16 and 17-year-old summer volunteers
Eligibility and requirements
There are a limited number of high school summer volunteer opportunities. In order to apply for a potential summer volunteer position, you must:
- Be 16 or 17 years old. If you are 18 or over, please visit the main clinic and hospital volunteers page.
- Commit to a minimum of 30 hours for the summer months. This is a minimum of 10, 3-hour weekly shifts (does not include training). Please take a careful look at your summer calendar, including any vacations, sports, etc. If you do not have at least 10 weeks available this summer, please apply again in the future.
- These positions are during weekday (Monday – Friday), daytime hours (generally between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.). There are no evening or weekend options at this time.
- Complete a personal interview.
- Complete online volunteer orientation.
- Clear a background check through the Department of Human Services, which includes fingerprinting to be done at an off-site location.
Volunteer opportunities
Round with the activities cart on inpatient units and offer art activities to patients and siblings. If applicable, work directly with patients, siblings and families by encouraging play and providing normalization to the hospital setting.
Assist Child Life staff in playroom events and activities with patients and siblings. (Location: St. Paul)
Engage and offer special attention to the siblings of patients through activities including painting, drawing, reading, indoor/outdoor games and general play. (Location: Minneapolis)
Assist with our live, in-house TV show that is broadcast throughout the hospital. Advertise the show of the day by handing out flyers to patients, assisting behind the scenes during live shows, and helping deliver prizes to patients. (Location: Minneapolis only)
For common questions about volunteering at Children’s Minnesota, visit our FAQ page.
Apply to volunteer
If you are eligible to volunteer and are able to comply with the immunization requirements, complete an application:
After you apply
- Submit your immunization records: Send your immunization records to volunteer services via email: [email protected] or fax: 612-813-6147.
Download immunization requirements here. - Submit signed parent/guardian release form to [email protected] or fax to 612-813-6147.
- Once we have all your needed documents, you will be placed on the summer waiting list and we will reach out to you when a position opens that fits your availability and interests. You will not be placed on the list until we have your application, immunizations and signed parent/guardian release form.
- Please contact us if you have any other questions. You can contact Volunteer Services by phone or email:
Minneapolis: 612-813-6200
St. Paul: 651-220-6141
Email us: [email protected]
