Service Learning Opportunities
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.
Ballard Seafood Fest 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
SPS Student Board Members April 28
The Seattle Public Schools Board has opened applications for 2025-26 Student Board Members. To select the students who will serve on the Board, we are recruiting for the Student Selection Committee. This group of students will evaluate applications, interview the applicants, and recommend the three finalists to the Board for approval.
The only requirements to serve on the Selection Committee are that the student is in grades 9-12 and is not applying to be a Student Board Member. The Selection Committee will complete its work in May. Students should expect to meet weekly and spend approximately fifteen hours outside of meetings reviewing applications and watching interview recordings. This counts towards community service hours and is a great addition to a college application. Complete your application by April 28. The first meeting will be on May 2, 2025. Learn more on the district website.
Seattle Public School Volunteer Enhancement Project May 17
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)
Register in advance online and email Colleen at VEP@seattleschools.org with any questions at all.
Sheep Shearing Special Event Volunteers Needed April 27
Assist staff with event set up, running children’s activity booths and other event tasks at this annual Sheep Shearing event. This is one of Bellevue’s must unique events running for over 40 years.
No registration needed. On site parking is limited to vendors/volunteers and disabled parking only. There is parking available at International School 445 128th Ave. SE Bellevue, WA 98005. For more information contact 425-452-7688 or KelseyCreekFarm@bellevuewa.gov.
PNA Volunteer Positions
New opportunities to volunteer with the Phinney Neighborhood Association (PNA)!
- Phinney Center Yard Work Party
- April 19, 2025 from 9 a.m. to noon
- Phinney Center: 6532 Phinney Ave N, 98103
- Learn more & sign up
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!