Volunteer Opportunities for Houston Teens
A non-profit organization “protecting our Gulf Coast through land conservation and fun, educational, inspiring adventures that spark creativity, awareness, and action.”
Help out at regular volunteer workdays, assist with special events like World Oceans Day celebration, or volunteer in the office.
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A non-profit organization that is revitalizing and transforming Buffalo Bayou, Houston’s most significant natural resource. Work includes addition of major destinations, landscaping, water features, and pedestrian bridges in Buffalo Bayou Park.
Groups or individuals can help with gardening, invasive species removal, trash pickup, trail work, special events such as KBR Kids Day, or administrative tasks. Please contact BBP for COVID-related updates.
Volunteers ages 9-17 years are welcome with a chaperone 21 years of age or older. There must be one adult per ten youth present.
A nonprofit that “works to protect greenspace for its conservation and recreational benefits, enhance wildlife habitat, restore tallgrass prairie and wetlands, sponsor scientific research, and offer public programming and activities.”
Work at the Indiangrass Preserve (remove invasive species, plant native grasses and other plants, work in plant nursery, collect or package seeds, help maintain trails, and more) or help grow plants at home.
16, to volunteer independently. Volunteers age 12 and up are welcome when accompanied by a responsible adult.
A one acre neighborhood pocket park near the edge of Bellaire that “Eagle Scout, Outfitter, Outdoor Educator, and Conservationist” Donald Greene left to Harris County at his death in 2014.
Help restore the park by attending a monthly workday, or scheduling a planting/restoration project.
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A nonprofit that offers a variety of community-based services that give people with disabilities opportunities to live, learn, work, and play as vital parts of their own communities or neighborhoods, and providing respite, support, and education for family members and caregivers.
Collect unwanted electronics to help provide training opportunities for Easter Seals clients, or collect gently used tablets, which will be loaned to adults and children with disabilities to help them communicate and learn. Please note that these collection/donation programs are on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic.
No minimum age.
A nonprofit that works “to preserve and enhance Galveston Bay as a healthy and productive place for generations to come” though advocacy, conservation, education, and research.
Help with Abandoned Crab Trap Removal (February), the Armand Bayou Trash Bash (March), Marsh Mania marsh grass planting (April), or the Bay Day Festival (May), or assist in other ways. Please contact the GBF for COVID-related updates.
None. All ages are welcome for most activities.
A nonprofit, interactive learning center that inspires passion and curiosity about health, the medical sciences, and the human body, attracting more than 2.5 million visitors a year.
Assist with week-long Summer Discovery Camps relating to medicine, forensic science, and sports. Please contact the Health Museum for COVID-related updates.
Camp volunteers must be 16 by May 1.
A nonprofit organization dedicated to the stewardship and improvement of Hermann Park – today and for generations to come.
General park care such as weeding, planting, caring for picnic tables and benches, and repairing trails, or helping with special events. Please contact the Conservancy for COVID-related updates.
Varies. Job shadow participants must be 13-17. Special event volunteers may need to be at least 16. In general, applicants under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult, or a parent/guardian must give written permission to participate.
A 155-acre non-profit urban nature sanctuary that provides education about the natural environment to people of all ages, and plays a vital role in protecting native plants and animals in the heart of the city where development threatens their survival.
Help with conservation and maintenance of the trails and grounds, summer and school break camps for children, holiday parties and other special events, and/or administrative tasks.
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A conservation, education, and advocacy organization that focuses on protecting the natural environment for birds and people. It owns and manages 17 nature sanctuaries to protect habitat for birds and to give people recreational opportunities in nature.
Trail maintenance, invasive species removal, filling bird feeders and baths, litter pick-up, native gardening, and other habitat improvement projects. Please contact Houston Audubon for COVID-related updates.
Varies. For most events, everyone is welcome, but volunteers under 14 must to attend with a parent or other adult. Volunteers must be 15 to work on trails.
Opened in Fall 2020, the HBG is intended to become “an oasis of great beauty allowing for contemplation, learning, inspiration, and research,” offering displays and programs, serving as a model for sustainability, and inspiring visitors to be stewards of the natural world.
Volunteer projects include horticulture & gardening support, administrative work, cultivating the community garden, and helping with classes and special events. Please contact the HBG for COVID-related updates.
5. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian while volunteering. Students must be 18 to volunteer independently.
One of the most popular museums in the U.S., housing the Burke Baker Planetarium, the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre, and the Cockrell Butterfly Center, as well as a variety of traveling and permanent exhibits.
Assist with week-long science summer camps or participate in the Moran EcoTeen summer program. Please contact the Museum for COVID-related updates.
High school and university students who will be at least 16 by June 3 may apply to the teaching assistant program. The application deadline for the teaching assistant program is at the end of March, and the EcoTeen application deadline is in January.
The city’s leading organization focused on litter reduction, beautification, and recycling education; it provides resources and education to inspire individuals and Houston communities toward greater environmental stewardship.
Help with clean-up, planting, and other beautification projects organized by Keep Houston Beautiful or partner organizations.
All ages are welcome unless a particular project specifies otherwise. Adult supervision is required for all volunteers under 18 years of age.
A 51-acre example of one of the most endangered ecosystems, the tallgrass prairie. Surrounded by housing, it was scheduled to be developed but was saved in 2014. It is now a protected preserve.
The Prairie hosts work days twice a month, when volunteers help remove invasive species and do other habitat restoration work.
16, to volunteer independently. Volunteers age 12 and up are welcome when accompanied by a responsible adult. All volunteers should bring a printed and signed volunteer waiver.
A nonprofit organization that works to preserve, protect, and enhance Memorial Park for the enjoyment of all Houstonians, today and tomorrow.
Projects range from working outside beautifying landscaped areas, picking up trash, rehabilitating natural surface trails, working on park conservation efforts, and supporting fundraising events. Memorial Park volunteer activities have been postponed until further notice. Please check the park’s volunteer page for COVID-related updates.
Volunteers aged 12-15 are welcome with a chaperone 21 years of age or older. There must be at least one adult per ten youth. Volunteers 16 years old and up may be allowed to volunteer without a chaperone at Conservancy events; email volunteer@
A summer program that gives teen volunteers an opportunity to help Moody Gardens, a nonprofit educational destination, while gaining experience in a variety of career fields, including biology and education.
SAVY volunteers help staff with various duties and responsibilities, help educate visitors, and learn about a variety of career fields such as biology and education.
14. Maximum age is 17.
A “unique and treasured education center and nature park,” located in Bellaire’s Russ Pitman Park, which serves as an outdoor classroom for its nature science programming and also offers a nature play area.
Volunteers can be counselors for camps held during the summer and during school breaks, animal care assistants, Discovery Room guides, and special event assistants. The Center welcomes Scout projects and group projects. Please contact the Center for COVID-related updates.
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This program’s goal is to mark every storm drain in Harris County in order to prevent pollution from entering our local waterways.
Affix special markers to neighborhood drains that say “No Dumping, Flows to Galveston Bay.” These remind residents to keep pollutants and trash out of the drains. More than 41,000 markers have been placed so far.
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SCA’s Community Programs “aim to build the next generation of conservation leaders and environmental stewards by getting local Houston youth out into their community and environment to do hands-on service to the land.”
Work on conservation projects throughout Houston, learn about environmental issues, and enjoy outdoor recreation during a 4-week summer program or during 5 weekends during the school year. Please contact SCA for COVID-related updates.
Applicants must be 14-19 years old and be enrolled in high school.
A program that helps keep Texas beaches clean through annual all-volunteer cleanups; educates Texans about harmful marine debris; and rallies support for intiatives to clean coastal waters.
Join thousands of other volunteers in picking up trash along the Texas coast. 2021 events are planned for April.
None, but all youth under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or chaperone.
A charity that plants, protects, and promotes trees throughout the greater Houston area. Since 1983 it has planted more than 500,000 trees along streets, esplanades, and trails; in parks; and around schools.
Help plant trees on Saturday planting days that take place several times each year, usually in November and December.
None, but volunteers under 18 must have a parent’s waiver, and parents should accompany young children.
This 290-acre greenway offers Houstonians recreational opportunities and helps control flooding, and includes ponds, native plants, walking trails and gazebos, and a variety of wildlife.
Help with planting; cleaning and maintaining the landscape; refurbishing, replacing, or adding signs or other features; or volunteering at the annual MusicFEST. Please contact WWGC for COVID-related updates.
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