Our Recommended Volunteer Plan
Freshman year
Minimum 50 hours.
school year
A minimum of 5 hours each month at a single organization. Use this year to isolate which organizations you enjoy. Try to find at least 2 within different categories. Categories include animal based, environmental based, children based, medicine based, art based, and working with disadvantaged groups.
Minimum 50 hours.
Minimum 20 hours.
Summer
At least one week at a "summer camp" style volunteer program.
Minimum 20 hours.
Sophomore Year
Minimum 50 hours.
School Year
5-10 hours a month at 1-2 organizations each month. Ensure you spend at least 15 hours with each organization before the school year ends.
Minimum 50 hours.
Minimum 30 hours.
Summer
At least one week at a "summer camp" style volunteer program. At least 5 hours a month during the remaining summer months. This summer is the best time to stack up volunteer hours. Earn as many as possible.
Minimum 30 hours.
Junior Year
Minimum 100 hours.
School Year
At least 5 hours each at 2 different organizations each month. Stick with the same two organizations/programs all year. You can volunteer with more, but it does NOT count towards the required 10 hours a month.
Minimum 100 hours.
Minimum 50 hours.
Summer
At least 50 hours between 2 different organizations.
Minimum 50 hours.
Senior Year
Minimum 50 hours.
School Year
At least 5 hours a month at one organization. If the student is not also working, at least 5 hours a month at a minimum of 2 different organizations (minimum 10 hours a month).
Minimum 50 hours.
Total Hours
If your student follows this program, you will be applying to college with 300 hours by the start of senior year. Volunteer hours are one of the best ways to stick out on college applications. Additionally, this plan shows dedication to certain organizations and consistency across your time. This will benefit your application greatly. This plan also more than qualifies you for the Bright Futures scholarship and the 300 volunteer hour cords in Manatee County.
Working With Animals
Nate's Place
Age Requirement: 14+ with a parent / 16+ unsupervised
Humane Society of Manatee County
Age Requirement: 14+ / 16+ to walk dogs
Cat Depot
Age Requirement: 12+
Smart Riders
Age Requirement: 14+
Working in the Environment
Manatee County Agricultural Museum
Age Requirement:
DeSoto National Youth Advisory Council
Age Requirement: 14+
Selby Gardens
Age Requirement: 14+
Green Living Toolkit
Age Requirement: 16+
Working With Children
Dive Into Reading
Age Requirement: 16+
Various VBS Programs
Age Requirement: Check with each individual church, many are 14+
All Children's Hospital
Age Requirement: 16+
Circus Art Conservatory:
Age Requirement: 14+
Miracle League
Age Requirement:
Special Olympics
Age Requirement: 15+ / 16+ to coach
Tiny Hands
Age Requirement: 16+
Teen Court
Age Requirement: 7th grade+
Working in Health Care
Manatee Memorial Health
Age Requirement:
All Children's Hospital
Age Requirement: 16+
Pines Sarasota
Age Requirement: 15+
Working in the Arts
Manatee Performing Arts Center
Age Requirement:
Art Sarasota
Age Requirement: 15+
Circus Arts Conservatory
Age Requirement: