 – August 24. Camps and classes are offered for ages 2-15 and are held on-site and various off-site locations. All volunteers must submit clearances as mandated by PA. Special incentives if you commit to a minimum of 25 hours.
Contact Beverly Houck at primarystages@gmail.com or 610-376-1576
Community Health
BERKS TEENS
Youth Ambassadors
Our goal is to empower youth to make smart and safe decisions for themselves and their futures. BT is looking for high school students, grades 9-12, who are interested in serving as a Youth Ambassador (YA). Our YAs lead our work by providing peer education to local youth, serving as the youth “face” of BT at local events and learning about healthy sexuality so they can be empowered leaders in the community. Our teens say that some of the best things about being a YA are community outings, meeting friends and becoming part of a core group. This program is also an excellent preparation for youth, either for their resumes or future professions and occupations. We meet for 1-2 hours each week during the summer and most of the school year. We also have virtual or in-person meeting options to better meet scheduling and availability.
Contact Heather Ulrich hulrich@cocountywellnessservices.org or 610-375-6523 X113
THE LGBT CENTER OF GREATER READING
Drop In/Welcome
Monday through Friday we allow people to drop in and utilize space, hang out, eat, drink, use Wi-Fi and access any services available onsite. We are looking for volunteers to keep our community comfortable and safe while visiting. Ages 16 and up welcome.
Contact Ryan Griffin-Silveri lgbtcenterofreadingcare@gmail.com or 484-513-3170
Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading
Animal Rescue League – June 21 from 10 AM – 12 PM
YVC will be touring the newly renovated Animal Rescue League of Berks County and completing a project on site to directly benefit the animals at the shelter. The Animal Rescue League of Berks County cares for more than 4,500 animals each year helping them to find new homes, or to be reunited with their owners.
Holy Spirit Horse Sanctuary – June 23 from 9 -11 AM
Join us at Holy Spirit Horse Sanctuary, a horse and animal rescue as we interact with the animals on the farm, learn about animal (horse) care, and all things equine. This a wonderful opportunity to engage with the animals on the farm, learn something new and maybe even take a horse ride.
Contact lindsay@voiceupberks.org or visit www.voiceupberks.org to sign up
Events
SAFE BERKS
Walk for No More
The WALK FOR NO MORE is Safe Berks annual fundraising and outreach event held at the kickoff of Art on the Avenue on Saturday, June 18. Volunteers are needed to assist with set up, tear down, and participate in the walk and various activities during the day.
Contact Mindy McIntosh at mindym@SafeBerks.org or 610-468-9637
THE LGBT CENTER OF GREATER READING
West Reading Rainbow Crawl – June 4
Volunteers 21 and up are needed to assist patrons visiting participating establishments, obtaining passes, access to prizes and other duties throughout the event.
Out In The Park – October 8
This second annual festival brings entertainment, resources, and a space to be yourself. Volunteers ages 16 and up will assist with parking, vendors, stage management, kids’ corner, pet parade and more.
Contact Leah Fuoco at lgbtcenterofreadingfrontdesk@gmail.com or 484-513-3170
Food
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF BERKS COUNTY
Deliver a Meal to Habitat for Humanity Volunteers
Use your culinary skills to make and deliver breakfast or lunch to our construction or ReStore volunteers. Our construction volunteers are renovating homes for Habitat homeowners, creating a safe and beautiful place to live. Our ReStore volunteers are busy unloading trucks, getting merchandise ready for the sales floor or helping customers.
Contact Eneida Powell at eneidap@habitatberks.org or610-621-0011
HELPING HARVEST FRESH FOOD BANK
Hunger Fighters Needed
Helping Harvest is always looking for new volunteers to join our mission to end hunger. Please log on to our website www.helpingharvest.org to find a list of the volunteer opportunities we offer and click on our red volunteer button to complete the volunteer form. We have volunteer opportunities on a variety of days and times. Volunteers must be at least 12 years of age and those 12-15 years of age must volunteer as a team with a parent/guardian, while those 16 or older may volunteer on their own. We look forward to having you help those in our community in need.
Contact Heather Matz at hmatz@helpingharvest.org or 610-926-5802 X220
OPPORTUNITY HOUSE
Prepare and Drop Off a Meal
We serve three meals per day 7 days a week. The need is great, and we can certainly use the help to provide the meals to the clients of Opportunity House. Donating a meal makes a positive and immediate impact for our clients and Berks County.
You can sign up for a meal at www.opphouse.org/volunteer or Contact Stacy Perlaki at sperlaki@opphouse.org or 610-374-4696 X231
SAFE BERKS
Calling All Cooks
We are looking for families, organizations, community groups or local churches to either cook OR sponsor dinner from a local restaurant to feed approximately 30 clients in our Safe House. Whether your group can provide dinner monthly or just one time, your help is appreciated.
Contact Mindy McIntosh at mindym@safeberks.org or 610-468-9637
The LGBT Center of Greater Reading
Warm Meal Wednesdays
Every third Wednesday of the month a warm meal is prepared for 100+ individuals who are food insecure and need a warm meal. Tasks include meal prep, serving, packaging meals for distribution in the community and cleaning up. Ages 16 and up welcome, under 16 require a parent or guardian permission
Contact Ryan Griffin-Silveri lgbtcenterofreadingcare@gmail.com or 484-513-3170.
Job Experience
Berks Youth Chorus
Social Media/Marketing Helper and Fundraising Assistant
BYC is looking for a volunteer 15 years and older to help with our social media and marketing, in a way that convinces kids grades 3-12 to sing with us. Our summer is all about recruiting singers for our summer camp (“Summer Sing”), and for our new year! We will also have fundraising projects with individuals and local businesses, and we’d love some help making them a success.
If you like music and community service, and you want to learn how to build relationships with all kinds of people—come check us out
Contact Sam Barge 610-898-7664 or director@berksyouthchorus.org
Children’s Home of Reading (CHOR)
Office and General Volunteers Needed
CHOR has a variety of projects and tasks that need some TLC. A few examples of our volunteer opportunities include clerical help, data entry, mailings, donation organization, cleaning, community events and just general help. To qualify, we ask that you be a positive, friendly person. Minimum age preferred is 18 years old.
Contact Elizabeth Hafer or ehafer@choreading.org or 610-478-8266 X427, 484-577-6488
Habitat for Humanity of Berks County
Teen Takeover of the ReStore Social Media
Use your creativity to create content and post it on the ReStore’s Facebook and Instagram pages. You could do this for a day, a few days a week, or make a summer commitment. This could be a resume-building opportunity for a student interested in retail, marketing, public relations and media.
Build Your Resume and Office Skills
Students 16 and older will play a vital role in supporting our office projects including clerical assistance, data entry and collection, filing, prepping meeting materials, archiving materials, photocopying, and project assignments for accounting, human resources, and administrative staff.
Contact Eneida Powell eneidap@habitatberks.org or 610-621-0011
Western Berks Free Medical Clinic
Office Help
We are looking for one or two teen volunteers 16 years or entering Junior year of high school for a special project at the Robesonia location of our free healthcare clinic. Volunteers will be under staff supervision in determining and shredding outdated files while adhering to strict confidentiality standards. This project may take between one to two weekdays on mutually convenient dates.
Contact us at clinic@wbfmc.net or 610-693-6207
Kids and Teens
GIRLS ON THE RUN OF BERKS COUNTY
Summer Camp Volunteer
Make a difference in the lives of girls in our community. GOTR is looking for volunteers ages 18 and up to assist with our camp program. Volunteers receive training as coaches to help facilitate our camp program for third- fifth grade girls from August 1- 5 and will take place at Penn State Berks Campus. Volunteers may choose between two shifts: 8 am-4 pm (lunch included) or 8 AM-12:30 PM. The theme this year is GIRLS HAVE POWER. Camp GOTR is filled with fun lessons, games, physical activities, and arts & crafts that teach girls about the power of their emotions and how to use them to increase their own Girl Power. Please complete our Camp Coach Application at https://www.pinwheel.us/volunteer/index/GOTR-Berks-Summer-2022-Camp-GOTR-Coach-Application and provide copies of background clearances.
Contact Tania Hollos 484-332-6132 x2 or tania@gotrberks.org
Olivet Boys & Girls Club
Summer Camp Volunteer
Help lend a hand and make a difference in the lives of local kids at one of our nine Olivet Clubs. Volunteers ages 17 and up will assist our staff with our 10-week summer camp that includes ten different themed weeks, arts & crafts activities, sports activities, and field trips. Volunteers are required to obtain background clearances.
Contact Abby Frost at Abigail.Frost@olivetbgc.org or 610-373-1314
ROCK HOLLOW WOOD ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER
Outdoor Youth Summer Camp Volunteer
Volunteer June 20 – August 5 at our unique 67-acre nonprofit learning center whose mission is to provide children with outdoor opportunities to discover and learn about the natural world and empower them to protect their environment. Volunteers will be assisting teachers and children grades K-7 in their authentic, hands-on experiences. Some of the camps include Art Exploration through Nature, Wetland Investigations, Wildlife CSI and numerous others. Modeling appropriate behavior is important and a love for nature and children is a plus. Days and times are flexible.
Contact Michelle Zeitz at michellezeitz.rockhollowwoods.org or call 610-582-0415.
SHADY HOLLOW ASSISTED RIDING
Assisted Riding Volunteers
Shady Hollow provides children and adults with physical and emotional disabilities the opportunity to ride a horse. Without volunteers, we would not be able to offer this amazing service. Become a volunteer and experience what joy our riders get from being on one of our horses. No experience needed; all volunteers receive training before helping with lessons.
Contact Leigh Stauffer at volunteer@hugahorse.com or 610-812-2054 or Michele Cooper at michele@hugahorse.com or 610-858-7937
THE LGBT CENTER OF GREATER READING
Camp Counselors
Volunteer from July 18-22 at our day camp for youth aged 14-17 to discover leadership skills and develop identity. You will have access to the outdoors, animals, crafts, meals, snacks and more. Ages 18 years and up are welcome to apply.
Contact Tasha Santiago lgbtcenterofreadingtraining@gmail.com or 484-513-3170
THE SALVATION ARMY
Summer Camp Counselor
Support children during their daily activities including pool time and fun weekly field trips at our Summer Day Camp. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age, reliable and trustworthy and love working with kids.
Contact Lt. Hector Cid at hector.cid@use.salvationarmy.org or Yesenia Mejia at yesenia.mejia@use.salvationarmy.org or 610-373-5208 X207
United Way of Berks County
Books for Bikes Summer Program
This unique program will be held outside at the pavilion by the Berks Community Health Center, 1040 Liggett Ave., Reading – Monday thru Friday from June 13 – August 5, 12 – 1:30 PM. Volunteers 16 years or older will assist with literacy activities planned with children Pre-K – 3rd grade and supervised by YMCA staff and other adult volunteers. You may select the day you wish to volunteer such as every Monday. You will have a chance to see the joy on the faces of the children participating when they receive a brand-new bike at the end of the program if they participate in 30 of the 40 days.
Contact Darby Wiekrykas at darbyw@uwberks.org or 610-685-4574
Outdoors
BERKS ENCORE
Outdoor Clean-up and Maintenance
Berks Encore has 1-day service opportunities to help with parking lot and outdoor maintenance to help keep our Reading Center – 40 N. Ninth Street, Reading – in top shape. Adult and teen volunteers (14 years and older – must be accompanied by an adult between the ages of 14-17). Small groups are welcome to participate.
Contact Jim Youndt 610-374-3195 X237 or jyoundt@berksencore.org
Nolde Forest EE Center
Earn your Eagle Scout Rank/Gold Award
Great opportunities available for current self-motivated boy and girl scouts to make a difference and earn the rank of Eagle Scout/Gold Award. Select from one of several projects, or propose your own, here within Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center. Use your leadership training and gain valuable skills to improve visitor experience.
Contact Brent Erb at noldeforestsp@pa.gov or 610-796-3699
PHOEBE BERKS HEALTH CARE CENTER
Enjoy the Fresh Air
Adult and junior volunteers (12 years old or have graduated from the fifth can help our residents enjoy the summer weather by taking them outside for walks or just sit on our patio and chat awhile.
Contact Heather Donahue hdonahue@phoebe.org or 610-927-8188
SOUTH MOUNTAIN YMCA
Green Thumb Volunteers
Love being outdoors? Get in tune with nature and express your creative side by sprucing up the camp’s various flowerbeds. 600 acres are available for you to help plant flowers, mulch and do some painting. Volunteers must be 18 years or older, if younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Contact Tracey Braymiller at ycamps@smymca.org or 610-670-2267
Retail
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF BERKS COUNTY
ReStore Volunteers
Volunteers aged 16 and older will assist with the daily operations of our ReStore. They will be assisting customers, replenishing or re-organizing merchandise and/or working to keep the store clean. Opportunities are available when the store is open: Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9 AM to 6 PM. We ask that volunteers plan on at least a three-hour shift.
Contact Eneida Powell at eneidap@habitatberks.org or 610-621-0011
Seniors
BERKS ENCORE
Meals on Wheels Delivery Volunteer
Brighten a senior’s day by helping to deliver meals to our homebound seniors. Adult and teen volunteers (12 years and older – accompanied by an adult up to the age of 18) are needed to deliver meals from our six center locations – Reading, Shillington, Fleetwood, Douglassville, Strausstown, and Wernersville. Volunteers that deliver the meals arrive at their assigned center between 9:30 – 10:00 AM. It takes approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours to deliver the meals on their assigned route depending on the number of stops for the day. Meals are delivered in time for our customers to enjoy their meal for lunch. Bring a smile to a homebound senior… you may be the only person they will see that day!
Contact Rita Phillips 610-374-3195 X 225 or rphillips@berksencore.org
PHOEBE BERKS HEALTH CARE CENTER
Share your talents
Can you sing, dance or play an instrument? We are always looking for volunteers willing to share their talent with us!
We need you!
Want to warm a heart & create a smile? Adult and junior volunteers (12 years old or have graduated from the 5th grade) are needed to help transport, deliver laundry, assist with activities, reading, visit with our residents and much more. No matter how much time you have to give, our residents appreciate every minute.
Contact Heather Donahue hdonahue@phoebe.org or 610-927-8188
Science
READING SCIENCE CENTER
Hands on Science Museum Helper
Opportunity for experts in STEM field to volunteer as a presenter during our “Curious in the Classroom” program from 12-3 PM on Saturdays.
General Volunteers
Duties include helping with ticket sales, crowd flow, answer questions pertaining to exhibits and assist guests as they explore the center Tuesdays 10 AM–3 PM and Saturdays from 11 AM–5 PM. Volunteers must be 16 to volunteer, submit background clearances and attend a brief orientation before their first day.
Contact Liz Lally at liz.lally@rdgsci.org or 484-878-2112