Service Learning Opportunities

Service Learning Requirements Service learning is giving time, without pay. One of the graduation requirements for Seattle Public Schools is 60 hours of Service Learning for all students. Ballard HS also offers an Above and Beyond Award at graduation for students who complete 240 hours or more.

Service learning allows students to learn and to apply academic, social and personal skills through activities and is important in helping build a resume for college, learn leadership, apply for jobs or other opportunities including scholarships. Students make a difference and address authentic community needs. As part of service learning, students are asked to reflect and report on their experiences.

New Opportunities!

Not necessarily in date order.

Leif Erikson Lodge Open House May 17

Open House at Leif Erikson Lodge on Saturday, May 17 from 11:00 – 3:00 p,m. 2245 NW 56th Street, Seattle, WA 98107. We need a few more volunteers from 11:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Tasks include bussing tables, replenishing food, supplies, possibly washing dishes. It would be great if students could stay after we close at 3:00 p.m.to help clean up, empty trash, etc.

Point of contact is myself, Gail Engler, at 206-735-0800. Please call as soon as possible.

Seattle Universal Math Museum (SUMM)

SUMM is a registered 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to providing informal math education to communities of opportunity around the Greater Seattle Area. We are currently looking for high school-age volunteers to join us at farmers’ markets and community centers this summer. Learn more about volunteering and apply on the SUMM website.

Girls On the Run Puget Sounds 5K Volunteers Needed May 18

We are looking for more volunteers to help us make this year’s Regional 5K Celebration fun, joyful, and high-energy! This a great opportunity for needing to fulfill volunteer hours and looking for a fun way to get involved with their community. We have many different roles still available, and we would be delighted to share this opportunity with your students and greater community!

The Girls on the Run Puget Sound 5K will take place on Sunday, May 18 at Renton Memorial Stadium. Students/community members are welcome to review all the volunteers roles and register for the GOTR Puget Sound 5K on our website.

Summit STEM Fellowship Taking Applications May 25

The Summit STEM Fellowship is a virtual summer program bringing together top rising 9th-12th grade students around the world. As a Summit STEM Fellow, students learn from top mentors at Harvard, Stanford, and MIT and explore diverse opportunities and career pathways in STEM. The fellowship is 10-15 hours per week, and events take place in the evenings and weekends to accommodate students’ summer schedules.

To learn more and apply by May 25, please visit the Fellowship website. Please Note: Admissions are rolling, meaning applications are reviewed in the order they are received. There are a limited number of spots, and students are encouraged to apply as soon as they are able. For any questions, please email info@summitstemfellowship.org or reach out to Sabina Kim at sabrinak@alumni.princeton.edu

Ballard SeafoodFest July 11-13

We are recruiting volunteers for the 2025 Ballard SeafoodFest occurring July 11 – 13. There are many positions available for high schoolers for volunteer hours for anyone who helps out at the festival! We specifically need volunteers for the Kids Area, the Bouncy House Area, the Info Booth, and the Salmon BBQ.

See all available SeafoodFest Volunteer Positions on our: Seafood Fest website

Hazel Wolf K-8 Camp Invention

Camp Invention has a fantastic volunteer leadership opportunity for high school students in grades 10–12. Camp Invention is a high-energy, hands-on STEM camp that empowers elementary students to explore creativity, collaboration, and innovation—and our Leadership Interns play a key role in bringing that experience to life. This is a great chance to inspire the next generation of inventors! July 21–25, 2025 from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Hazel Wolf K-8. Earn up to 40 community service hours + receive a letter of recognition from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Email Director: Manuel Monterrubio at mamonterrubi@seattleschools.org

Seattle Public School Volunteer Enhancement Project May 17

Banner with hands and heart. paint roller brush, watering can, hammer

The Volunteer Enhancement Projects Program is part of the Facilities Department. The Volunteer Enhancement Projects Program is responsible for coordinating the review, approval, tracking and oversight of all Volunteer Enhancement Projects. We also partner with the School Learning Garden Network.

Earn Your Service Learning Hours Options

May 17 from 10 – 1 p.m.: Nathan Hale High School (10750 30th Ave. NE Seattle)

PNA Volunteer Positions

New opportunities to volunteer with the Phinney Neighborhood Association (PNA)! Refer to the Phinney Neighborhood Association (PNA) website to find classes and events to support and earn Service Learning hours! Lots of events to choose from too!

Northwest Folklife Festival May 23 – 27

Northwest Folklife Festival, taking place from May 23 to May 27, 2025! This renowned event celebrates arts, culture, and community, and we would love for you to be part of it!

As a volunteer, you will have the chance to:

Assist with event setup and coordination, Help ensure the smooth flow of performances and activities, Engage with festival goers and support our diverse team of performers and artists, Gain hands-on experience in event management and community engagement.

Details:

Dates: May 23-27, 2025
Location: Seattle Center, Seattle, WA
Shifts: Flexible shifts available throughout the festival

Volunteering at the Northwest Folklife Festival is not only a great way to contribute to an important community event, but also a fantastic opportunity to meet people, develop skills, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t miss out on being part of this vibrant cultural celebration!

North Helpline

North Helpline, a food bank and homelessness prevention org in Lake City and we are in the process of reconnecting with community partners for volunteer recruiting! We are looking for student volunteers. Visit our North Helpline website for more details.

Ballard Community Center Volunteers Needed

Join Us! Get Service Hours. We need help with special events, arts and crafts, and set up and tear downs.

Visit our Ballard Community Center website or call us at 206-684-4083 or email: Hanan.Gumale@seattle.gov

Green Seattle Partnership Many Opportunities

The Green Seattle Partnership (GSP) is a collaborative initiative to restore and enhance Seattle’s forested parklands. The ecological restoration connection and access to nature, strengthens community cohesion, improves the health of the Puget Sound, and increases climate change resiliency. Visit our Green Seattle Partnership to learn more and find your opportunity!

Learn about habitat restoration, best management practices for managing invasive species, proper planting technique, community action, and more!
Get hands-on experience with guidance from forest stewards or GSP staff. After attending just a few events you’ll be a seasoned veteran! Service learning credits always available.
Make a difference by helping our forested parklands thrive. The work our volunteers do contributes to the health of Seattle’s green spaces, and ensures that we’ll have access to thriving natural areas well into the future.

Math & Puzzle Club at RESMS Looking For Volunteers

The Math & Puzzle Club at Robert Eagle Staff Middle School is looking for high schoolers interested in serving as assistant coaches. Responsibilities may include leading math games and hands-on activities, tutoring in small groups, photocopying materials for club meetings, and managing snacks. Students interested in a career in teaching can start to build the skills of writing and presenting solutions to complicated math problems. No advanced math or competition math experience is required. Interested students can email Ms Rubio at sjrubio@seattleschools.org and Coach Nick at mathclub@eaglestaffptsa.org.

Outdoors for All Foundation

Outdoors for All Foundation, is a non-profit based in Bellevue. We provide outdoor recreation for people with disabilities. In the winter, we offer alpine, Nordic, and snowshoe programs for people with disabilities at The Summit at Snoqualmie and Stevens Pass. Over 450 volunteers support our winter snow sport programs, a sizeable percentage being high school students! This is a great way for people to gain valuable experience while receiving volunteer hours, building community, and giving back. We’d love to have students involved in our programs. Learn more & Register: Winter Volunteers 2025 – Outdoors for All Foundation

Eat Happy Now Volunteer Opportunities

Eat Happy is a new King County-based organization that aims to decrease hunger in our community by bridging the gap between local grocery stores and restaurants and people who are experiencing food insecurity. We collaborate with local establishments, pick up their excess food free of charge, and deliver directly to shelters, food banks, and community centers. Volunteers who are willing to use their vehicle to pick up and deliver food on a job-by-job basis. Each week, bi-weekly or monthly select any single task (approximately 60-120 minutes each) that works for your schedule.

Our streamlined app makes it easy to know where to go, when to pick up, and who to deliver to. Not only will volunteers make a direct impact on people experiencing food insecurity, but they will help keep food waste out of landfills, and learn valuable skills like coordination and communication with working in their community. Questions: Refer to the Eat Happy Now website or email volunteers@eathappynow.org

Ballard HS Library Service Learning Opportunities

Students have earned Community Service Learning hours for:

Shelving books, processing books, week books, fixing shelves, help clean the library, make book displays
Computer maintenance
Reading to 2nd grade students for Reading Buddies
Creating online tutorials
Making scrolling PowerPoint
MakerSpace crafts, projects for lunchtime, organizing MakerSpace
Create book posters on Adobe spark
Create Rubik’s Cube murals
Read first chapters aloud for Youtube channel and Schoology theme Picture Books
Become a Library Leader
Create Book Collections with Ms. Chambers

Reach out to Ms Chambers at tschambers@seattleschools.org for specific details. Visit the BHS Service Learning page for school information and forms.

Fun With PALS

PALS Programs creates inclusive camp experiences for individuals with and without Down syndrome. Our volunteer- led programs change attitudes, transform lives, and inspire a world of belonging. Apply to participate today by visiting our PALS Program website or email support@palsprograms.org for more information. PALS Programs feature a 1:1 pairing model that partners individuals with Down syndrome with a peer (ages 15+) who does not have Down syndrome to experience a fun-filled, transformative week together. PALS is looking for volunteers now to help run its summer program. PALS could be a fun and meaningful way for students to earn up to 100 service hours.

Ballard Food Bank Needs Volunteers

The Ballard Food Bank needs volunteers for various duties at the bank itself and for helping out with deliveries. Volunteers are the heart of Ballard Food Bank Every month more than 135 volunteers donate hours of service. They sort food, stock shelves, and help clients shop.

The first step to becoming a Ballard Food Bank volunteer is to complete our volunteer application. At the same time, familiarize yourself with our volunteer operating policies which explain qualifications, safety and behavioral standards. You will be notified once your volunteer application has been approved. You will receive an email inviting you to volunteer orientation! Visit our Ballard Food Bank volunteer page for more information and resources.   

United Indians of All Tribes

Website: United Indians of All Tribes website. We welcome all volunteers, even if this is their first time participating in the Native community! Becoming a volunteer is as simple as filling out our application and signing up for an opportunity. Some of our most anticipated opportunities are our annual events:

Seafair Indian Days Powwow, Indigenous People’s Day, Native Life in the City Gala, Native Art Market

The best way to stay up to date on these opportunities, as well as other important news, is by signing up for our volunteer email list!

Other places to find Service Learning Opportunities

Camp Fire– Teen Leadership Program
City of Seattle – Volunteering and Participating
EarthCorps
Eventbrite – Volunteer events
Phinney Neighborhood Association
Seattle Tilth – Garden Volunteer Opportunities
Seattle Aquarium – School Year & Summer
The Service Board
Student Conservation Association
Teens in Public Service
United Way of King County
The Vera Project
Seattle Parks & Recreation – Service Learning and Community Service for Teens
Volunteer Match Seattle (need to create an account)

Reminders

Students should only participate in an opportunity they feel is safe to them. BHS only shares these postings and does not endorse any of these businesses.

Can’t Find What You Are Looking For?

Email me with tips on information you would like located here or better ways to support your searches on the Ballard HS website. Diane Taylor, BHS Website Editor at dmtaylor@seattleschools.org Thank you!