Volunteer, Research, Courses, & Other Opportunities for Upper School Students

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Volunteer Opportunities in the Community

(listed alphabetically)

  • 9th-12th GRADERS: Baptist Health
    • What: Junior Program 14-18 and College Program 18-22 
    • Where: Baptist Health of Louisville 
    • When:  2 month commitments per Spring, Summer, and Fall Seasons, varying days & hours
    • How: Apply through www.baptisthealthlouisville.com > volunteer programs > College and Junior Volunteer Program > Volunteer Opportunities 
    • Learn more about the Baptist Health Student Volunteer Program by clicking here
    • Contact Letha Curtsinger Volunteer Coordinator / Manager of Student Programs (502) 896-7045 with all questions.

  • 9th-12th GRADERS: Catholic Charities of Louisville
    • What: Varies from administrative work, tutoring, cleaning, organizing, gardening, packaging care boxes, visiting with elderly etc.
    • Where: Various locations in Louisville
    • When: Varies
    • How: View volunteer opportunities and complete an application here.
    • Learn more about Catholic Charities of Louisville here.
    • Contact Lauren Goldener at lgoldener@archlou.org with any inquiries.

  • 7th-12th GRADERS: Dare to Care
    • What: Dare to Care partners with local social service agencies, such as food pantries, shelters and emergency kitchens to distribute food to our community.
    • Where: 5803 Fern Valley Rd. Louisville, KY 40228
    • When: Varies
    • How: To learn how to volunteer please click here.
    • Learn more about Dare to Care here.

  • 7th-12th GRADERS: Hope Scarves
    • What: Hope Scarves is an international non-profit organization based in Louisville, Kentucky. Their mission is to support people facing cancer and “live life over cancer” through scarves, stories, and research. Volunteers can serve in several different ways to help aid in the collection of scarves from around the world and stories from cancer survivors and pair them together to spread hope to others in treatment. 
    • Where: Hope Scarves is located at 141 N. Sherrin Avenue Suite #101 Louisville, KY 40207; Scarf drives may be hosted anywhere
    • When: Varies
    • How: Learn the variety of ways you and your community can volunteer by clicking here.
    • Learn more about Hope Scarves here.

  • 9th-12th GRADERS: Kentucky Humane Society: East Campus Adoption Center
    • What: After attending an educational orientation to learn animal care protocols, completing two cleaning shifts, and attending a mentor shift with a staff member, volunteers begin meeting the variety of needs of the animals and overall Adoption Center.
    • Where: East Campus Adoption Center at 1000 Lyndon Lane, Louisville, KY 40222.
    • When: Varies in 2hr shifts
    • How: View volunteer opportunities and the application process by exploring the KHS website: here.

  • 9th-12th GRADERS: Norton Hospital
    • What: Volunteer opportunities in clinical and non-clinical areas
    • Where: Norton Healthcare Hospitals
    • When: varies
    • How: Please click here to complete an application at available hospitals you wish to volunteer.
    • Learn more about Norton’s Volunteer Program here.

  • 9th-12th GRADERS: Ronald McDonald House
    • What: The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana is to provide the home and support that allows families to stay together while they focus on the healing of their sick children at a critical time. Volunteers assist with providing meals or leading fun activities for children of the families.
    • Where: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana 550 S. First Street Louisville, Kentucky 40202
    • When: One time opportunities available; when one may schedule varies
    • How: View volunteer opportunities and sign up here.

Research, Job-Shadowing, Internships, Fellowships, Courses, & Other Opportunities

  • 9th-12th GRADERS: Congressional Award Medal  
    • What: The Congressional Award provides opportunities for young people to unleash their potential by achieving personal goals focused on volunteerism, character development, and fitness. The program is non-partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive. 
    • Where: Wherever you are! 
    • When: Young people may register when they turn 13 1/2 years old. They are eligible to submit activities starting at 14 years old and must complete their activities by their 24th birthday. 
    • How: You only have to register for the program once. On your own or with your friends. This is not an award for past accomplishments. Instead, you are honored for achieving your own challenging goals after registering for the program. 
    • Cost: one-time $25.00 registration fee 
    • Learn more and register here

  • 5th-12th GRADERS: Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute
    • What: “The Reagan Institute proactively promotes Reagan’s ideals, vision, and leadership example for the benefit of generations to come through youth education and academic alliances, scholarly work, and substantive, issue-driven forums.”
    • Learn about the opportunities from the Ronald Reagan Inst. here.

  • 9th-12th GRADERS: International Research Institute of North Carolina (IRI-NC)  
    • What: IRI-NC offers Individual or Group Introduction to Research Programs and an Express Intro to Research Program 
    • Where: The program is conducted online. 
    • When: Applications are on a rolling admissions basis. Starting dates: twice per month. Students will typically participate in an 8-week term, but a 4-week version is available. You will coordinate the meetings with your mentor & PI based on your availability.
    • How: Fill out an online form and send to admissions@iri-nc.org, interview with the admissions coordinator and or faculty, receive acceptance notification 
    • Cost: ranges from $995 – $2,750  
    • Learn more and apply here

  • 9th-12th GRADERS: Louisville Bar Association 2023 Summer Law Institute SLI
    • What: The SLI is a week-long non-residential camp for high school students (9th – 12th grade) interested in a career in the law.
    • When: This program is currently passed, please keep an eye here for next year’s dates.
    • Where: Students will be visiting and observing Jefferson District and Circuit Courts and U.S. District Court. 
    • Learn more and find application with instructions here.

  • 11th-12th GRADERS 17 years & older: Norton Healthcare High School Programs : Job Shadowing & Norton Healthcare Scholars Program
    • Who & Why: Available for high school and college students to become involved with health care and explore career options.
    • What & How: The programs support high school students in career exploration and creation of meaningful work experiences that directly impact patients. The programs provides unique experiences in health care through volunteering, shadowing, hands-on experience and other learning opportunities.
    • Where & When: Norton Healthcare Hospitals; varies
    • Learn more and apply here.
  • 11th Grade Girls: Louisville & Bullitt County Distinguished Young Women Scholarship Program
    • What: The DYW mission is to empower young women to reach their full potential by providing scholarship opportunities for college as well as personal development to become confident leaders.
    • When: Information meetings take place in the fall each year and orientation occurs in January.
    • How: Junior girls, watch for invites emailed from your College Counselor.
    • Learn more and apply here.

Considering a Gap Year after graduation?

  • Young adults (including HLS grads) ages 18-24: Bridge Program at Barefoot Republic Camp
    • What: 9 year gap program
    • Where: Southern Kentucky
    • Why take a gap year? 2 common reasons are to recover from academic burnout and recharge and refocus: Bridge Program advocates this can be a time to deepen one’s faith, strengthen one’s character, and learn what it means to passionately follow Jesus
    • When: the fall after graduation
    • Learn more and register here.

Job Board

  • Southern Baptist Theological Seminary SBTS Lifeguard
    • No experience required.
    • SBTS will pay for the required lifeguard and CPR training.
    • Must be able to swim and remain attentive for extended periods of time.
    • For the job listing please click here