Cutting back on recreation time to help clean up a beach tells kids that there are important things other than ourselves and our immediate needs. Working in community service will bring youngsters in touch with people of different backgrounds, abilities, ethnicities, ages, and education and income levels. They will find that even the most diverse individuals can be united by common values. Just as volunteering can help an adult returning to work or looking to make a career change, community service can help young people decide on their future careers. Hospitals and clinics often have teenage volunteer programs.
Kids can work on the real campaigns of local political candidates.
Learning to work as a team member, taking on leadership, setting project goals - these are all skills that will serve a child well in any future career. They can all be gained by volunteering. Filling idle time wisely. Rob is often asked to speak to younger children about staying away from drugs and crime. He tells them to get involved and volunteer.