Participating in a volunteer program offers high school students a unique opportunity to develop essential life skills, such as leadership, empathy, and problem-solving, while gaining a broader perspective on the world around them. Beyond the opportunity of giving back to the community, volunteering allows you to explore potential career paths in a hands-on environment and build a professional network outside of the classroom. These experiences strengthen college applications by demonstrating commitment and character, and also help foster a sense of civic responsibility. By addressing real-world challenges, you build the resilience necessary to navigate the transition into adulthood.
Why should you choose a winter volunteer program?
Winter programs are often smaller, giving you more one-on-one time with mentors and staff. You’ll find opportunities to take on meaningful responsibilities, try out specialized roles, and explore career pathways in fields like medicine, museum education, nonprofit leadership, and environmental stewardship. This period coincides with a critical time for many non-profits, such as food banks, shelters, and holiday outreach programs, that face increased demand due to colder weather and end-of-year logistics. Furthermore, completing a structured service project during the winter break demonstrates exceptional time management and a proactive commitment to civic duty on college applications. Whether it’s assisting in a hospital, guiding museum visitors, restoring trails, or supporting community projects, you’ll leave with concrete experiences that show your initiative and commitment.
Below, we have listed 15 winter volunteer programs for high school students for you to explore.
If you want to explore other volunteering programs to participate in during the school year, check out our other blogs here and here.
15 Winter Volunteer Programs for High School Students
1. American Red Cross Youth Volunteer Program
Location: Local Red Cross chapters across the U.S. (school-based and community-based roles)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; large cohorts
Dates: Year–round (flexible, student-driven scheduling)
Application Deadline: Rolling; open throughout the year
Eligibility: All high school students (age requirements vary by chapter); parental consent is required for students under 18
This program places you in structured service roles through Red Cross Clubs or local chapter initiatives. You’ll work on community education projects, disaster preparedness outreach, blood drive coordination, and basic humanitarian response activities. The focus is on operational skills like project coordination, team leadership, communication with diverse stakeholders, and basic public health or disaster-response literacy. Depending on your chapter, you may also receive training modules in first aid, CPR, and emergency response frameworks. The program is modular and flexible, so your workload scales based on your availability and school schedule.
2. Habitat for Humanity Youth & Campus Chapters
Location: Local Habitat for Humanity affiliates and school campuses (U.S. and select international chapters)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; cohort size varies by school
Dates: Year–round (flexible, chapter-led scheduling)
Application Deadline: Rolling; depends on local affiliate and school calendar
Eligibility: All high school students; age requirements vary by chapter and local affiliate
As a student-led chapter that works directly with a local Habitat affiliate on housing-related projects, you can participate in construction and rehabilitation projects, community neighborhood revitalization tasks, and Habitat ReStore operations, building practical skills in construction workflows, logistics, and volunteer coordination. Chapters also run fundraising campaigns and advocacy initiatives, which expose you to nonprofit finance, policy outreach, and stakeholder engagement. Educational outreach activities help you develop communication and teaching skills while building literacy around housing policy, urban inequality, and community development. If you help start a chapter, you’ll also work on organizational planning, goal-setting frameworks, and long-term project management.
3. Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center – Teen Volunteer Program
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; not a single fixed cohort, intake is rolling
Dates: Year–round
Application Deadline: Ongoing
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–18 who can complete 100 hours over 1 year, having a valid Social Security Number, and can communicate effectively in English
The program puts you in a hospital support team that is focused on patient assistance and administrative workflows. You’ll work with visitor support systems, patient navigation protocols, and front-desk communication processes, which builds familiarity with clinical operations and institutional procedures. Onboarding includes health screenings, orientation modules, and background checks, introducing you to compliance and safety frameworks in healthcare settings. Multilingual students can apply communication skills in diverse patient-facing contexts. The year-long structure emphasizes consistency, documentation habits, and sustained exposure to healthcare administration and patient-support infrastructure.
4. Cedars-Sinai High School Student Volunteer Program
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost except $30 for official volunteer jacket
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; typically, limited cohort sizes
Dates: Winter/Spring: January 26 – April 5
Application Deadline: Winter: December 4
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18 years, having a minimum 3.2 GPA
The Cedars-Sinai High School Volunteer Program is a structured, competitive service opportunity designed for students between the ages of 14 and 18 interested in exploring healthcare careers. As a volunteer, you’ll handle tasks like record organization, phone-based coordination, document delivery, and front-desk operations across departments. The structure helps you develop accuracy, professionalism, and time management within a high-throughput healthcare environment. While you won’t perform medical procedures, you’ll observe how multidisciplinary teams coordinate logistics, patient flow, and institutional protocols. It’s useful if you want exposure to hospital operations and healthcare systems without clinical training.
5. Jersey City Medical Center High School Volunteer Program
Location: Jersey City, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Ongoing volunteer intake; limited cohort sizes
Dates: Year–round
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+; must have a social security number for criminal background screening, medical clearance, and demonstrate English proficiency
This program is a structured initiative for high school students wanting to gain exposure to the healthcare environment while serving their community. The structure of the volunteer program exposes you to hospital operations, patient flow systems, and communication protocols in clinical environments without direct medical procedures. Responsibilities include providing patient companionship, distributing information, coordinating patient escort services, and performing administrative duties such as filing and phone support. Weekly hour requirements help you develop scheduling discipline, service consistency, and basic healthcare workplace professionalism. Over time, you gain familiarity with institutional compliance processes and patient-experience infrastructure.
6. Sierra Club Youth & Chapter Volunteer Programs
Location: Local Sierra Club chapters across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: None for volunteering; some leadership roles may require a Sierra Club membership
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; cohort size varies by chapter
Dates: Year–round, chapter-specific scheduling for volunteers; Leadership programs: September – May
Application Deadline: Rolling intake for volunteers; Leadership: September 1
Eligibility: All high school students aged 14–18; requirements vary by chapter and role
Participating in local Sierra Club chapters offers a chance to engage in environmental advocacy, conservation, and community projects. Activities range from community cleanups and conservation campaigns to specific service initiatives led by the chapter. This type of involvement will help you build practical skills in areas like grassroots organizing, understanding environmental policy, and volunteer coordination. For those interested in leadership, becoming an outings leader involves designing and managing outdoor excursions (such as backpacking, kayaking, or biking). This role is key to developing expertise in logistics planning, risk management, and leadership frameworks. Additionally, chapter involvement provides exposure to effective environmental communication, public outreach techniques, and the operational workflows of a nonprofit organization.
7. WRV Youth Leadership Development (WYLD) Program
Location: Colorado public lands (chapter-based field sites across the state)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; around 10–15 students
Dates: September – May (monthly Saturday sessions)
Application Deadline: Late Summer
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18 able to attend at least 75% of sessions
This program places you in youth-led ecological restoration projects focused on trail construction, native seed collection, habitat restoration, and land stewardship workflows. You’ll complete Crew Leader certification through the Outdoor Stewardship Institute, which covers group leadership, field safety protocols, and project execution frameworks for environmental restoration. Monthly sessions introduce you to conservation career pathways, natural resource management concepts, and outdoor field methods such as winter travel and restoration planning. Participation builds technical field skills, team coordination experience, and exposure to conservation-sector career resources. The structure emphasizes consistent engagement, field-based learning, and applied environmental leadership training.
8. Lion’s Heart Teen Volunteer Program
Location: Multiple chapters across the U.S. (31 states)
Cost/Stipend: $69 one-time enrollment fee; $110 annual dues
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; 3–20 members per local class
Dates: Year–round
Application Deadline: Rolling; open enrollment throughout the year
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12
This program connects you to structured volunteer opportunities through grade-level groups or individual placements with local nonprofits. You’ll participate in youth-led service projects, leadership roles (e.g., elected officers), and independent volunteering tracked through a digital service portfolio system. The platform logs hours, maps opportunities, and generates verified transcripts, introducing you to basic impact tracking and documentation workflows. Group members practice team coordination, meeting facilitation, and project planning, while individual members manage self-directed service schedules. The structure emphasizes civic engagement, leadership skill development, and longitudinal documentation of service outcomes.
9. Gamers Outreach Foundation Volunteers
Location: Partner hospitals and event sites across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; limited spots for hospital-based roles
Dates: Year–round
Application Deadline: Rolling; open throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–17
This program places you in technology-enabled hospital volunteering roles focused on patient engagement and gaming infrastructure. GO Kart Race Crew roles focus on hardware assembly, system updates, and equipment maintenance workflows during scheduled hospital visits. Event-based opportunities involve logistics, fundraising operations, and tech-enabled outreach, exposing you to nonprofit event management systems. Hospital roles require training and compliance with healthcare safety standards, giving you experience with institutional protocols and tech-supported patient-experience design. By the end, you develop practical troubleshooting abilities and gain confidence in public speaking and community outreach.
10. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum: Volunteer
Location: Washington, DC (National Air and Space Museum) and Chantilly, VA (Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; station-specific onboarding and approval required
Dates: Year–round; minimum one-year commitment with monthly shifts
Application Deadline: Rolling; open throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+; must complete museum training and station-specific coursework
In this role, you step behind the scenes of a museum and bring space science, aeronautics, and astrophysics to life for visitors. You’ll guide people through hands-on stations, spark curiosity with digital interactives, and connect exhibits to real-world concepts. Before taking the lead, you’ll complete station-specific lessons, shadow experienced volunteers, and receive feedback during supervised practice shifts. Along the way, you’ll sharpen skills in science communication, informal teaching, and audience engagement, while learning how museums handle and care for collections. Regular shifts let you build confidence and consistency, giving you a genuine feel for running a public-facing STEM program.
11. Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum – Teen Team
Location: Nashville, TN (Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size is determined by museum needs
Dates: School year and summer programming; monthly assignments
Application Deadline: Rolling; seasonal onboarding windows
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–17
In this program, you step into the world of museum education and help bring music, songwriting, and cultural history to life. You’ll work alongside educators leading workshops, hands-on art projects, and interactive music sessions, guiding visitors and encouraging participation. Along the way, you’ll pick up practical skills in audience engagement, informal teaching, and running public programs. Training covers everything from museum policies and safety to customer service and event procedures, so you’re fully prepared. As you progress through the program, you’ll take on more responsibilities like helping with event logistics, program planning, and outreach, while monthly assignments give you steady practice in communication and facilitating experiences for visitors.
12. Assistance League (Assisteens Program)
Location: Local Assistance League chapters across the U.S. (95+ chapters)
Cost/Stipend: Free (chapter-specific dues or fundraising requirements may apply)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; chapter-based; typically 40–100 students per local auxiliary
Dates: Year–round; chapter-specific scheduling
Application Deadline: Rolling; some chapters accept applications between March–May
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–12; requirements vary by local Assisteens Auxiliary
As a member of this youth auxiliary, you’ll dive into community service projects that actually matter. From mentoring peers to assembling hygiene kits, organizing backpack drives, or supporting local shelters, you’ll get hands-on experience running initiatives from start to finish. Each chapter picks its own programs, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at planning, fundraising, and volunteer coordination. If you take on a leadership role, you’ll sharpen skills in team management, public speaking, and event organization. Throughout the year, you’ll see firsthand how local nonprofits operate and how they respond to real community needs.
13. League of Women Voters of Houston Youth Engagement Volunteers
Location: Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; cohort size not capped
Dates: Year–round
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students living in Houston
In this program, you’ll explore civic engagement, helping communities understand voting and participate in local democracy. Your tasks range from supporting voter registration drives and library sessions to setting up education booths and guiding people through voter materials. Along the way, you’ll handle outreach coordination, assist with public communications, and track program data. This experience sharpens skills in event logistics, stakeholder communication, and civic literacy, while giving you a hands-on look at how grassroots organizations plan, execute, and evaluate community-focused initiatives.
14. San Francisco Center for the Book Youth Volunteer Program
Location: San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; cohort size is based on the needs of the specific community event
Dates: Year–round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 14+
This opportunity places you in studio workflows supporting printmaking and book arts workshops. You’ll assist with materials management, equipment setup, and demonstration support, which builds skills in precision, craftsmanship, and operational maintenance of printmaking and bookbinding tools. Regular interaction with instructors and visiting artists introduces you to teaching methods, program facilitation, and community arts operations. The structure emphasizes hands-on technical practice, creative problem-solving, and exposure to the logistical aspects of running an arts-focused nonprofit program.
15. Asian Art Museum Frontline Volunteer Program
Location: San Francisco, CA (Asian Art Museum, Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not disclosed
Dates: Year–round; minimum one-year commitment
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students aged 16+; must complete mandatory onboarding and commit to 96 hours annually
As a frontline volunteer, you become the first point of contact for museum visitors, guiding them through galleries, exhibitions, and programs while managing tasks like coat check, information desks, or the Museum Boutique. You’ll learn how to interpret visitor needs, adjust your communication to different audiences, and manage daily museum workflows efficiently. Beyond visitor interaction, you gain exposure to cultural programming logistics, collections handling procedures, and behind-the-scenes operations. This role combines people skills with operational insight, giving you a clear view of how a major museum coordinates events, exhibitions, and community engagement.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
While many people associate volunteering with on-ground work, research is another powerful way to contribute. If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Cedars-Sinai High School