So I've decided to get off my lazy ass this summer and actually do something in return for the community, which I've been putting off.

I /love/ working with kids, and wanted to volunteer at the kids hospital somehow, but it's a few hours away. :( I'm also planning on a scientific/medical career, and volunteering might show up positively on my college resume. Soooo.....any possible solutions? I don't know if a normal hospital would actually work, but it might be worth a shot.

I could always go to the animal shelter, but I'm kinda scared of /big/ dogs.....but otherwise I love animals! ^_^

So any suggestions by chance?

Hm, I was a volunteer (english teacher abroad) and was sent through an organization. Maybe do a search for such around your parts? I'm pretty sure that the red cross for instance has a lot of work with kids.

I can see how hospitals might not accept you as a volunteer without any previous experience though, but it can't hurt right? :)

I dunno, my sister just got a volunteer job at the local hospital, and she had no previous volunteer experience beyond a few hours here and there.

The hospitals in my city have a summer volunteer program for teenagers, so thats how she got the job. shugs

A couple of my friends volunteered at hospitals in high school, and they didn't have experience of any kind. I think one of them mostly just spent a lot of time with the elderly patients. You could totally volunteer at the hospital.

Hmm, maybe you could try volunteering at a summer camp or summer kids program? I know there are some programs where they take kids on a bunch of day trips; I don't know if you would need experience, but you could volunteer to be one of the chaperones/leaders.

OH also, hit up your library. The one by me has a Reading Buddies program where you can volunteer to read aloud to little kids. :) Maybe just check out the rec center and see what kind of kid's activities are being held, and inquire about volunteering at them.

Volunteer work looks great on college applications.

As for the animal shelter idea, if you're afraid of big dogs, they might be more than willing to assign you to things that won't involve being around them. The shelter I used to volunteer at had a cat room where I spent most of my time. I didn't have to interact with dogs at all unless I wanted to.