Eligible Activities:

Activities that are eligible as community hours include offering assistance to charities, service clubs and other not-for-profit organizations (canvassing, walk-a-thons, coaching, school carnivals, clean-ups, Meals on Wheels, etc); helping out in non-credit extracurricular activities at school (organizing grade 9 welcome bbq, parents' night, drama festival, etc); and providing assistance to individuals in need (hospital visits, reading to seniors, reading buddies with children, etc).

Ineligible Activities: 

Ineligible activities include handling securities, student's normal duties at home, operation of motor vehicles and power tools, court ordered programs, working for a company that operates to make a profit, performing duties of a paid worker or apprentice, and so on.

Please remember to hand in your sheet to guidance, signed, anytime you complete some volunteer hours. We will provide you with a new one for your next volunteer opportunity. 

For a list of volunteer opportunities of which we are aware, see below.   Some of them are date-specific, some are annual events, and some are open all year around. 

If you have a volunteer opportunity you would like to see added to the list below, please contact Carol Lemm in the Guidance department at 742-9221 x 259.

Current Opportunities: 

A GREAT place to search for volunteer opportunities is through www.fourinfo.com .  Click on Search for Volunteer Opportunities and then narrow down your search by area of the county, what type of work you'd like to do, and when you are available.  An absolutely terrific website for searching.

YWCA Tag Days are here and they need volunteers.  Volunteer for a 4 hour shift from Thursday, May 7 - Sunday, May 10th.  Volunteers tag for only 2 1/2 hours, but there is orientation beforehand.  Refreshments are provided.  Tag Days are an essential fundraising event and money raised directly supports the YWCA's Crossroads Shelters and Food Action Programs.  If interested pleae call Helen or Penny at 743-3526.

Relay for Life with the Canadian Cancer Society - The relay is on June 5th here at Crestwood.  Check out www.convio.cancer.ca to get involved. 

Relay for Life Bank Nights - Volunteers are needed to assist with the pledge collection.  Students are paired with a trained adult.  Help is needed June 1 and June 3 from 5:00-9:00pm at Crestwood and June 5 from 4:30-8:30 at Peterborough Speedway.  Training will be provided in mid-May.  An OPP officer is at these locations until the money is removed from the premises.  To get involved call Raye Downey at 742-9773 x 2366.

It's Dragonboat Festival time again.  This year's fundraiser for Breast Cancer will be held on Sat. June 13 at Little Lake in Peterborough.  Lots of volunteers are needed on that day, or to set up the evening before.  Contact Marilyn Tudhope at 743-3930 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For other ideas, please go to www.volunteercanada.ca. 

Summer Opportunities:

Lakefield Vacation Camp is looking for youth leaders to work along side adult leaders.  Volunteers will work with groups of up to 4 small children.  The camp is held at Lakefield United Church.  Call Cristina at LDIS 652-3001 

Become a Youth Leader with the Peterborough Museum and Archives.  If you like children and are interested in art, the environment, history and science, why not apply.  There is an $80 training fee, which covers: three days of training, Red Cross First Aid and CPR Certification, a Programming Resource Manual, and your Summer Discovery Tshirt.  Applications are available at www.PCMA,ca or at the Museum.  For further info, contact Jessica at the museum - 743-5180.

Kawartha Food Share needs volunteers for a City-Wide Food Drive.  Emergency food needs for food banks have never been higher in Peterborough.  If you would like to help with this Food Drive on Saturday, July19th from 9:30am-1:30pm please call Chris at 745-5377 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Camp Northern Lights - A summer camp in the Haliburton area for children 10-14 who would not otherwise have the camp experience.  Students 15-25 years old are needed to work as camp counsellors.  What a great way to have fun, enjoy summer camp, help younger students and get your hours done.  Students can download a volunteer application form from the website www.campnorthernlights.com and submit asap.

Enjoy the concerts in the summer.  Volunteer with the Festival of Lights at del Crary Park on Wed and Sat evenings.  Email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if interested.

Become a Teen Volunteer at Fairhaven.  They require assistance with the cafe, the refreshment cart, hairdressing, physiotherapy, recreation, meal assistant, or as a special event helper.  You will get back volunteer hours, form relationships with other teens and seniors, gain experience for your resume, develop new skills and have a rewarding summer.  If interested, contact Michelle at 743-0881 x 247. 

Do you love kids?  The Peterborough Centennial Museum and Archives needs you.  They are looking for youth leaders for their summer programs.  Do you to enjoy art, history, science and the environment?  There is a training session to earn your First Aid and CPR.  Contact Jessica Janiszewski at 743-5180 if interested.

For other ideas, please go to www.volunteercanada.ca. 

Ongoing Opportunities:

St. James United Church is seeking volunteers to assist in their St. James Essential Skills Tutoring program.  Students with good math and English skills can tutor JK-grade 8 students in all areas of the curriculum.  As well, they would like volunteers to assist in their After School Program.   Contact Sheryl Nimigon, Youth Worker at Stl James at 742-2222. 

Sherbrooke Heights Retirement Village has several volunteer opportunities for teens.  Please call Jeanette at 750-1020 for details.

Student volunteers are wanted at Riverview Manor Nursing Home.  Volunteers can help during the special events and teas, to take residents for short walks, to visit with a resident on a regular basis as a companion, to work as a bingo assistant, as a film night assitant or in the maintenance department.  Contact Riverview Manor if interested!

United Youth Advisory Committee is made up of a group of youth ages 14-19 who volunteer their time and leadership skills to United Way.  Committee members network with other teens, recruit youth volunteers, fundraise for Backpacks for Kids, make presentations about youth philanthropy and participate in the annual United Way compaign.  For more information visit http://uwpeterborough.ca/training/Youthadvisory.php or email Michelle at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

New Canadians Centre Peterborough is looking for volunteers to share conversation and culture, to help as a Language Helper, teach computers, fundraise, do office work, help with newsletter.  Call the centre at 743-0882 for info.

Become a reading buddy at the Peterborough Public Library.  Volunteer applications available in guidance office.  After school or weekends.

Internet Volunteers are needed for the Peterborough Public Library.  745.5560 for more info

The Art School of Peterborough is looking for teens to help with children's art classes.  742-3221

Assist with seating patrons at Showplace Theatre.  Call Maureen at 740-9014

If you like horses...Peterborough Association for Riding for the Disabled needs you.  Share the joys of therapeutic riding with children and adults of various abilities.  For just two hours per week from end of May to early September, you can join the program and be equipped with the necessary training.  Positions available to suit all levels of activity and interest.  Horse experience is not required but helpful.  Prepare the horses, be a sidewalker, etc.  Call PARD at 742-6441 orvisit www.pard.ca for details.

Promote concerts and the symphony for the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra.  www.thepse.org or 742-1992

If you are a non-smoker, perhaps you'd be interested in working with Youth Action Alliance to denormalize tobacco use.  www.pcchu.ca

Easter Seals needs you.  Email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or go to www.easterseals.org

Sew items for donations with the Marleau Sew and Sews.  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Fairhaven Retirement Home is always looking for teens who enjoy the company of the elderly.  Opportunities to work with recreation, hairdressing, physio, in the cafe, serving food.  Visit Fairhaven for a volunteer package.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a retail store that sells onated items.  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or www.restorepeterborough.ca

YWCA Y's Buys - work at the store, help with tag days, fundraise.  Call 743-3526 x 105.

If you like kids, maybe you can volunteer at the YMCA of Peterborough.  Kidskare volunteers are needed to assist staff with the care and supervision of infants, toddlers and preschoolers in the kidskare room.  Fill out a volunteer application at the Front Desk of the YMCA.  For more info, contact Maggie Sullivan at 748-9622 x 221 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Do you have what it takes to be a Special Friend?  Kinark Child and Family Services needs volunteers to be friends to children who experience sadness, anger or trouble at home/school.  You need to be 17 years old, and this opportunity requires a 8 month commitment.  If you (or your family) would like to help, call Kinark at 742-3802 or visit www.kinark.on.ca for details.

The Alzheimer Society of Peterborough hosts three major fundraising events for which they need volunteers.  The Annual Indoor Walk for Memories takes place in January - walkers collect pledges in order to walk.  In May, they hold their annual Tag Day, volunteers fundraise by collecting chance outside of local stores.    During the month of September, they host Coffee Break - a chance for various people and organizations to host coffee breaks for Alzheimers.   All of these events require volunteers to participate, as well as volunteers to help with setup, organization and paperwork type duties.  For information please cal lMarie Hough at 748-5131 or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tutors wanted  for the Computers for Litereacy Development Program.  Provide one-on-one tutoring, offer 1-2 hours per week.  Must be over 18.  Call Kristi McKay @748-9445 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Omemee Area Student Community Volunteer Hours Available - tasks include indoor/outdoor maintenance, minor repors.  Contact Gaylene at 799-7280.

Family FunFest is Peterborough's largest New Year's Celebration.  Volunteers are needed for 3 hours (6pm-9pm) at Peterborough Square.  Free Event T-Shirt, Volunteer hours and a Letter of Reference are available to all who participate!  Peterborough's New Year's Celebrations provides a safe and friendly community event showcasing entertainment for all ages.  To help set up and run these events call Geoff at 761-1720 or email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .   He promises to have you done BY 9PM so you can celebrate the rest of the evening with your family and friends.  

For other ideas, please go to www.volunteercanada.ca.