Ways to Earn Service Hours

Through community volunteer activities

  • Local Newspapers and magazines
  • Places of worship

Through school

  • Morning announcements
  • Class and club opportunities
  • Sport program assistance

If you have questions, check with the Service-Learning Coordinator at your school.

Places to Volunteer / Ongoing Opportunities

Some organizations require volunteers to be a certain age. As you get older there will be more opportunities for you to volunteer in the community.

  • American Cancer Society -
  • American Red Cross of Maryland – 410.764.4602 ext.1.or call 1.800.272.0094 or email: / or pick up a flyer in the counseling office
  • Bear Branch Nature Center –410.848.2517 - Help with exhibits, caring for animals, greeting visitors, assisting with programs.
  • Brethren Service Center -Volunteer Opportunities - - some opportunities require parental involvement and/or consent
  • Carroll Composite Squadron - Unit Contact: Frank J Jarosinski; Phone: 410.596.0310; e-mail: – look on pages 3 or 4 for details to this opportunity.
  • Carroll County Equestrian Council – 410.386.2103
  • Carroll County Food Sunday | Howto Help – - fill out the online information form.
  • Carroll County Farm Museum – to volunteer for an event contact: Jason at 410-386-3891 or email
  • Carroll County Weed Warriors – Volunteer opportunities to help irradiate invasive weeds at our local parks like Piney Run Park and Bear Branch. Training is required. They are also on Facebook.
  • To volunteer at Piney Run Park please contact: Nicole Myers at
  • To find out about other weed warrior opportunities and future trainings, email:: or contact: Carolyn Puckett @ 410.876.995
  • Carroll Hospice Center - - Please arrange an interview by calling our volunteer coordinator at 410-871-7228 or download our brochure on "Becominga Hospice Volunteer."
  • Carroll Hospital Center - Junior Volunteers - - Application NOW available – Deadline is April 1st. They also need volunteers for their thrift shop, The White Rabbit – contact the shop manager, Michele DiGate at 410.871.1940 if you are interested.
  • Carroll Lutheran Village – - locate theStudent Volunteer info and fill out an online application.
  • Carroll County Project Linus – Project coordinator is Amy (443) 900-1778 The National website is
  • Carroll Non-Profit Center - - This is a listing of non-profit organizations, which reside at 255 Clifton Blvd Ste 201, Westminster, MD 21157
  • Copper Ridge - Kathleen Liebersonat 410-795-8808, extension 1142.
  • Eldersburg Branch Public Library – 410.386.4460 – CCPL Writers’ Block – Teen Blog;Kid Works programs and the Summer Reading program as well as activities – look on pages 3 or 4 for details to this opportunity
  • Fairhaven / Integrace –Kathleen Lieberson – email and Jocelyn Martin – email or phone: 410-795-8808, extension 1142– look on pages 3 or 4 for details to this opportunity
  • Family and Children’s Services of Central Maryland – - online application submission.
  • Finksburg Branch Public Library – 410.386.4505
  • Freedom District Lions Club - - Lions meet the needs of local communities and the world every day because they share a core belief - to serve their community.
  • Freedom Rec Council – - will need to contact individual organizations – help is always needed at snack shacks and information can sometimes be found at the library.
  • Goodwill - Our local store 410.552.5060 or their website for many different opportunities
  • Habitat for Humanity Int'l Volunteer Programs -
  • Habitat for Humanity Restore – enter zip code - locations in Columbia, Frederick and Baltimore
  • HorseNet Horse Rescue – - will need to complete volunteer application, which is online or you can pick on up from the counseling office.
  • Human Society – - will need to submit an application. - look on pages 3 or 4 for details to a partnership opportunity they have with PetCo.
  • JoeyDCares Charity Rock Orchestra – Musicians and Stage Crew are needed – Please contact: Joe Dundore at for more information or to join – look on pages 3 or 4 for details to this opportunity
  • Maryland Science Center/Camp In’s – Announcement will be made when application is available, and canbe picked up from the counseling office – Must be at least 15 years of age or older, and in 10th – 12th grade. Sessions run from January through May. Must commit to 4 sessions.
  • The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore - - Several types of opportunities…two of which require registration and a commitment. To volunteer for or learn about special events, please contact the Volunteer Department at r call 443.552.5266.
  • Maryland Society for Sight – 410.243.2020
  • Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland - – click on volunteer tab for various ways to help
  • NESAP – - call to volunteer - 410.374.9099
  • Piney Run Park - Departmentof Recreation and Parks - Help with exhibits, caring for animals, greeting visitors, assisting with programs. For more info, please call 410.795.6043. More info about Piney Run can be found on their website:
  • Project Liberty Ship –410.558-0646– look on pages 3 or 4 for details to this opportunity
  • Ronald McDonald House Charities of Baltimore –
  • Shepherd's Staff- – online application – or call 410.857.5944
  • Special Olympics -
  • SERRV - help in their warehouse location in New Windsor MD @500 Main Street, New Windsor, MD21776 – phone: 410.635.8711 or email: /
  • Sykesville Main Street Association - - hover on the “Get Involved” tab and then click on Volunteer
  • Therapeutic Recreation –Deborah Gemmill 410.386.2452or
  • Transitions Health Care – Oakland Manor Assisted Living - Please contact Shawn Phillips @ 410-970-5036...x112 to sign-up or for more information.

Students, parents, and individuals who accept student volunteers are here by advised that the fact the Service-Learning is mandated is not a sufficient basis for attaching liability to the Carroll County Public Schools. The Board of Education of Carroll County does not provide general liability insurance for individuals or organizations for whom students may perform students service activities. Parents or guardians of students and individuals or organizations that accept student volunteers should verify the adequacy of their own insurance coverage.

Carroll CountyPublic Schools Webpage of Service-Learning Opportunities:

Other Web Based Service-Learning

  • Carroll County Informational website - - this website can help you find the right fit for you. Wwhether you're looking to raise funds, raise awareness, or just raise spirits, you'll find there are endless opportunities to get involved in causes that matter to you right here in Carroll County and the surrounding towns.
  • Corporation for National Service- is a federal agency that engages more than 5 million Americans in service through its core programs.
  • Do Something - - Check out this teen-friendly site, with various causes and opportunities; and get yourself involved.
  • The Generator School Network - - The GSN is the leading resource for fast and easy sharing, service-learning professional development, and networking.
  • Youth Service America - - The one-stop shopping site for service and volunteerism as well as information on National Youth Service Day in April.

Details to a few of the ongoing opportunities:

CCPL - Writers’ Block – Teen Blog Guidelines

Do you love to write, or create works of art? Then this Service Learning opportunity is for you!

The CCPL Teen Blog is a place for teens to share reviews and opinions about books, music, games and movies. It is also a place to share art work, creative writing, and more while earning service hours too!

  • Students ages 12-17 may contribute.
  • Three service hours per blog post will be awarded. If you have a project that will require more hours, it is your responsibility to talk that over with the blog administrator.
  • Service hours will be awarded in May. If you need to get hours at a different time, it is your responsibility to contact the blog administrator to make arrangements.
  • Post at least one entry a month. Exceptions may be made, but you must contact your branch representative to discuss. You may also post more than one entry per month.
  • Posts must be received by the first of each month.
  • Posts will be published to the blog on a staggered schedule throughout the month.
  • A blog post should be between 200-700 words.
  • All blog posts must be edited before submitting. If there are an abundance of mistakes, they will be sent back for revision.

If you have any questions or are interested in being a blog contributor, please visit and fill out the contact form.

Fairhaven

They are in need of volunteers to assist with various opportunities such as visiting one on one with residents, helping out with larger recreation and engagement programs, delivering mail, playing cards/games and on the last Thursday of every month help is needed getting residents to and from the auditorium and assistance with serving at a large dinner party from 4:30 – 6:30.

Please contact Kathleen Lieberson via email or Jocelyn Martin via email . Phone is also available:

Transitions Healthcare - Oakland Manor Assisted Living

Volunteers are needed for weekend visits, to read the morning news, play BINGO or other games, help with serving of donuts, muffins, coffee, and if so inclined do one on one visits with residents. Please contact: Shawn Phillips @ 410-970-5036...x112 to sign-up or for more information.

JoeyDCares Rock Orchestra – Help Raise Funds for Charity

Looking for service learning hours? Do you like being part of a musical group who’s already raised almost $30,000 for charity? Then check out the JoeyDCares Rock Orchestra!

Who: Any high school student with or without music experience.

What: Students who already play instruments can perform with the group and students who do not playinstruments can earn service hours by helping with stage crew

When: Monday night rehearsals from 5:45pm-8pm

Where: Oklahoma Road Middle School, gigs throughout the year in the Carroll and Baltimore areas

Please contact: Joe Dundore at for more information or to join.

Humane Society Opportunity thru PetCo Partnership

Through its partnership with PetCo in Westminster, The Humane Society of Carroll County has been able to place more than 200 cats into homes, using the store's adoption space. The continuation of the partnership is dependent on the efforts of volunteers who care for the cats, assist in adoptions, and transport supplies provided by the Humane Society. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, contact Karen Baker at or 410-848-4810, ext. 819.

Carroll Composite Squadron - Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary

Would you like to honor and serve America? Do you want to prepare for your future while making new friends? Then rise to the challenge of cadet membership in the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol.

Cadets fly, learn to lead, hike and camp, get in shape, and push themselves to new limits. If you’re dreaming about a career in aviation, space, or the military, CAP’s Cadet Program is for you. To become a cadet, you must be at least12 years oldand not yet 19 years old.Cadets meet 2 hours per week and one Saturday per month, on average, and also have opportunities to attend leadership encampments, career academies, and other activities during the summer. Many of the activities CAP is involved in will help, you, the Maryland student, acquire service hours.

The Carroll Composite Squadron is located in Westminster, Maryland. It has three primary missions that include: aerospace education, cadet programs, and emergency services. Our members are from the Westminster, Sykesville, Reisterstown and Finksburg areas as well as from southern Pennsylvania.

Take a chance...Come to one of our weekly meetings and meet some of our cadets and learn more about becoming part of the Civil Air Patrol and help make a difference in your community! Meetings are held every Tuesday @1900 – 2100 (7:00 – 9:00 PM) at the Hilltop Assembly of God Church Hall, 30 North Cranberry Road, Westminster, Maryland

Unit Contact: Frank J Jarosinski; Phone: 410.596.0310; e-mail:

Project Liberty Ship – Volunteer Aboard the John W. Brown Liberty Ship

This organization welcomes the opportunity to provide volunteer and educational internship / volunteer opportunities to students. Many students who have taken advantage of these opportunities have gone onto maritime post-secondary schools such as the Naval, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine Academies or an interest in engineering or other STEM careers.

The JOHN W. BROWN is one of only two Liberty ships still in operation of the 2,710 built during World War IIandis the only one on the east coast. A "Liberty" ship was a specific design of a 441 foot long, 5-hatch, dry cargo ship built quickly and in large numbers to handle the enormous amounts of cargo transported overseas to support the war effort. The BROWN was built by Baltimore's Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard, named for a labor executive,and launched on Labor Day 1942. The ship has been preserved and operated as a historic vessel by an all-volunteer crew since 1988. The ship has been preserved and operated as a historic vessel by an all-volunteer crew since 1988. The vessel is owned and operated by Project Liberty Ship, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. If you are interested in looking over an extensive booklet that they provided me to see the types of things you can learn, see Mrs. Costolo in the Counseling Office.

Contact the Project Liberty Ship Staff Office for more information on how to get started volunteering at 410.558.0646

1