15 Volunteer Opportunities for Middle School StudentsÂ
- Stephen Turban
- 1 day ago
- 11 min read
Volunteering is a meaningful way for you, as a middle school student, to gain real-world experience, build confidence, and develop empathy and responsibility early on. It gives you the chance to explore different interests, whether that’s helping younger children, caring for the environment, or contributing to community events. These experiences not only help you grow personally but also strengthen your extracurricular profile by showing initiative, leadership, and a willingness to engage beyond the classroom. If you plan to apply to competitive high schools or enrichment programs in the future, volunteer work can help you stand out.
If you're in middle school and looking to get involved, it’s important to choose a volunteer opportunity that fits your interests and availability. While many programs cater to high schoolers, there are a growing number of excellent options open to younger students. To help you get started, we’ve rounded up some great volunteer opportunities for middle school students, ranging from museum programs to youth-led tutoring initiatives and virtual roles that can be done from home.
Location:Â Online, via Smithsonian Digital Volunteer platforms
Cost:Â Free
Dates:Â Year-round; ongoing tasks available
Application Deadline:Â Rolling; sign up anytime
Eligibility:Â Open to all ages; middle school students can participate independently or with adult supervision
The Smithsonian Institution invites digital volunteers to contribute remotely to projects that help make its collections more accessible. Through platforms like the Smithsonian Transcription Center, you can help transcribe historic documents, identify mystery garden images, or contribute to projects such as the Encyclopedia of Life. These tasks are open to anyone and are especially suitable for middle schoolers who enjoy history, science, or puzzles. With no minimum time commitment, you can participate in bite-sized projects from anywhere in the world. It’s a great way to explore museum archives and scientific collections while building real-world research and digital literacy skills.
Location:Â School-based chapters in the U.S. and select international schools
Cost:Â Free
Dates:Â Academic year (varies by school calendar)
Application Deadline: Rolling; join through your school’s Best Buddies chapter or start one
Eligibility: Middle school students (Grades 6–8); school must have a Best Buddies chapter or interest in forming one
Best Buddies International offers a school-based program that fosters one-to-one friendships between students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Through structured chapter activities, group outings, and regular peer engagement, middle schoolers can make a direct impact by promoting social inclusion and kindness. You will be paired with a buddy and meet regularly for planned events or informal social time, creating lasting bonds that extend beyond the classroom. The program also encourages leadership through buddy pair coordination, ambassador roles, and club event planning. Participation helps students develop empathy, communication skills, and a deeper understanding of diversity. Best Buddies chapters are present in schools across the U.S. and around the world, with training and support available to start a new one if your school doesn’t have one yet.
Location:Â Cooper City Parks and Recreation Department, Cooper City, FL
Cost:Â Free
Dates: Teen Council – Year-round with regular meetings and events | SAV Program – Summer, Winter Break, and Spring Break sessions
Application Deadline: Teen Council – August 29 for 2025–2026 council | SAV Program – Rolling; due before each session
Eligibility: Middle and high school students; Teen Council for grades 6–11; SAV program requires completion of 8th grade
Cooper City’s Parks and Recreation Department offers structured volunteer programs that allow you to gain leadership experience while serving the local community. The Teen Council engages grades 6–11 in planning and participating in civic events, developing core skills like accountability, communication, and teamwork while accruing service hours. Through roles in after-school programs, seasonal camps, and city events, you will learn to manage time effectively and take on real responsibilities in a supportive environment. The Student Assistant Volunteer (SAV) Program also allows teens to work alongside recreation staff during summer and school breaks. Both programs are designed to foster early civic engagement and provide documented service experience for future applications and resumes.
Location: Online, via zooniverse.org
Cost:Â Free
Dates:Â Year-round; project timelines vary
Application Deadline:Â Rolling; open participation
Eligibility:Â Open to all ages; suitable for middle school students with basic computer access
Zooniverse is a platform for people-powered research, allowing volunteers of all ages to contribute to real-world scientific discoveries. Through its wide range of online projects, middle school students can help classify galaxies, transcribe handwritten field notes, identify wildlife, or assist in language and climate research. The platform is designed for beginners, with no special skills or science background needed. Tasks are short and interactive, making them suitable for younger volunteers with varying attention spans. You will not only assist researchers across disciplines but also gain firsthand insight into how scientific and historical data are collected, cleaned, and interpreted. New projects are added regularly, and you can join discussions with researchers and other volunteers on the platform.
Location:Â Online, via the Be My Eyes app (iOS, Android, Windows)
Cost:Â Free
Dates:Â Year-round; join and volunteer at your convenience
Application Deadline:Â Rolling; sign up anytime
Eligibility:Â Open to all ages; suitable for middle school students with parental guidance and smartphone access
Be My Eyes is an innovative digital platform that connects volunteers with visually impaired people, offering real-time visual support through a smartphone app. As a volunteer, you’ll receive requests to describe what someone’s camera sees, whether it’s reading a label, identifying colors, or navigating a new space. These brief, meaningful interactions allow you to make a real difference from home, simply by being a friendly voice and pair of eyes. The platform is fully anonymous and secure, and calls are routed based on time zone and language. Participation is flexible, with no minimum commitment, and volunteers can jump in whenever they’re available.
Location:Â Online
Cost:Â Free
Dates:Â Year-round; flexible scheduling
Application Deadline:Â Rolling; sign up anytime after an information call
Eligibility:Â Open to middle and high school students; adult guidance recommended for younger students
Luv Michael offers a fully online volunteer program that empowers students to advocate for autism acceptance while earning meaningful service hours. Volunteers support adults on the autism spectrum by helping with community outreach, contacting local representatives for inclusive policy changes, and building national resource databases. The program emphasizes leadership, advocacy, and compassion, offering you a chance to grow as a changemaker while learning how to contribute to a real-world cause. You will earn 40 verified service hours and may also receive a personalized recommendation letter and a graduation cord. You’ll complete training through a kickoff info call, after which you can contribute on your own schedule.
Location:Â Local Red Cross chapters across the United States
Cost:Â Free
Dates:Â Year-round; varies by chapter
Application Deadline:Â Rolling; based on local chapter needs
Eligibility:Â Middle school students (typically ages 13+); eligibility may vary slightly by location and role
The American Red Cross offers students the chance to become active volunteers in their local communities through a range of age-appropriate opportunities. You can participate in service events, awareness campaigns, fundraising initiatives, and disaster preparedness education under adult supervision. Some local Red Cross chapters also welcome younger volunteers into training programs or allow them to assist with administrative or support tasks during community events. You will develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills while learning to serve people from diverse backgrounds. The Red Cross also provides training and support to ensure a meaningful and safe volunteer experience. With hundreds of local chapters nationwide, you can get started by signing up online and connecting with a team in your locality.
Location:Â Online and in-person opportunities across the United States
Cost:Â Free
Dates:Â Year-round; varies by activity and region
Application Deadline:Â Rolling; attend an optional info session or contact your local site
Eligibility:Â Open to students aged 11+; tutoring roles for 14+, advocacy and support roles available for younger students
Reading Partners is a nationwide nonprofit that helps children build foundational literacy skills through one-on-one tutoring and community support. While students aged 14 and older can become volunteer tutors, younger middle schoolers can also contribute by running book drives, fundraising, or spreading awareness about early childhood literacy. These opportunities allow you to take initiative, develop leadership, and understand the impact of equitable education access. All volunteers receive resources and guidance from Reading Partners, making it a structured and supported way to give back. Participation also helps build early civic awareness and responsibility in a cause that affects children nationwide.
Location:Â Miami, FL (in-person); opportunities may vary by event
Cost:Â Free
Dates:Â Year-round; varies by activity
Application Deadline:Â Rolling; leadership roles may require an interview
Eligibility: Open to students aged 10–18; suitable for middle school students of all grade levels
Joshua’s Heart Foundation empowers young people to take action against hunger through hands-on, community-based service. Volunteers help sort and distribute groceries, assist at food drives, and support local families in need. Students ages 10–18 can also join the Junior Advisory Board (JAB), a youth leadership group that helps plan events and guide newer volunteers. Whether you're volunteering once or taking on a leadership role, the program offers a clear path to make a visible difference. Hours are logged for service credit, and all roles include support from adult coordinators.Â
Location:Â Online, Remote
Cost:Â Free
Dates:Â Flexible; volunteer anytime
Application Deadline:Â None; ongoing participation
Eligibility:Â Open to middle school students (age 13+) with internet access; under 13s may participate with adult supervision or in teacher-led settings
Missing Maps is an open-source humanitarian mapping initiative that lets you help from anywhere. As a youth volunteer, you can contribute to real-world disaster preparedness and relief by mapping roads, buildings, and infrastructure in vulnerable areas using satellite imagery. The platform offers guided tutorials, and even beginners can start contributing in just one afternoon. Students can join global mapathons or host their own to build digital skills and collaborate with peers. You’ll gain exposure to geographic information systems (GIS), humanitarian work, and the power of crowdsourced data in crisis response. It’s a unique way to make a global impact through technology and community collaboration with no passport or prior experience required.
Location:Â Online, Remote
Cost:Â Free
Dates:Â Year-round; varies by project
Application Deadline:Â Rolling
Eligibility:Â Open to students age 13+; younger students may participate with parental guidance
Meaningful Teens runs a series of Zoom-based volunteer programs focused on literacy, cultural exchange, and tutoring support. You can assist younger children in learning to read, engage in English conversation sessions with peers in countries like Ukraine and Mexico, or join moderated discussions on topics relevant to teens. Each project typically requires a commitment of 45 to 60 minutes per week, and certified volunteer hours are provided. All sessions are structured and supported with teaching materials, making it accessible even for first-time volunteers. Participation takes place online, which allows you to get involved from anywhere. Several projects are open to middle schoolers, while others may require parental support or involvement.
Location:Â Varies by region; opportunities exist nationwide and globally
Cost:Â Free
Dates:Â Year-round; event schedules vary by location
Application Deadline:Â Rolling
Eligibility:Â All ages welcome; many programs accept middle school students with guardian consent or school affiliation
Special Olympics offers a range of inclusive volunteer roles where you can support athletes with intellectual disabilities through sports, teamwork, and community events. As a middle schooler, you can get involved through school-based programs like Unified Champion Schools, where you’ll play on the same team as Special Olympics athletes or assist in planning inclusive activities. Volunteers can help with event set-up, cheer on athletes, or take part in organizing local competitions. This is a hands-on opportunity to build empathy, leadership, and a deeper understanding of inclusive communities. Volunteering may be a one-time event or an ongoing role, depending on the local chapter’s needs. Training is often provided, and students can volunteer individually or as part of a school group.
Location:Â Various international destinations (e.g., Costa Rica, Ecuador)
Cost:Â Varies by program; scholarships available through WCC Cares
Dates: Summer; typically 2–3 week sessions
Application Deadline:Â Rolling; early enrollment recommended
Eligibility: Open to students aged 13–18; suitable for middle schoolers with parental consent
Westcoast Connection runs immersive community service programs that combine travel with hands-on volunteering, designed to cultivate leadership, cultural awareness, and a lifelong service ethic. You’ll work alongside nonprofit partners on local initiatives, from supporting children’s education to environmental conservation, while building teamwork and problem-solving skills in real-world settings. Programs are structured to balance meaningful service with cultural exploration, creating a deep understanding of global citizenship. Service hours are recognized for the President’s Volunteer Service Award, and you will receive documentation of your contributions. The program’s group-based format also fosters strong friendships and collaboration with peers sharing the same purpose-driven experience.
Location: Children’s Discovery Museum, Normal, IL
Cost:Â Free to participate
Dates:Â Ongoing, year-round (with a summer-specific volunteer program also available)
Application Deadline:Â Rolling; orientation required before starting
Eligibility:Â Students aged 13 and up; 15+ for camp roles; background check required for those 18+
Middle school students can volunteer at the Children’s Discovery Museum to help facilitate hands-on exhibits, prepare materials, and assist with special events. Volunteers may interact with visitors, support behind-the-scenes setup for programs, or help with sanitation and tidiness across exhibit areas. Camp counselor roles are available for students aged 15 and older. All volunteers must attend an orientation session and commit to at least 6 hours of service per month. This is a great opportunity for students interested in education, early childhood development, or museum work. Volunteers get a behind-the-scenes view of how exhibits and events come together, while gaining communication and teamwork experience.
Location: Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO
Cost:Â Free to participate
Dates:Â Year-round and summer sessions available
Application Deadline:Â Rolling; subject to availability
Eligibility: Teens ages 13–18; must commit to ~3 hours/week; health screening required
The Junior Volunteer Program at Children’s Hospital Colorado allows you to assist in various hospital departments, contribute to fundraising events, and interact with young patients and their families. Volunteers support both clinical and non-clinical teams, helping to create a more positive hospital experience while gaining exposure to careers in healthcare, IT, HR, and event planning. Activities may include crafting with patients, helping run events like Cake-A-Palooza, or organizing creative play sessions. Teens also have the chance to join the Junior Volunteer Advisory Committee, which provides leadership roles and opportunities to coordinate patient-centered events. Participants are eligible for scholarships, including one for those pursuing a health-related degree. Volunteering requires an application, interview, and health screening.
Bonus Programs!
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program, financial aid available
Program dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year, you can apply using this application link! If you'd like to take a look at the cohorts + deadlines, you can refer to this page!
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about. Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE. The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need-based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure!Â
Application deadline:Â Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility:Â Students in grades 6-8
Program dates:Â 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring cohort and 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort.
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual program that teaches middle school students the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over 25 hours, you will learn the basics of Python as well as topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. Students learn through lectures and group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. Previous projects done by students have included building a machine-learning model to classify music genres and creating a machine-learning algorithm to provide a custom list of educational resources based on selected specifications.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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