community service students

Community Service for Students: Why and How

Many, if not most, colleges look for civic engagement and volunteer service as part of your student’s extracurricular activities. More importantly, colleges don’t see these requirements as simply checking a box on an application. Colleges actively want service-minded students within their communities and value their contributions—in the now—and for the future. And even if your student’s plans don’t include a traditional post-secondary education, our communities are desperate for an active citizenry.

So how can students practice good citizenship and start community service?

Join an organization.

Most schools have specific service-minded student clubs—for example, Key Club—that your student can join. But many other organizations offer opportunities for community service, as well. Whether it’s through your church, the Boy or Girl Scouts of America, your school’s student government, or even a volunteer day with your school’s band or athletic department, look for opportunities to engage in community service in every organization in your child’s life. And if there aren’t any community service opportunities planned, encourage your child to organize volunteer work with the help of their club or organization’s sponsor.

Serve independently.

Your child does not need to be in any official club to serve their community. Help your child identify a need in the community or an opportunity to serve in a way that uniquely fits their skills and talents. Maybe an elderly neighbor needs help moving their trashcans every week or walking their dog. Or perhaps a specific stretch of sidewalk in your neighborhood needs shoveling in the winter. These are important opportunities for your student to serve their community, and it’s okay if their works go unrecognized—remember, that’s not the point.

Your student may also find more official opportunities to serve through a public library, historical society, nursing home, a local soup kitchen, or the like. It may take some time to set up a volunteer schedule, but these opportunities will provide your student with a documented service history in the event they need one for a college application.

Civic engagement is critical toward ensuring our communities flourish. And what better way to promote that engagement than through community service? Community service helps students become more familiar with their communities and learn about what it takes to make a society thrive. Whether your student attends school or is homeschooled, there are plenty of opportunities to serve. And encouraging your student to volunteer and help meet the needs of others from a young age is an important role for parents and educators, alike. The benefits of community service extend far beyond putting it on a college application.

Lastly, don’t forget the importance of modeling community service. Take the time in your busy schedule to volunteer and serve others—and the example you set will last a lifetime.