Teen volunteering in Bay Area
Volunteer Opportunities for Teens in the Bay Area
62 volunteer and youth programs for middle and high school students across San Francisco, the Peninsula, the South Bay, and the East Bay, including 18 hospital programs, 11 zoo and aquarium programs, 10 museum programs, 9 library programs. 20 take students under 16.
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- Opportunities
- 62
- Not paused or waitlisted
- 55
- application availability varies
- Minimum age under 16
- 20
- excludes paused and waitlisted
- Summer only
- 13
- others run longer or do not say
- Alameda County Community Food Bank Warehouse Volunteer
Volunteering · Oakland, CA
- Who can join
- 10 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Bay Area Discovery Museum Volunteer Program (ages 15+)
Volunteering · Sausalito, CA
- Who can join
- 15 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Internship · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 9 to 12
- When to apply
- Applications closed; check back in February 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Chabot Space & Science Center Galaxy Explorers
Volunteering · Oakland, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 10 to 12
- When to apply
- Applications open February 1 to March 31 each year; decisions in early May (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- City and County of San Francisco San Francisco Youth Commission
Club or organization · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 12 to 23
- When to apply
- Annual application and interview process run by Youth Commission staff (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- East Bay SPCA Shelter Scouts: Animal Welfare Advocates
Volunteering · Oakland, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 12 to 17
- When to apply
- Year-round
- East Bay SPCA Shelter Scouts: Rover Recruits
Volunteering · Oakland, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 12 to 17
- When to apply
- Year-round
- East Bay SPCA Youth Volunteer (ages 16-17)
Volunteering · Oakland, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 16 to 17
- When to apply
- Year-round
- El Camino Health Junior Auxiliary Program
Volunteering · Mountain View, CA
- Who can join
- 14 and up
- When to apply
- Annual application seminar; check back mid-January 2027 to register for the next seminar (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Exploratorium High School Explainer Program
Internship · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 15 to 18
- When to apply
- School-year applications typically available in July; summer applications typically in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy I-YEL: Inspiring Young Emerging Leaders
Club or organization · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Applications for the 2026-2027 cohort were due Friday, October 2 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy LINC Summer High School Programs
Summer program · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Summer 2026 applications were due Sunday, March 15, 11:59 pm (past window; confirm next cycle)
- Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Urban Trailblazers
Summer program · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Applications for Summer 2026 open; interviews April 11 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Grassroots Ecology Youth Stewards
Volunteering · Palo Alto, CA
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Summer 2026 enrollment closed; check back spring 2027 (spring session info in winter) (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Happy Hollow Park & Zoo ZooTeen
Volunteering · San Jose, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 14 to 17
- When to apply
- Applications accepted year-round; files reviewed mid-summer. 2027 season applicants contacted end of summer 2027. (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Hidden Villa Weekend Ambassador
Volunteering · Los Altos Hills, CA
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Humane Society Silicon Valley Student Opportunities
Volunteering · Milpitas, CA
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Year-round
- John Muir Health Walnut Creek Medical Center High School Student Volunteering
Volunteering · Walnut Creek, CA
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Kaiser Permanente Redwood City and San Mateo Student Volunteers
Volunteering · Redwood City, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 16 to 17
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco Medical Center Student Volunteers
Volunteering · South San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 16 to 17
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford Teen Volunteer Program
Volunteering · Palo Alto, CA
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Monthly online orientations, which fill quickly (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Teen Conservation Leaders
Volunteering · Monterey, CA
- Who can join
- 14 and up
- When to apply
- Applications closed for 2026; interviews were in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Oakland Public Library Oakland Youth Poet Laureate Program
Competition · Oakland, CA
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Varies
- Oakland Public Library Teen Volunteers and Teen Advisory Boards
Volunteering · Oakland, CA
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Oakland Zoo Teen Summer Internships
Internship · Oakland, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 11 to 12
- When to apply
- Applications closed for Summer 2026; info meetings were held in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Oakland Zoo Teen Wild Guides
Volunteering · Oakland, CA
- Who can join
- 13 and up
- When to apply
- Application open year-round; Fall 2026 applications were due September 1 (past window; confirm next cycle)
- Oakland Zoo ZooCamp Teen Assistants and Interns
Volunteering · Oakland, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 9 to 12
- When to apply
- Summer 2026 applications were open February 1 to April 1; check back for Summer 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Palo Alto City Library Teen Library Advisory Board (TLAB)
Club or organization · Palo Alto, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 8 to 12
- When to apply
- Fall 2026 applications closed; check back in December for Winter/Spring 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Palo Alto Medical Foundation (Sutter Health), Mountain View Center Student Volunteer (Volunteer On Demand Program)
Volunteering · Mountain View, CA
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Palo Alto Medical Foundation (Sutter Health), Palo Alto Center Student Volunteer (Volunteer On Demand Program)
Volunteering · Palo Alto, CA
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Palo Alto Medical Foundation (Sutter Health), San Carlos Center Student Volunteer (Volunteer On Demand Program)
Volunteering · San Carlos, CA
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Palo Alto Medical Foundation (Sutter Health), Sunnyvale Center Student Volunteer (Volunteer On Demand Program)
Volunteering · Sunnyvale, CA
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA Junior Volunteers
Volunteering · Burlingame, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 13 to 17
- When to apply
- Year-round
- San Francisco Public Library FOG Readers Volunteer Tutor
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- 15 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- San Francisco Public Library School Year Youth Volunteers
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- School year
- San Francisco Public Library Youth Advisory Board (YAB)
Internship · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 16 to 18
- When to apply
- Applications for 2026-27 closed September 14 (past window; confirm next cycle)
- San Francisco Public Library Youth Engaged in Library Leadership (YELL)
Internship · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 15 to 19
- When to apply
- Applications open annually in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- San Francisco Zoo & Gardens ARC Junior Zoologist
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 15 to 17
- When to apply
- Not posted
- San Francisco Zoo & Gardens ARC Nature Trail Volunteer
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 12 to 14
- When to apply
- Applications for 2027 open in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- San Francisco Zoo & Gardens Leadership Fellows
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 10 to 12
- When to apply
- Summer
- San Francisco-Marin Food Bank Warehouse Volunteer
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- 10 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- San Jose Public Library Teens Reach
Club or organization · San Jose, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 13 to 18
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Santa Clara County Library District Homework Help Tutor
Volunteering · CA
- Who can join
- 14 and up
- When to apply
- School year
- Second Harvest of Silicon Valley Volunteer Program (ages 12+)
Volunteering · San Jose, CA
- Who can join
- 12 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley Stanford Tri-Valley Clinical Academy
Summer program · Pleasanton, CA
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- February 1, 2027
- Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley Volunteer Program
Volunteering · Pleasanton, CA
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Stanford Health Care Volunteer Program
Volunteering · Stanford, CA
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Sutter California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) Junior Volunteers (ages 16+)
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Sutter Eden Medical Center Auxiliary Volunteer (ages 16+)
Volunteering · Castro Valley, CA
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Sutter Mills-Peninsula Medical Center Youth Volunteer Program
Volunteering · Burlingame, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 16 to 17
- When to apply
- Applications open for two weeks twice a year: May 1-15 and November 1-15 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Internship Program
Internship · Berkeley, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 11 to 12
- When to apply
- Applications opened December 17, 2025 and closed January 15, 2026 (past window; confirm next cycle)
- The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Research Programs
Summer program · Berkeley, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 7 to 12
- When to apply
- Registration for Summer 2026 closed; check back in late fall for Summer 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- The Marine Mammal Center Youth Crew
Volunteering · Sausalito, CA
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Online application is available for two months (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- The Tech Interactive Teen Volunteer Program: Holiday Helpers
Volunteering · San Jose, CA
- Who can join
- 14 and up
- When to apply
- Orientations November 14, November 21, or December 5, 2026 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- UCSF Summer Student Research Program (SSRP)
Research · CA
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- 2026 cycle closed; 2027 information to be posted later (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Aquarium of the Bay Education Summer Docent VolunteerPaused
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- Check back December 1 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Aquarium of the Bay Teen Volunteers (SEA Team)Paused
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 14 to 15
- When to apply
- Check back December 1 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- California Academy of Sciences Academy Naturalist Teen (ANT) VolunteerPaused
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Not posted
- Computer History Museum Teen Volunteer InternsPaused
Volunteering · Mountain View, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 9 to 12
- When to apply
- Not posted
- John Muir Health Concord Medical Center High School Student VolunteeringPaused
Volunteering · Concord, CA
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Check back in March 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen VolunteersPaused
Volunteering · Berkeley, CA
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Not posted
- Washington Hospital (Washington Health) High School Volunteer ProgramWaitlist
Volunteering · Fremont, CA
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- Waiting list closed; next round of high school volunteers in Fall 2026 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
| Opportunity | Where | Who can join | Commitment | When to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda County Community Food Bank Warehouse VolunteerVolunteering · Food bank or community service | Oakland, CA | 10 and up | Not posted | Year-round |
| Bay Area Discovery Museum Volunteer Program (ages 15+)Volunteering · Museum or science center | Sausalito, CA | 15 and up | At least a 3-hour commitment; regular, seasonal, or one-time shifts | Year-round |
| California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Intern ProgramInternship · Museum or science center | San Francisco, CA | Grades 9 to 12 | 2 or 3 years through high school graduation; after school and Saturdays during the school year, weekdays in summer | Applications closed; check back in February 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Chabot Space & Science Center Galaxy ExplorersVolunteering · Museum or science center | Oakland, CA | Grades 10 to 12 | 2 floor shifts per month in the school year, 3 per month in summer, plus Inquiry Teams that meet 7 times per semester | Applications open February 1 to March 31 each year; decisions in early May (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| City and County of San Francisco San Francisco Youth CommissionClub or organization · Government or courts | San Francisco, CA | Ages 12 to 23 | 1-year term, historically beginning in August | Annual application and interview process run by Youth Commission staff (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| East Bay SPCA Shelter Scouts: Animal Welfare AdvocatesVolunteering · Animal shelter or rescue | Oakland, CA | Ages 12 to 17 | 4-week sessions, Saturdays or Sundays, 2 hours per week | Year-round |
| East Bay SPCA Shelter Scouts: Rover RecruitsVolunteering · Animal shelter or rescue | Oakland, CA | Ages 12 to 17 | 3-week sessions, Saturdays or Sundays, 2 hours per week | Year-round |
| East Bay SPCA Youth Volunteer (ages 16-17)Volunteering · Animal shelter or rescue | Oakland, CA | Ages 16 to 17 | Minimum 6 months / 50 hours of service | Year-round |
| El Camino Health Junior Auxiliary ProgramVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Mountain View, CA | 14 and up | At least one year; no summer-only programs | Annual application seminar; check back mid-January 2027 to register for the next seminar (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Exploratorium High School Explainer ProgramInternship · Museum or science center | San Francisco, CA | Ages 15 to 18 | Entire school-year or summer session; more than 60 hours of training | School-year applications typically available in July; summer applications typically in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy I-YEL: Inspiring Young Emerging LeadersClub or organization · Parks and environment | San Francisco, CA | Not posted | School year, October to May | Applications for the 2026-2027 cohort were due Friday, October 2 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy LINC Summer High School ProgramsSummer program · Parks and environment | San Francisco, CA | Not posted | SEJI: 3 weeks; SOL: 6 weeks; must attend all program dates | Summer 2026 applications were due Sunday, March 15, 11:59 pm (past window; confirm next cycle) |
| Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Urban TrailblazersSummer program · Parks and environment | San Francisco, CA | Not posted | Six weeks, June 16 to July 31, 2026, Tuesday-Friday 9:30 am-3 pm, with camping trips | Applications for Summer 2026 open; interviews April 11 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Grassroots Ecology Youth StewardsVolunteering · Parks and environment | Palo Alto, CA | Not posted | Summer 2026: Wednesdays 9 am-12 pm, June 10 to July 29; attendance at every session not required | Summer 2026 enrollment closed; check back spring 2027 (spring session info in winter) (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Happy Hollow Park & Zoo ZooTeenVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium | San Jose, CA | Ages 14 to 17 | Minimum 48 hours a year or 4 hours per month | Applications accepted year-round; files reviewed mid-summer. 2027 season applicants contacted end of summer 2027. (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Hidden Villa Weekend AmbassadorVolunteering · Parks and environment | Los Altos Hills, CA | 16 and up | 1-2 shifts monthly | Year-round |
| Humane Society Silicon Valley Student OpportunitiesVolunteering · Animal shelter or rescue | Milpitas, CA | Not posted | Not posted | Year-round |
| John Muir Health Walnut Creek Medical Center High School Student VolunteeringVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Walnut Creek, CA | Not posted | One 3-hour shift per week, year-round, through the end of senior year | Year-round |
| Kaiser Permanente Redwood City and San Mateo Student VolunteersVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Redwood City, CA | Ages 16 to 17 | 4 hours a week for 6 months | Year-round |
| Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco Medical Center Student VolunteersVolunteering · Hospital or health system | South San Francisco, CA | Ages 16 to 17 | A few hours a week for a few months (contact for details) | Year-round |
| Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford Teen Volunteer ProgramVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Palo Alto, CA | Not posted | 6-month commitment (some programs require 1 year), one 2-3 hour shift per week | Monthly online orientations, which fill quickly (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Monterey Bay Aquarium Teen Conservation LeadersVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium | Monterey, CA | 14 and up | Volunteer 3 to 4 days per week; summer program June 8 to August 2, 2026 with mandatory training | Applications closed for 2026; interviews were in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Oakland Public Library Oakland Youth Poet Laureate ProgramCompetition · Library | Oakland, CA | Not posted | Not posted | Varies |
| Oakland Public Library Teen Volunteers and Teen Advisory BoardsVolunteering · Library | Oakland, CA | Not posted | Not posted | Year-round |
| Oakland Zoo Teen Summer InternshipsInternship · Zoo or aquarium | Oakland, CA | Grades 11 to 12 | About 200 hours across 7 weeks, Sunday-Wednesday or Wednesday-Saturday, 9 am-4:30 pm; Summer 2026 ran June 10 to about August 1 | Applications closed for Summer 2026; info meetings were held in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Oakland Zoo Teen Wild GuidesVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium | Oakland, CA | 13 and up | Every other weekend during the school year; once a week in summer | Application open year-round; Fall 2026 applications were due September 1 (past window; confirm next cycle) |
| Oakland Zoo ZooCamp Teen Assistants and InternsVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium | Oakland, CA | Grades 9 to 12 | Varies by role; camp runs in 1-week sessions, June 1 to August 7, 2026 | Summer 2026 applications were open February 1 to April 1; check back for Summer 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Palo Alto City Library Teen Library Advisory Board (TLAB)Club or organization · Library | Palo Alto, CA | Grades 8 to 12 | Not posted | Fall 2026 applications closed; check back in December for Winter/Spring 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Palo Alto Medical Foundation (Sutter Health), Mountain View Center Student Volunteer (Volunteer On Demand Program)Volunteering · Hospital or health system | Mountain View, CA | 16 and up | Six-month commitment; four-hour weekday shifts (8 am-12 pm or 12-4 pm) | Year-round |
| Palo Alto Medical Foundation (Sutter Health), Palo Alto Center Student Volunteer (Volunteer On Demand Program)Volunteering · Hospital or health system | Palo Alto, CA | 16 and up | Weekday shifts 8 am-12 pm or 12-4 pm, no weekend hours | Year-round |
| Palo Alto Medical Foundation (Sutter Health), San Carlos Center Student Volunteer (Volunteer On Demand Program)Volunteering · Hospital or health system | San Carlos, CA | 16 and up | Weekday shifts 8 am-12 pm or 12-4 pm, no weekend hours | Year-round |
| Palo Alto Medical Foundation (Sutter Health), Sunnyvale Center Student Volunteer (Volunteer On Demand Program)Volunteering · Hospital or health system | Sunnyvale, CA | 16 and up | Six-month commitment; four-hour weekday shifts (8 am-12 pm or 12-4 pm) | Year-round |
| Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA Junior VolunteersVolunteering · Animal shelter or rescue | Burlingame, CA | Ages 13 to 17 | 2 hours per week for at least six months | Year-round |
| San Francisco Public Library FOG Readers Volunteer TutorVolunteering · Library | San Francisco, CA | 15 and up | Minimum 6 months, about 1 hour per week plus 1 hour of preparation | Year-round |
| San Francisco Public Library School Year Youth VolunteersVolunteering · Library | San Francisco, CA | Not posted | Not posted | School year |
| San Francisco Public Library Youth Advisory Board (YAB)Internship · Library | San Francisco, CA | Ages 16 to 18 | 10 hours per week, late October through early May | Applications for 2026-27 closed September 14 (past window; confirm next cycle) |
| San Francisco Public Library Youth Engaged in Library Leadership (YELL)Internship · Library | San Francisco, CA | Ages 15 to 19 | 16-20 hours per week, June 15 to August 2 | Applications open annually in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| San Francisco Zoo & Gardens ARC Junior ZoologistVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium | San Francisco, CA | Ages 15 to 17 | Two days per month for six months | Not posted |
| San Francisco Zoo & Gardens ARC Nature Trail VolunteerVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium | San Francisco, CA | Ages 12 to 14 | Minimum seven days per month; seasonal, June to September | Applications for 2027 open in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| San Francisco Zoo & Gardens Leadership FellowsVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium | San Francisco, CA | Grades 10 to 12 | June 15 to August 7, Monday-Friday, 8:15 am-4 pm, in one of three cohorts | Summer |
| San Francisco-Marin Food Bank Warehouse VolunteerVolunteering · Food bank or community service | San Francisco, CA | 10 and up | Not posted | Year-round |
| San Jose Public Library Teens ReachClub or organization · Library | San Jose, CA | Ages 13 to 18 | Regular attendance at meetings and support of library activities | Year-round |
| Santa Clara County Library District Homework Help TutorVolunteering · Library | CA | 14 and up | At least one day Monday through Thursday, 3:30-6:00 pm, for a full semester | School year |
| Second Harvest of Silicon Valley Volunteer Program (ages 12+)Volunteering · Food bank or community service | San Jose, CA | 12 and up | Not posted | Year-round |
| Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley Stanford Tri-Valley Clinical AcademySummer program · Hospital or health system | Pleasanton, CA | 16 and up | Two-week program, July 19 to July 30, 2027 | February 1, 2027 |
| Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley Volunteer ProgramVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Pleasanton, CA | 16 and up | Minimum 6-month commitment and 100 hours of service | Year-round |
| Stanford Health Care Volunteer ProgramVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Stanford, CA | 16 and up | Minimum 6 months, at least one shift per week (1 year minimum for inpatient units) | Year-round |
| Sutter California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) Junior Volunteers (ages 16+)Volunteering · Hospital or health system | San Francisco, CA | 16 and up | Minimum 100 hours in one year, at least three to four hours per week | Year-round |
| Sutter Eden Medical Center Auxiliary Volunteer (ages 16+)Volunteering · Hospital or health system | Castro Valley, CA | 16 and up | Not posted | Year-round |
| Sutter Mills-Peninsula Medical Center Youth Volunteer ProgramVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Burlingame, CA | Ages 16 to 17 | Once per week for 3 to 4 hours, one-year minimum | Applications open for two weeks twice a year: May 1-15 and November 1-15 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Internship ProgramInternship · Museum or science center | Berkeley, CA | Grades 11 to 12 | Saturday workshops in May plus full-time summer placement, Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm, June 1 to August 7, 2026 | Applications opened December 17, 2025 and closed January 15, 2026 (past window; confirm next cycle) |
| The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Research ProgramsSummer program · Museum or science center | Berkeley, CA | Grades 7 to 12 | One-week sessions in June and July 2026; optional residential add-on for some sessions | Registration for Summer 2026 closed; check back in late fall for Summer 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| The Marine Mammal Center Youth CrewVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium | Sausalito, CA | Not posted | 8-month service learning program; all posted dates are mandatory | Online application is available for two months (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| The Tech Interactive Teen Volunteer Program: Holiday HelpersVolunteering · Museum or science center | San Jose, CA | 14 and up | At least six shifts of 3-4 hours across November 21-29 and December 19 to January 3; one 3.5-hour orientation | Orientations November 14, November 21, or December 5, 2026 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| UCSF Summer Student Research Program (SSRP)Research · Hospital or health system | CA | 16 and up | 7 weeks, June 15 to July 31, 2026, in person | 2026 cycle closed; 2027 information to be posted later (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Aquarium of the Bay Education Summer Docent VolunteerPausedVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium | San Francisco, CA | 16 and up | Minimum 6 months; volunteer orientation required | Check back December 1 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Aquarium of the Bay Teen Volunteers (SEA Team)PausedVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium | San Francisco, CA | Ages 14 to 15 | Minimum 6 months; volunteer orientation required | Check back December 1 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| California Academy of Sciences Academy Naturalist Teen (ANT) VolunteerPausedVolunteering · Museum or science center | San Francisco, CA | Not posted | Not posted | Not posted |
| Computer History Museum Teen Volunteer InternsPausedVolunteering · Museum or science center | Mountain View, CA | Grades 9 to 12 | Not posted | Not posted |
| John Muir Health Concord Medical Center High School Student VolunteeringPausedVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Concord, CA | Not posted | Not posted | Check back in March 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen VolunteersPausedVolunteering · Museum or science center | Berkeley, CA | Not posted | Not posted | Not posted |
| Washington Hospital (Washington Health) High School Volunteer ProgramWaitlistVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Fremont, CA | 16 and up | Random Staffing program: sign up for dates and times that fit your schedule | Waiting list closed; next round of high school volunteers in Fall 2026 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
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In the Bay Area
- Pre-Med (18)
- Nursing and Health (18)
- Pre-Vet and Animal Science (12)
- Biology and Environmental Science (24)
- Engineering and Computer Science (7)
- Law and Government (3)
- Education (27)
- Arts and Humanities (8)
- Psychology and Social Work (6)
- Hospital (18)
- Zoo and Aquarium (11)
- Museum (10)
- Library (9)
- Animal Shelter (5)
- Parks and Environment (5)
- Community Service (3)
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to volunteer in the Bay Area?
It depends on the organization. Hospital programs here that post a minimum age set it between 14 and 16. Each program page shows the rule the organization posts.
When should my teen apply?
Many hospital and museum programs take applications once or twice a year, and summer spots fill first. Check each window in the table and apply as soon as it opens.
Sources and method
Each opportunity was read from the organization's own page. A rule, date, or fee the page does not state is left blank. Last checked 2026-10-13. Programs change age rules, hours, and application windows, so confirm on the official page before applying. Dewey Smart is not affiliated with these organizations.
Suggested attribution: Dewey Smart. “Volunteer Opportunities for Teens in the Bay Area”. https://www.deweysmart.com/opportunities/in/bay-area.
When quoting a figure, include its data year and population, and retain its source link. Reuse terms.
