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TeenSpace: Volunteering

Your guide to all things teen at the Huntington Beach Public Library!

Want to get more invovled with the Huntington Beach Public Library and earn valuable volunteer experience?

There are multiple opportunities available at our Central LibraryOak View Branch, and Main Street Branch!

If you're looking for other ways to help out our City, there are more volunteer opportunities available in the HB Community Opportunities and Orange County Community Opportunities tabs.

Open Volunteer Opportunities

Duration: Tuesdays, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Hours Earned: 1.5 hours per session
Eligibility: all teen volunteers ages 13+

The library welcomes teen volunteers who have a passion for LEGOs and engineering to assist Miss Maribel with our weekly LEGO Kids Club! Your job will involve suggesting or creating LEGO engineering challenges for kids ages 6 and up to try during each weekly session, supervising kids during the event, cleaning up afterward, and sorting our LEGOs into bins by their color or type. No advance training is required for this volunteer opportunity.
Questions about volunteering? Please email Christany, Teen Services Librarian
Questions about LEGO Kids Club? Please email Miss Maribel, Youth Services Clerk
How to Apply: Fill out the online application. You will be emailed a link to register for a seat at any available LEGO Kids Club volunteering session. All seats are first-come, first-served.


Teen Seed Library Volunteers at the Huntington Beach Public LibraryDuration: 3rd Saturday of Every Month, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Hours Earned: 3 hours per session
Eligibility: all teen volunteers ages 13+

The library welcomes teen volunteers to contribute to our Seed Library by sorting and packaging the seeds donated to the library. This is an important job, as the library cannot replenish their supply of seed packets without having new seeds labeled and packed for circulation in the community. Your job will involve labeling seed cards and packaging seeds according to the samples given. Your handwriting must be clear and legible.
Questions about volunteering? Please email Christany, Teen Services Librarian
Questions about using the Seed Library? Please email Cynthia Flores, Public Services Clerk
How to Apply: F
ill out the online application. You will be emailed a link to register for a seat at any available Seed Library volunteering session. All seats are first-come, first-served.


Duration & Hours Earned: Variable; dependent on the program / activity you pitch to us
Eligibility: all teen volunteers ages 13+

The "Teens Teach" volunteer program provides opportunities for teens to take charge and lead an activity or event at the Huntington Beach Public Library! Pitch your program idea to our Teen Services staff, who will work with applicants on the logistics of making their suggestion a reality. We encourage applicants to consider sharing a special skill with other teens, or host an event that brings teens together or provides an educational experience. Previous teen volunteers have taught a needlefelting basics workshop, hosted an Open Mic Night, and even run a Super Smash Bros library tournament. The possibilities are as unique as your interests and experiences!
Questions? Please email Christany, the Teen Services Librarian
How to Apply: Fill out the online program pitch form, and wait to be contacted by our Teen Services Librarian


Duration: Between June 1st - August 31st as needed to photograph summertime library events & activities
Hours Earned: Variable; as needed for library events
Eligibility: all teen volunteers ages 14+ with some photography experience

Take photos of library events and activities for use in library social media campaigns, advertisements, marketing materials, or grants. This is a chance to practice your photography skills at fun library events for kids, teens, and adults while earning valuable volunteer service credit! Teens with a passion or interest in photography and some experience with taking/editing photos are encouraged to apply.
Questions? Please email Christany, the Teen Services Librarian
How to Apply: Fill out an online volunteer interest form, and wait to be contacted for an upcoming opportunity. This is an excellent volunteer option during the summertime, because there are so many fun events happening all summer long!

Duration: First Friday of the month, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Hours Earned: 1 hour per session

Eligibility: open to ages 13+

Help out at the Main Street Branch Library with our monthly Lego Club for kids ages 4-9! Lego Club is held the first Friday of every month. Each club session will feature a different Lego building challenge, as well as free building time. Your job will be to help set out / clean up Legos for the program, supervise kids as they build and play, and help them out with their builds. You can also suggest fun building challenges for future clubs!
How to Apply: Fill out a Main Street Teen Volunteer Application and email it to the Main Street Branch Manager, or drop by the branch to pick up a paper application.

Questions? Please email the Main Street Branch.

Hours Earned: variable, on an as-needed basis
Eligibility: open to ages 13+

Assist library staff with cleaning books, preparing crafts, organizing supplies, assisting with library programs and more. This is an invaluable volunteer position as there are many small tasks to complete in our library! Occasionally, the library also has a particular special project or event it needs assistance with, such as organizing a craft closet or working at an all day event. During special events, volunteers help with setup, cleanup, assisting visitors, replenishing supplies, etc.
How to Apply: Fill out a Main Street Teen Volunteer Application and email it to the Main Street Branch Manager, or drop by the branch to pick up a paper application.
Questions? Please email the Main Street Branch

Hours Earned: variable, on an as-needed basis
Eligibility: open to ages 14+

Library pages straighten shelves, return books to their rightful places, and help library visitors locate items. You will need to pass a test of your alphabetizing and Dewey Decimal knowledge to be considered for this opportunity.
How to Apply: Fill out a Main Street Teen Volunteer Application and email it to the Main Street Branch Manager, or drop by the branch to pick up a paper application.
Questions? Please email the Main Street Branch

Duration: Saturdays from 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Hours Earned: 2 hours per session

Eligibility: open to ages 14+

Help teach children & other teens how to play chess, or how to play various board games from our collection! If you have any previous chess experience, you may be asked to assist teaching basic skills to new players.
How to Apply: Fill out an Oak View Teen Volunteer Application and email it to the Oak View Branch Manager, or drop by the branch to pick up a paper application.
Questions? Please email Claudia Locke, the Oak View Branch Manager

Duration: Last Friday of every month, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Hours Earned: 1.5 hours per session

Eligibility: open to ages 14+

Help out with our monthly "Fun with Lego" program for kids ages 4-10. Each club session will feature a different Lego building challenge, as well as free building time. Your job will be to set out, sort, and clean up Legos for the program, supervise kids as they build and play, and help them out with their builds. You can also suggest fun building challenges for future sessions!
How to Apply: Fill out an Oak View Teen Volunteer Application and email it to the Oak View Branch Manager, or drop by the branch to pick up a paper application.
Questions? Please email Claudia Locke, the Oak View Branch Manager

Hours Earned: variable, on an as-needed basis
Eligibility: open to ages 13+

Assist library staff with cleaning books, preparing crafts, organizing supplies, assisting with library programs and more. This is an invaluable volunteer position as there are many small tasks to complete in our library! Occasionally, the library also has a particular special project or event it needs assistance with, such as organizing a craft closet or working at an all day event. During special events, volunteers help with setup, cleanup, assisting visitors, replenishing supplies, etc.
How to Apply: Fill out an Oak View Teen Volunteer Application and email it to the Oak View Branch Manager, or drop by the branch to pick up a paper application.
Questions? Please email Claudia Locke, the Oak View Branch Manager

Hours Earned: variable, on an as-needed basis
Eligibility: open to ages 14+

Library pages straighten shelves, return books to their rightful places, and help library visitors locate items. You will need to pass a test of your alphabetizing and Dewey Decimal knowledge to be considered for this opportunity.
How to Apply: Fill out an Oak View Teen Volunteer Application and email it to the Oak View Branch Manager, or drop by the branch to pick up a paper application.
Questions? Please email Claudia Locke, the Oak View Branch Manager

Teen Volunteering with the Amigos de Bolsa Chica
Duration:
 Last Saturday of every month, 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM, weather permitting.
Hours Earned: 3 hours per session; plan to attend the entire time: early departures not allowed & late arrivals not admitted.
Eligibility: ages 14+ with signed parental waiver (teens under the age of 14 must volunteer with a responsible adult)

Location: South parking lot of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, halfway between Warner Ave and Seapoint St. on Pacific Coast Hwy, directly across Hwy from entrance to Bolsa Chica State Beach.

Questions about Amigos de Bolsa Chica? Visit amigosdebolsachica.org, email info@amigosdebolsachica.org, or call (714) 840-1575.
How to Apply: F
ill out an online application / waiver

Assistance League of Huntington Beach: Assisteens**
Eligibility: students in grades 7-12

Location: Assistance League of Huntington Beach (8071 Slater Ave STE 145, Huntington Beach, CA 92647)

Questions about Assisteens? Email assisteens@assistanceleaguehb.com or call (714-847-6511)
How to Apply: F
ill out an application packet & mail to address above.
**NOTE: Requires annual membership fee. See application packet for details.


 

Teen Volunteering at the Bolsa Chica Conservancy
Duration:
 Second Sunday & Last Saturday of each month, 9:00 AM -12:00 PM
Hours Earned: 3 hours per session
Eligibility: ages 14+ (teens under the age of 14 must volunteer with a responsible adult)

Location: 3842 Warner Ave. Huntington Beach, CA 92649

Questions about the Bolsa Chica Conservancy? Visit call Kenny at (714) 846-1114 or email kenny@bolsachica.org
How to Apply: Sign up on the Conservancy's Volunteer Registration Calendar, and f
ill out the online volunteer service agreement. Bring your signed agreement with you to the event, or email it to kenny@bolsachica.org.

Teen Volunteering with the Bolsa Chica Land Trust
Duration:
 First Sunday and Third Saturday of every month, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM.
Hours Earned: 3 hours per session
Eligibility: ages 14+ (teens under the age of 14 must volunteer with a responsible adult)

Location: The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve North Parking Lot (3842 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach, 92649) at the corner of PCH and Warner.

Questions about the Bolsa Chica Land Trust? Email Beverley at Beverley@BCLandTrust.org or call the office at (714) 846-1001. For questions about the volunteer application, email Erin at erin@bclandtrust.org.
How to Apply:
Register on BCLT’s Online Portal, and sign up for volunteer events. Families must sign up individual family members.

Dog Beach Volunteer Cleanup
Duration:
 June 4 & 17, July 14 & 30, August 13 & 26, weather permitting.
Eligibility: All ages welcome. Minors attending without parents are required to submit a signed consent form.

Location: Dog Beach is located off Pacific Coast Highway between Goldenwest Street and Seapoint Street. Check in with your waiver forms at our Tower 24 shed. Please allow up to 30 minutes for parking.

Questions about the Dog Beach? Visit www.dogbeach.org/beach-cleanup or call (714) 841-8644
How to Apply: Submit an online form to register as a volunteer. Upon submission, Dog Beach staff will email a waiver and assign a check in time.

 

Teen Volunteering with the HB Tree Society
Duration:
 Variable; weeding & tree care in the Urban Forest & Shipley to Shore Nature Trail in the back (south end) of Central Park on Thursday, Friday, & Saturday mornings; weeding & plant care in the Secret Garden and Central Park East on Fridays from 10am - noon; volunteering at Gibbs Butterfly Park on Wednesday, Saturday, & Sunday mornings. Rain cancels.
Eligibility: ages 13+; must be accompanied by an adult if under 18

Questions about volunteering with TRCHB? Email jnagytree@aol.com
How to Apply: Fill out the volunteer waiver and submit to jnagytree@aol.com

 

Teen Volunteering at the Shipley Nature Center
Duration:
 Second Saturday of every month, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Hours Earned: 2 hours per session
Eligibility: ages 14+ (teens under the age of 14 must volunteer with a responsible adult)

Location: 17851 Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach CA 92647 (Directions

Questions about Shipley Nature Center? Visit shipleynature.org/volunteer or email info@shipleynature.org
How to Apply: F
ill out an online application (and waiver for volunteers under 18) and email it to info@shipleynature.org

 

Teen Volunteering with the Therapeutic Riding Center of HB
Duration:
 Variable; must be able to commit to the same day / time for a full 8-week session. Must attend a mandatory New Volunteer Training prior to starting.
Eligibility: ages 14+; no prior horse experience necessary, but is helpful! Must be able to stand on your feed for at least one hour at a time, walk and jog on uneven ground, handle a dusty environment, and be able to move quickly around large animals.

Questions about volunteering with TRCHB? Email heatherg@trchb.org
How to Apply: Fill out the online application

Help Special Needs Kids & Teens with The Friendship Circle
Duration: Variable; dependent on which activities you sign up for
Hours Earned: Variable; dependent on which activities you sign up for
Eligibility: ages 10+

Questions about volunteering with The Friendship Circle? Email Michelle@FriendshipOC.org
How to Apply: Fill out the online form at www.friendshipoc.org


 

Junior Volunteer Program at the Fountain Valley Regional Hospital
Duration:
 Assigned a regular 3-hour shift on either Saturday or Sunday between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm. All new Junior Volunteers have an initial 6-month commitment, but may stay on until high school graduation.
Eligibility: High school freshmen, sophomores, or juniors ages 16 or older. Seniors ages 18 and older may apply to the Adult & College Student program after high school graduation.

Questions about volunteering with TRCHB? Email FVR-Volunteer@tenethealth.com
How to Apply: Fill out the online application.

 

Beach Cleanups with the North OC Surfrider Foundation
Duration:
 Variable; check out the Cleanup Schedule for more details
Hours Earned: 2 - 3 hours per session
Eligibility: all teen volunteers ages 14+ (teens under the age of 14 must volunteer with a responsible adult)

Questions about volunteering with the North Orange County Surfrider Foundation? Email CLEANUPS@NorthOC.Surfrider.org
How to Apply: F
ill out the online form at northoc.surfrider.org/volunteer

 

 

Beach Cleanups with the Orange County Coastkeeper
Duration:
 Variable; check out the Cleanup Schedule for more details
Hours Earned: 2 hours per session, from 9am - 11am (unless stated otherwise)
Eligibility: ages 13+

Questions about volunteering with OC Coastkeeper? Email volunteer@coastkeeper.org
How to Apply: Fill out the online form at coastkeeper.org/cleanup-oc

 

 

Volunteer Coaching with the Orange County Special Olympics
Eligibility: ages 14+

Questions about volunteering with OC Special Olympics? Email lmarksury@sosc.org
How to Apply: Fill out the online form.

 

 

 

Volunteer at the WAGS Animal Shelter
Eligibility: ages 16+

Questions about volunteering with WAGS Animal Shelter? Email cortney@wagspetadoption.org or call (714) 887-6156

How to Apply: Fill out the online form


Huntington Beach Public Library
7111 Talbert Ave. Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Phone 714-842-4481