At Home Teen Service Hour Program
Fall Session: September 3 - December 2, 2024
Teens in grades 6th-12th can now earn service hours from home! Opportunities are designed to be flexible so you can volunteer when it works for you. Teen service hour projects will be available during select times in the spring and fall.
HOW IT WORKS
Pick a project from the list below.
Follow the instructions for each project.
Email any necessary documentation to lhutting@dewittlibrary.org to get credit for your work.
We will send you a final count verifying your service hours at the end of the school semester.
The last day to submit hours is Monday, December 2.
Email Lori Hutting at lhutting@dewittlibrary.org with any questions.
PROJECTS AND REQUIREMENTS
Book Recommendation List
Compile a list of 10-15 books based on a theme of your choice and email the list to Lori.
- Books must be available in the DeWitt District Library's collection and written for a teen audience. Search the library's collection here.
- Make sure to title your list and include one sentence that summarizes your list's theme.
- You will earn two service hours for every book list you complete.
Book Review
Write a book review (200 word minimum) and email the final copy to Lori. Reviews will be shared on our Teen blog. Reviews must include:
- Title and Author
- Short Summary
- Your Review (Suggestions: Discuss themes, what you enjoyed, favorite quote and why, type of readers who would enjoy the book, etc.)
- Note: Books must be available in the DeWitt District Library's collection and written for a teen audience.
- You will earn two service hours for every book review you complete.
Book Talk
Record yourself giving a book talk and email the video to Lori. Book talks are typically between 2-4 minutes. Recorded book talks will be uploaded to the library's YouTube channel.
- Book talks should include the same components as a book review (see above).
- Make sure to feature the book cover in the video.
- Book talks must be emailed to Lori in mp4 format.
- Books must be available in the DeWitt District Library's collection and written for a teen audience.
- You will earn two service hours for every book talk you complete.
Cards for Children in the Hospital
- If you are interested in this project, email Lori for more details.
- Return finished cards to the library.
- You will earn one service hour for every six cards you complete.
Cards for Local Nursing Home Residents
- If you are interested in this project, email Lori to be assigned to particular residents.
- Return finished cards to the library.
- You will earn one service hour for every six cards you complete.
Color a Smile
Print off and color six pages from the Color a Smile website.
- When finished, complete the validation form on their website.
- Color a Smile will email you a link to your validation form and information about where to send the pages. To receive credit, forward this email to Lori and return your completed pages to the library.
- You will earn one hour for every six pages you complete.
Decorate Lunch Bags for People in Need
Decorate paper lunch bags with pictures and positive messages for Lansing residents who are supported by the Punks with Lunch program.
- Decorate six paper lunch bags and return them to the library. The library has extra bags you may use for this project.
- You will earn one hour for every six bags you decorate.
Kindness Rocks
Paint rocks with positive and inspirational messages and hide them around the community.
- Paint four rocks with inspirational messages and hide them somewhere in the community.
- To receive credit, take a photo of each rock you hide and email it to Lori.
- You will earn one hour for every four rocks you paint and hide.
Smithsonian Digital Volunteer - Transcription Center (Ages 14+)
Transcribe historical records and documents to help make them more accessible.
- Create an account on the Smithsonian Transcription Center website. Review their tips and resources page for help getting started.
- To receive credit, download the PDF report of your activity via the "My Work" section of your account and submit it to Lori. Learn more about tracking your hours here.
- Note: The Smithsonian requires digital volunteers to be at least 14 years old.
- You will earn one service hour for every hour you spend transcribing records.
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