When to Volunteer?

Timing is everything when it comes to volunteering. Check out this time-saving article to help you figure out what is the best time for you to volunteer, when to start looking, and how much time you can give!

For high school students: finding the right volunteer role can take time so don’t wait until your final year of high school to start looking.
Thinking of getting a paid job in grade 11 or 12? Try to get your hours completed in grades 9 and 10 so you aren't juggling volunteer and paid job commitments. In fact, getting volunteer experience early can only help you get a job later in high school!
Age matters: in some cases, organizations may only accept teens if they are over the age of 16 or even 18. Some may require parental permission if you are under a specific age.
Think about your schedule and when you are available to volunteer. Are you available in the evenings and on weekends only or do you have any half-days on a regular basis for volunteer work?
Many nonprofits and charities only offer volunteer opportunities during regular business hours (Mon - Fri, 9 to 5) so you may wish to look for those opportunities that are available evenings and weekends.
Volunteer opportunities can be one-day, short-term (3 months or less) or long-term (3 months+). Again, consider what kind of commitment you can make so that you can find the right opportunity.
Depending on the work involved, virtual opportunities may offer more flexibility in terms of time and scheduling.
Need lots of hours? April to October is the “outdoor event/festival/charity race season”. These one-off events generally take place over the weekends and require lots of volunteers. If you need hours and enjoy working in a fun, busy environment, look for event opportunities.