Community Service
Community ServiceAt Pacific Collegiate School, community service is more than just a requirement – it's an incredible opportunity for personal growth and making a positive impact on the world. Through volunteering, students develop responsibility, empathy, and a deeper understanding of social justice and civic responsibility. We believe in fostering lifelong commitment to public participation and encourage partnerships with individuals, organizations, and schools. At PCS, we want students to find volunteer opportunities that excite them, shaping their future decisions and creating a culture of community support. Join us in making a difference and let's inspire change together!
Step into Service
Community Service Expectation:
We expect each student to engage in community service. Middle school students (7th and 8th grade) must complete a minimum of 10 hours per year, while high school students (9th-12th grade) must complete a minimum of 20 hours per year.
Completing Service Hours:
Students have various options to fulfill their service hours:
- Volunteering at local non-profits or community organizations
- Participating in PCS activities and leadership opportunities
- Tutoring, or teaching music or art lessons
- Design your own service opportunities with PCS guidance
The following are no longer acceptable ways to satisfy Community Service requirements, since non-profit organizations are once again accepting student volunteers (post-COVID):
- Assisting family or community members in need
- Corresponding with isolated individuals
- Advocating for causes by contacting government officials
Documentation and Deadlines:
Email community service logs, signed by a parent/guardian, to get credit for completed community service hours. Annual community service hours are due on May 1st.
Email Community Service Coordinator, Gabe Kittle-Cervine
Community Service Opportunities
New Community Service Activity Request Community Service Log
Finding Good Volunteer Opportunities That Fit Your Interests
Here are a few of our favorites, linked for your convenience:
Boys & Girls Club
Come share your skills at the Club: we have needs that fit a huge variety of interests, including Academic Tutoring, Sports and Recreation, Arts, Music and Dance, Programming and Robotics, Chess, and Woodworking, as well as needs for help in Administration, Events, and Facilities. Visit www.boysandgirlsclub.info/volunteer/ for more information on how to sign up.
Camp Kesem
Are you interested in coordinating a donation drive for Camp Kesem at UCSC? Camp Kesem is an organization for children affected by a parent's cancer. They are in need of art supplies and are looking for students to make posters welcoming the students to camp too. If you are interested in helping with this, please email ucsc.volunteer@campkesem.org.
Coastal Watershed Council
Volunteers and interns are needed for various water-quality monitoring programs. Visit www.coastal-watershed.org or call 464-9200.
Environteers
Our mission is to provide easy access to the many rewarding environmental volunteer opportunities in our community and to promote the diverse and dedicated environmental organizations serving Santa Cruz County. Visit environteers.org to find a volunteer opportunity in climate, education, energy, farm & garden, forests, oceans, parks, recycling, transportation, water and wildlife.
Grey Bears
Contact Volunteer and Event Coordinator at (831) 479-1055 ext 226 or rosie@greybears.org
Habitat ReStore
It is a program of Habitat for Humanity and its primary mission is to provide additional funding to support our home building goals, provide quality materials at affordable prices, and to foster good stewardship of sustainable and reusable resources within the community of Santa Cruz. The Restore is open Wed 10am - 2pm, Thur, Fri and Sat from 9am to 5pm. We normally ask volunteers to work a shift i.e. 4 hrs, but we can make exceptions to accommodate student schedules. To volunteer or for more information email volunteer@habitatsc.org.
Homeless Garden Project
Volunteers needed on Saturday and Sunday (10am-4pm). Minors and a parent/guardian must sign a waiver, see below. Minors also must be accompanied by a chaperon the first time they visit the farm (although this does not have to be same person who signed the waiver). The farm is located on Shaffer Road at Delaware Ave. on the west side of Santa Cruz near Natural Bridges State Park and the Long Marine Lab. The 3 and 20 bus lines stop nearby. On Thursday and Friday, we are able to provide a hot lunch to volunteers. Rain cancels farm days. Students need to wear closed-toe shoes (required), as well as clothes they don't mind getting dirty, sun protection (hat + sunscreen), and layers, as the weather can often change quite a bit throughout the day.
KSQD Community Radio
Students are invited to write 240 words about a topic of their choosing. They then can come to the studio to record it and be involved in the editing process. The final product will be aired on KSQD 88.9FM twice on a date to be determined in the future.
Monterey Bay Aquarium - Teen Programs
High School and middle school students from the Central Coast area can explore the Monterey Bay - from both above and below the water - through our award-winning Teen Programs. See community service board for details or email Teen Programs at teenprograms@mbayaq.org
Native Plant Society
Volunteer as a part of the habitat restoration team or the plant propagation group. Other opportunities are also available. Visit www.cruzcnps.org.
PCS On Campus Opportunities
Help clean our campus during lunch for community service hours. Please see Mr. G in the library to sign up. 7th/8th students may complete all their hours on campus, high school students can do half. Campus work days count too!
Produce for Health
Looking for volunteers to help with Saturday food distribution and preparing for market. Provides families with members battling cancer free organic produce. Ongoing volunteer opportunities. Contact information: produceforhealth@gmail.com or call (831) 475-3327 produceforhealth.org
Reading Buddies Project
Reading tutors are paired with children in grades K- 2nd to help improve their reading skills and develop their love of reading. Each tutor will serve as a role model and have a positive influence on the lives of these early learners! The Reading Buddies Project is now recruiting volunteer tutors for Alianza Charter School in Watsonville. Contact ys@scvolunteercenter.org to learn about the next Reading Buddies training and how to get involved as a leader and/or tutor!
Red Cross Opportunities
For more information email wilson@redcross.org.
Ride A Wave
Ride a Wave's mission is to give children with special needs the chance to feel the thrill of riding a wave and experience a safe, fun-filled day at the beach, whether they are physically, developmentally or economically challenged. Click here for more information and to sign up to help: http://www.rideawave.org/volunteer.php
Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery
Do you have an interest in…working with children? Early childhood development? PR, marketing, and outreach? Exhibit design? Then spending some time volunteering at the Santa Cruz Museum of Discovery is the right fit for you! We are a new local non-profit organization geared toward the advancement of children 0 to 12 years old. We offer themed exhibits and classes that teach children about STEM, agriculture, marine environments, and more! We would love to have you on the team to expand ideas and coordinate with YOU! We are flexible and are willing to work around your schedule! Come spend some time with us today learn valuable employment-like experience and gain new skills to put on a resume or college applications! Go to http://www.sccmod.org/get-involved/volunteer/ for a link to the application.
Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter
Do you enjoy working with animals? We are looking for committed, youth volunteers (at least 13 years old) who have a passion for animals to volunteer at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter. Get hands on experience and learn to care for animals while getting community service hours! There is currently no wait list! Orientation and trainings are required. If you're interested, contact ys@scvolunteercenter.org for more information.
Santa Cruz Outdoor School, Cabin Leader at Science Camp
Volunteer and earn community service hours and gain valuable leadership skills while taking care of elementary students. Contact Elizabeth Lewis at (831) 291-3997 or cabinleaderinfo@santacruzcoe.org for more information. Hope to see you there!
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Positions available at the museum include tidepool collectors, gardeners, and docents For museum tours and outdoor education programs. For information, visit www.santacruzmuseums.org or call 420-6115.
Santa Cruz State Parks
Volunteer as a campground host, trailworker, student intern, or docent at one of Santa Cruz's beautiful state parks including Big Basin, Henry Cowell, Natural Bridges, Santa Cruz Mission, Wilder Ranch, and more. Visit www.santacruzstateparks.org or call the park you are interested in directly.
Save Our Shores
For a list of upcoming events click here: http://saveourshores.org/calendar/list/
Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County
Food sorting, M-F, 8-1 for 15yrs of age and older, and on some Saturdays, 8-12, for 8 years and older (those below 15 need to be accompanied by an adult). If interested, please contact Rosario Valerio, Volunteer Services Coordinator, 722-7110 x205 / rosario@thefoodbank.org Additionally there are food distributions throughout Santa Cruz County through our Passion For Produce program. They consist of setting up the produce, farmers market style, nutrition education class, food distribution, and clean up. These are throughout the week and throughout Santa Cruz County, from Felton to Watsonville. The time of the distribution/class also varies from mornings to evenings—none on weekends. If interested, contact Crystal Cerda at 722-7110 x218 / crystal@thefoodbank.org
Senior Tech Days
RSVP to Desiree at ys@scvolunteercenter.org or 831-427-5066.
Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab
Volunteer as a docent, gardener, aquarist, school programs instructor or apprentice guide. School Programs Instructor Training begins in September. For information, visit seymourcenter.ucsc.edu or call 459-3854.
Surfrider Beach Clean Ups
For more information- see http://santacruz.surfrider.org/get-involved/volunteer/
Teen Peer Court
For more information contact Celeste Gutierrez at cgutierrez@santacruz.k12.ca.us.
UCSC Arboretum
Opportunities are available for interested volunteers in the many areas including events, education tours, propagation and nursery, and more. Visit arboretum.ucsc.edu or call 427-2998.
YMCA Camp Campbell
Interested in being a camp counselor at science camp in Boulder Creek? Volunteers need to be 16 years old, a sophomore in high school and in good academic standing. See Ms. Musal in the Library for more information.
Education Consortium Institute
The Education Consortium Institute (ECI) is a non-profit exchange student program that's been operating in the Santa Cruz area since 1996. Almost every year ECI invites Japanese, Spanish, Italian and German exchange students to attend PCS for either Fall Semester or a full year. During their say, ECI connects them with a host family for the duration of their stay, and they're always looking for welcoming and responsible host families! Interested in hosting?
For more information, you can contact Janice Coury [janice@eci-ca.org] or Yuko Knight [yuko@eci-ca.org] or visit their website at www.eci-ca.org
Santa Cruz Shakespeare at The Grove
We have a variety of projects that students can support, from front of the house ushering during performances in the summer, to helping physically set the theater up this spring (aka right now!) All projects qualify for community service hours, but right now the biggest need is for individuals who can help us get the outdoor venue and stage setup. We have regular volunteer sessions every Saturday from 10am-2pm until June, so there are lots of opportunities for end-of-year service credit!
Additionally, volunteers who join for two shifts (each shift is around 4 hours) can receive a free ticket to any of our shows this summer! Interested participants can read more and apply online at our website: https://santacruzshakespeare.
APRIL 2025
Antonelli Pond Restoration Event - APRIL 13th
Join us Sunday April 13th from 8am-12pm for an exciting day of watershed restoration by removing invasive English Ivy! Bring a water bottle, sunglasses and/or sun hat, long pants, and closed toed shoes. Tools, gloves, and educational talk will be provided. All ages and skill levels are welcome, and there will be free snacks!!
Questions? Contact: lucy.ihnken@gmail.com
Main Beach Clean Up - APRIL 13th
Join the call for this all hands on deck clean up day at Main Beach by the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, from 10am – 12pm, on Sunday April 13th. This is the perfect volunteer activity to do with friends, family, coworkers—or just meet new people who care about our coast! Meet on the deck next to the Beach Street Bathrooms and Ideal Bar & Grill.
Dia De Los Ninos Celebration - APRIL 19th
Join Monarch Community School on Saturday, April 19th from 11am to 2pm for their annual Dia de los Ninos Celebration. Located on the Branciforte Small School Campus, it’s a fun and easy way to earn your community service!
What you might be doing as a volunteer : helping run carnival game booths, helping at the bake sale and pizza table, face painting, art activities, price center, set up and clean up. You’re eligible to receive up to 5 hours (from set up to clean up is from 10am to 3pm). Students can come and help out for one or two hours or stay the entire time.
To sign up, put your name down on an open timeslot on this spreadsheet. If you need support, please register with Mr. G by Tuesday April 15th AT THE LATEST.
Watsonville Wetlands Habitat Restoration - APRIL 26th
Join us in restoring our wetlands and upland habitat, on Saturday April 26th from 9am-12pm. The volunteer work includes planting native plants, removing exotic invasive plants, or helping in our native plant greenhouse. We always make time for bird watching or a short hike around the wetlands. Check our social media and events calendar on our website for information on where to meet each month.
If you would like to learn more about how you can get involved, please join us on April 25th from 8:30-9am for our monthly new volunteer orientation on at the Fitz Wetlands Educational Resource Center (WERC, located at the top of the Pajaro Valley HS campus, 500 Harkins Slough Road). Our Education and Outreach Specialist Jose Alanis will provide a brief overview of our organization, programs, and volunteer opportunities, as well as a quick tour of the WERC.
Questions? Call 831-728-1156 or email us: info@watsonvillewetlandswatch.
Ducky Derby - APRIL 26th
On Saturday, April 26th, 2023 9:30-3:30 at Harvey West Park (326 Evergreen Street, SC) join Omega Nu for their annual Ducky Derby! Help set-up the event, run the carnival games, monitor the giant slides and help break down the event. It is family friendly and fun. Students volunteering all day will be treated to lunch and all volunteers get community service hours.
There are lots of time slots, so think about how many hours you want to work and sign up for multiple slots. By signing up, you will give joy to a lot of children, on the day of the event, and you will help raise funds for lots of organizations in our local community!
To sign up for a volunteer slot, click here!
MAY 2025
SAVE THE DATE: 2nd Annual Pitch In All-Santa Cruz County Cleanup Day - MAY 10th
Trash is a human health issue, psychologically depleting, and an environmental hazard that adversely affects our agricultural sector, our businesses, washes into our watersheds and ultimately ends up in our National Marine Sanctuary. Make Your Mother Proud Mother’s Day Weekend and Give Back To Mother Nature! The Pitch In Initiative on Litter and illegal dumping is looking for organizations, businesses, and individuals to organize or join the County-wide cleanups from 9am – 12pm on Saturday May 10th.
More information on how to host a cleanup, or join existing cleanups, waivers and other information can be found soon HERE