Summer lull? Volunteering builds character, brings joy

Summer boredom tends to kick in this time of year as the temperatures rise and kids have been out of school for more than a month. Take advantage of the chance to get everyone out of the house – and do some good in the community at the same time! This week, I’m sharing a few of my favorite ways to give back during the summer.

Summer camps

Camps are in full swing, and a large majority of them run and operate on volunteer time. My family volunteers frequently at weekend camps our church puts on, but there are also lots of opportunities to get involved with a local organization you are interested in. This could be a non-profit such as Camp Quality or Camp Encourage. It could also be community-based through your YMCA. If your kids are aged 11 to 18, the Young Volunteer Corps of Greater Kansas City can point them to many opportunities through their Summer of Service program.

Park cleanup

We spend a lot of time at our local parks and enjoy this tremendous asset to the community. Assisting the parks in their clean-up efforts is one way we can show our appreciation and spend an afternoon giving back. Personally, this is one of my favorite ways to volunteer with younger kids because it comes with a very tangible result. Your family will immediately see the impact of their contribution. Visit your area’s parks and recreation department to explore opportunities. It’s often as simple as picking up trash, clearing walking paths or trimming a bush. You’ll be outfitted with the proper instructions and materials to get your clean-up project rolling.

Help your local library

Libraries are bursting at the seams this time of year with people checking items in and out, or enjoying a great read during the day. This means there’s a lot to do to keep the inventory and shelves organized, as well as the space cleaned. This is usually a job reserved for young teens who can manage sorting and stocking needs. Simply reach out to your local library to ask about an application.

If you’re in a summer lull, put your time to good use and help improve your community. It’s a great way to teach your family members responsibility and lead by example.

This story was originally published July 11, 2017 at 5:55 PM with the headline "Summer lull? Volunteering builds character, brings joy."