Teen volunteering in New York City
Volunteer Opportunities for Teens in New York City
57 volunteer and youth programs for middle and high school students across the five boroughs, Long Island, Westchester, and northern New Jersey, including 31 hospital programs, 8 museum programs, 3 library programs, 4 animal shelter programs. 20 take students under 16.
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- Opportunities
- 57
- Not paused or waitlisted
- 52
- application availability varies
- Minimum age under 16
- 20
- excludes paused and waitlisted
- Summer only
- 23
- others run longer or do not say
- ASPCA Adoption Center Youth Volunteers (ages 16-17)
Volunteering · New York, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 16 to 17
- When to apply
- Not posted
- Bideawee Summer Teen Group
Volunteering · Westhampton, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 13 to 17
- When to apply
- Summer
- Bideawee Teen Volunteers
Volunteering · New York, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 13 to 17
- When to apply
- Not posted
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden Garden Apprentice Program (GAP)
Internship · Brooklyn, NY
- Who can join
- Grades 9 to 11
- When to apply
- December 4, 2026
- Brooklyn Public Library BKLYN BookMatch Teen
Volunteering · Brooklyn, NY
- Who can join
- Grades 9 to 12
- When to apply
- September 14 (date unconfirmed; check official page)
- Brooklyn Public Library Book Buddy
Volunteering · Brooklyn, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 12 to 18
- When to apply
- Year-round
- City Harvest Volunteer Projects (ages 14+)
Volunteering · New York, NY
- Who can join
- 14 and up
- When to apply
- Not posted
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Partners for the Future
Research · Cold Spring Harbor, NY
- Who can join
- Grade 12
- When to apply
- School year
- Glen Cove Hospital (Northwell Health) Junior Volunteer Program
Volunteering · Glen Cove, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 16 to 18
- When to apply
- Not posted
- God's Love We Deliver Meal Kit Assembly and Kitchen Volunteering
Volunteering · New York, NY
- Who can join
- 13 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Hackensack Meridian Health Junior Volunteer Program
Volunteering · NJ
- Who can join
- Ages 16 to 17
- When to apply
- Not posted
- Holy Name Medical Center Junior Volunteer Program
Volunteering · Teaneck, NJ
- Who can join
- Ages 16 to 18
- When to apply
- November 10, 2026
- Liberty Science Center Teen Summer Docent Program
Summer program · Jersey City, NJ
- Who can join
- Grades 10 to 12
- When to apply
- Summer
- Liberty Science Center Youth Volunteering
Volunteering · Jersey City, NJ
- Who can join
- Ages 16 to 18
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Long Island Jewish Medical Center (Northwell Health) Summer Junior Volunteer Program
Summer program · New Hyde Park, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 14 to 17
- When to apply
- Applications accepted February 1 to February 15; medical clearance due by May 15 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Long Island Jewish Valley Stream (Northwell Health) Junior Volunteers Program
Summer program · Valley Stream, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 16 to 17
- When to apply
- April 1 (date unconfirmed; check official page)
- Long Island Science Center Student Volunteers
Volunteering · Riverhead, NY
- Who can join
- 11 and up
- When to apply
- Not posted
- Maimonides Medical Center Health Scholars Program
Shadowing or clinical exposure · Brooklyn, NY
- Who can join
- Grades 11 to 12
- When to apply
- Block 1 (Dec 11-Mar 10) due October 31; Block 2 (Mar 11-May 31) due February 1; Block 3 (Jun 1-Sep 2) due April 30 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Maimonides Medical Center Science Scholars Program
Summer program · Brooklyn, NY
- Who can join
- Grade 12
- When to apply
- March 26, 2026 (past deadline; confirm next cycle)
- Mather Hospital (Northwell Health) Junior Volunteer summer placements
Volunteering · Port Jefferson, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 15 to 18
- When to apply
- Summer
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student Program
Research · New York, NY
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- February 5, 2027
- Montefiore Einstein Summer Volunteer - High School
Summer program · Bronx, NY
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- January 1 - May 31 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Mount Sinai Brooklyn Volunteer Program (high school volunteers)
Volunteering · Brooklyn, NY
- Who can join
- 15 and up
- When to apply
- Not posted
- Mount Sinai Health System High School Nursing Pathway Program
Summer program · New York, NY
- Who can join
- 14 and up
- When to apply
- Applications typically open in late January and remain available through mid-March; the 2026 cycle is closed (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Mount Sinai Morningside Junior Medical Program (JuMP)
Summer program · New York, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 15 to 17
- When to apply
- Applications accepted January 1 to March 1 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Mount Sinai Morningside Unit Support Volunteers
Volunteering · New York, NY
- Who can join
- 15 and up
- When to apply
- Rolling; applications reviewed monthly (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Mount Sinai Queens High School Student Volunteer Program
Volunteering · Astoria, NY
- Who can join
- 15 and up
- When to apply
- Email volunteerinqueens@mountsinai.org to schedule an interview; registration takes 4-6 weeks after the interview (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Mount Sinai Queens Summer Youth Health Volunteer Program
Summer program · Astoria, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 16 to 24
- When to apply
- Applications must be submitted to HANAC by March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Mount Sinai South Nassau Junior Volunteer Program
Volunteering · Oceanside, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 15 to 17
- When to apply
- Applications for the Junior Summer Program are closed and will reopen in the fall, or later depending on hospital needs (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Mount Sinai West Junior Medical Program (JuMP)
Summer program · New York, NY
- Who can join
- 15 and up
- When to apply
- Applications accepted January 1 to March 1 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- New York Botanical Garden Explainer Program
Volunteering · Bronx, NY
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- November 14, 2026
- Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (RWJBarnabas Health) Junior Volunteer Program
Volunteering · Newark, NJ
- Who can join
- Ages 14 to 17
- When to apply
- Request an application from Denise Clark (973-926-6771) (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- NewYork-Presbyterian Lang Youth Medical Program
Club or organization · New York, NY
- Who can join
- Grade 6
- When to apply
- Year-round
- NewYork-Presbyterian Summer Volunteering
Summer program · New York, NY
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- Applications accepted January 1 to March 31 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- North Shore Animal League America VolunTEEN Program
Volunteering · Port Washington, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 16 to 17
- When to apply
- Recruits twice a year for Fall/Winter (September-January) and Spring/Summer (April-August) (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- North Shore University Hospital (Northwell Health) Junior Volunteer Program
Volunteering · Manhasset, NY
- Who can join
- 15 and up
- When to apply
- Fall enrollment September 1-7; summer enrollment April 1-7; applications accepted online only during these dates (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- NYC Department of Youth and Community Development NYC Ladders for Leaders
Internship · New York, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 16 to 24
- When to apply
- January 16, 2026 (past deadline; confirm next cycle)
- NYU Langone Health (Manhattan) Summer Volunteer Program
Summer program · New York, NY
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- Opens annually January 15 through February 15, or once capacity is reached (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- NYU Langone Hospital - Long Island Summer Volunteer Program
Summer program · Mineola, NY
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- March 30 (date unconfirmed; check official page)
- Phelps Hospital (Northwell Health) Summer Immersion Program
Summer program · Sleepy Hollow, NY
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- April 1, 2027
- Prospect Park Alliance Park Youth Representatives
Internship · Brooklyn, NY
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- 2026 applications closed; check back in early 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Prospect Park Alliance Woodlands Youth Crew
Internship · Brooklyn, NY
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- 2026 applications closed; check back in early 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Queens Public Library Teen Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering · Queens, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 14 to 17
- When to apply
- Year-round; approval and placement can take up to 30 days (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Staten Island University Hospital (Northwell Health) Junior Volunteers
Volunteering · Staten Island, NY
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- The summer application period closed on June 1 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- The Bronx Museum of the Arts Teen Council
Club or organization · Bronx, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 14 to 19
- When to apply
- Fall 2026 applications open through October 4, 2026 (past window; confirm next cycle)
- The Jewish Museum Teen Internship Program
Internship · New York, NY
- Who can join
- Grades 9 to 12
- When to apply
- March 23, 2026 (page also cites March 16, 2026 for materials) (past deadline; confirm next cycle)
- Wave Hill Forest Project
Internship · Bronx, NY
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- 2026 applications closed; check back next winter for 2027; separate SYEP application required (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- White Plains Hospital Junior Volunteer Program
Volunteering · White Plains, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 16 to 17
- When to apply
- Rolling for year-round volunteers; summer-only juniors apply by April 15 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Whitney Museum of American Art Youth Insights (YI) Artists
Club or organization · New York, NY
- Who can join
- Grades 9 to 12
- When to apply
- September 9, 2026 (past deadline; confirm next cycle)
- Whitney Museum of American Art Youth Insights (YI) Arts Careers
Summer program · New York, NY
- Who can join
- Grades 10 to 12
- When to apply
- Summer
- Wildlife Conservation Society and Fordham University Project TRUE
Research · Bronx, NY
- Who can join
- Grades 10 to 11
- When to apply
- Summer
- Wildlife Conservation Society Discovery Guide Volunteer Program
Volunteering · Bronx, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 14 to 22
- When to apply
- Applications for the next cycle open in late December for Spring 2027; an interest form is available now (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Brooklyn Children's Museum Teen Curators ProgramPaused
Internship · Brooklyn, NY
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Last cycle: applications opened February 10 and closed February 21 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (RWJBarnabas Health) Teen VolunteersWaitlist
Volunteering · Livingston, NJ
- Who can join
- 15 and up
- When to apply
- Call 973-322-5592 to request a brief phone discussion; qualified students are placed on a waiting list (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Englewood Health High School Volunteer ProgramPaused
Volunteering · Englewood, NJ
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- Fall applications in August; spring applications in December; summer applications in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Huntington Hospital (Northwell Health) Patient Unit Volunteer Program (ages 14-17)Paused
Volunteering · Huntington, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 14 to 17
- When to apply
- Summer applications accepted March through April (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Stony Brook University Hospital Junior VolunteersPaused
Volunteering · Stony Brook, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 14 to 17
- When to apply
- Not posted
| Opportunity | Where | Who can join | Commitment | When to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASPCA Adoption Center Youth Volunteers (ages 16-17)Volunteering · Animal shelter or rescue | New York, NY | Ages 16 to 17 | Not posted | Not posted |
| Bideawee Summer Teen GroupVolunteering · Animal shelter or rescue | Westhampton, NY | Ages 13 to 17 | Select Fridays in summer for a couple of hours | Summer |
| Bideawee Teen VolunteersVolunteering · Animal shelter or rescue | New York, NY | Ages 13 to 17 | Not posted | Not posted |
| Brooklyn Botanic Garden Garden Apprentice Program (GAP)Internship · Parks and environment | Brooklyn, NY | Grades 9 to 11 | March to November; 4-6 hours weekly in spring and fall, 20-25 hours weekly in summer (about 190-220 hours) | December 4, 2026 |
| Brooklyn Public Library BKLYN BookMatch TeenVolunteering · Library | Brooklyn, NY | Grades 9 to 12 | Eight weekly Wednesday trainings in November and December, then 2-3 times a month through early June | September 14 (date unconfirmed; check official page) |
| Brooklyn Public Library Book BuddyVolunteering · Library | Brooklyn, NY | Ages 12 to 18 | School year: 2-3 hours a day, up to three days a week, for at least three months. Summer (July and August only): 1-3 days a week, 2-3 hours a day, for at least three weeks | Year-round |
| City Harvest Volunteer Projects (ages 14+)Volunteering · Food bank or community service | New York, NY | 14 and up | Not posted | Not posted |
| Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Partners for the FutureResearch · University lab | Cold Spring Harbor, NY | Grade 12 | Minimum 10 hours per week, September through March of senior year | School year |
| Glen Cove Hospital (Northwell Health) Junior Volunteer ProgramVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Glen Cove, NY | Ages 16 to 18 | Not posted | Not posted |
| God's Love We Deliver Meal Kit Assembly and Kitchen VolunteeringVolunteering · Food bank or community service | New York, NY | 13 and up | One-time or ongoing shifts | Year-round |
| Hackensack Meridian Health Junior Volunteer ProgramVolunteering · Hospital or health system | NJ | Ages 16 to 17 | Minimum four hours per week and at least 80 hours per year | Not posted |
| Holy Name Medical Center Junior Volunteer ProgramVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Teaneck, NJ | Ages 16 to 18 | Six months and 75 hours; 2-hour weekday shifts during school, 4-hour shifts in summer and on weekends | November 10, 2026 |
| Liberty Science Center Teen Summer Docent ProgramSummer program · Museum or science center | Jersey City, NJ | Grades 10 to 12 | Not posted | Summer |
| Liberty Science Center Youth VolunteeringVolunteering · Museum or science center | Jersey City, NJ | Ages 16 to 18 | At least one full day every week for a minimum of 6 months, then at least every other week | Year-round |
| Long Island Jewish Medical Center (Northwell Health) Summer Junior Volunteer ProgramSummer program · Hospital or health system | New Hyde Park, NY | Ages 14 to 17 | Minimum 50 hours; four shifts per week (Monday-Thursday, 9am-1pm) for four consecutive weeks in July | Applications accepted February 1 to February 15; medical clearance due by May 15 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Long Island Jewish Valley Stream (Northwell Health) Junior Volunteers ProgramSummer program · Hospital or health system | Valley Stream, NY | Ages 16 to 17 | 100-hour commitment per calendar year; July and August | April 1 (date unconfirmed; check official page) |
| Long Island Science Center Student VolunteersVolunteering · Museum or science center | Riverhead, NY | 11 and up | Not posted | Not posted |
| Maimonides Medical Center Health Scholars ProgramShadowing or clinical exposure · Hospital or health system | Brooklyn, NY | Grades 11 to 12 | Unpaid internship in one of three rotation blocks | Block 1 (Dec 11-Mar 10) due October 31; Block 2 (Mar 11-May 31) due February 1; Block 3 (Jun 1-Sep 2) due April 30 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Maimonides Medical Center Science Scholars ProgramSummer program · Hospital or health system | Brooklyn, NY | Grade 12 | Full time, Monday to Friday, July 6 to July 31, 2026; no vacation or summer classes allowed | March 26, 2026 (past deadline; confirm next cycle) |
| Mather Hospital (Northwell Health) Junior Volunteer summer placementsVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Port Jefferson, NY | Ages 15 to 18 | Not posted | Summer |
| Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student ProgramResearch · Hospital or health system | New York, NY | 16 and up | 8 weeks, June 29 to August 20, 2027 | February 5, 2027 |
| Montefiore Einstein Summer Volunteer - High SchoolSummer program · Hospital or health system | Bronx, NY | 16 and up | Minimum 100 hours; each session at least three to four hours; June to September | January 1 - May 31 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Mount Sinai Brooklyn Volunteer Program (high school volunteers)Volunteering · Hospital or health system | Brooklyn, NY | 15 and up | Not posted | Not posted |
| Mount Sinai Health System High School Nursing Pathway ProgramSummer program · Hospital or health system | New York, NY | 14 and up | 150 hours over six weeks, early July to the second week of August | Applications typically open in late January and remain available through mid-March; the 2026 cycle is closed (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Mount Sinai Morningside Junior Medical Program (JuMP)Summer program · Hospital or health system | New York, NY | Ages 15 to 17 | 100 hours over 6 weeks; must be available for all six weeks | Applications accepted January 1 to March 1 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Mount Sinai Morningside Unit Support VolunteersVolunteering · Hospital or health system | New York, NY | 15 and up | 150 hours minimum; one consecutive 3-hour shift per week | Rolling; applications reviewed monthly (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Mount Sinai Queens High School Student Volunteer ProgramVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Astoria, NY | 15 and up | At least four hours per week for at least one semester | Email volunteerinqueens@mountsinai.org to schedule an interview; registration takes 4-6 weeks after the interview (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Mount Sinai Queens Summer Youth Health Volunteer ProgramSummer program · Hospital or health system | Astoria, NY | Ages 16 to 24 | Six weeks in July and August | Applications must be submitted to HANAC by March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Mount Sinai South Nassau Junior Volunteer ProgramVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Oceanside, NY | Ages 15 to 17 | After school or during spring and summer breaks | Applications for the Junior Summer Program are closed and will reopen in the fall, or later depending on hospital needs (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Mount Sinai West Junior Medical Program (JuMP)Summer program · Hospital or health system | New York, NY | 15 and up | 100 hours over a 6-week program; must be fully available for all 6 weeks | Applications accepted January 1 to March 1 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| New York Botanical Garden Explainer ProgramVolunteering · Parks and environment | Bronx, NY | Not posted | Four training days plus a 4.5-hour shift every Saturday or Sunday, March 20 through June 19, 2027; minimum 125 hours | November 14, 2026 |
| Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (RWJBarnabas Health) Junior Volunteer ProgramVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Newark, NJ | Ages 14 to 17 | Not posted | Request an application from Denise Clark (973-926-6771) (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| NewYork-Presbyterian Lang Youth Medical ProgramClub or organization · Hospital or health system | New York, NY | Grade 6 | Six-year commitment, 7th grade through 12th grade | Year-round |
| NewYork-Presbyterian Summer VolunteeringSummer program · Hospital or health system | New York, NY | 16 and up | Minimum 120 service hours over the 10-12 week summer | Applications accepted January 1 to March 31 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| North Shore Animal League America VolunTEEN ProgramVolunteering · Animal shelter or rescue | Port Washington, NY | Ages 16 to 17 | Minimum of 2-4 hours a week for at least 20 weeks | Recruits twice a year for Fall/Winter (September-January) and Spring/Summer (April-August) (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| North Shore University Hospital (Northwell Health) Junior Volunteer ProgramVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Manhasset, NY | 15 and up | Minimum 100 hours in the first year; no summer-only placements | Fall enrollment September 1-7; summer enrollment April 1-7; applications accepted online only during these dates (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| NYC Department of Youth and Community Development NYC Ladders for LeadersInternship · Government or courts | New York, NY | Ages 16 to 24 | Paid summer internship with 30 hours of pre-employment training | January 16, 2026 (past deadline; confirm next cycle) |
| NYU Langone Health (Manhattan) Summer Volunteer ProgramSummer program · Hospital or health system | New York, NY | 16 and up | Two 6-hour shifts per week over 8 weeks (100 service hours) | Opens annually January 15 through February 15, or once capacity is reached (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| NYU Langone Hospital - Long Island Summer Volunteer ProgramSummer program · Hospital or health system | Mineola, NY | 16 and up | Minimum 24 hours over 8 weeks; one consistent 3-hour shift per week | March 30 (date unconfirmed; check official page) |
| Phelps Hospital (Northwell Health) Summer Immersion ProgramSummer program · Hospital or health system | Sleepy Hollow, NY | 16 and up | Consistent availability throughout July and August | April 1, 2027 |
| Prospect Park Alliance Park Youth RepresentativesInternship · Parks and environment | Brooklyn, NY | Not posted | Not posted | 2026 applications closed; check back in early 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Prospect Park Alliance Woodlands Youth CrewInternship · Parks and environment | Brooklyn, NY | Not posted | Not posted | 2026 applications closed; check back in early 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Queens Public Library Teen Volunteer OpportunitiesVolunteering · Library | Queens, NY | Ages 14 to 17 | Hours limited by state law (14-15: up to 18 hours a school week; 16-17: up to 28 hours a school week) | Year-round; approval and placement can take up to 30 days (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Staten Island University Hospital (Northwell Health) Junior VolunteersVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Staten Island, NY | Not posted | Minimum 100 hours of service, at least four hours per week | The summer application period closed on June 1 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| The Bronx Museum of the Arts Teen CouncilClub or organization · Museum or science center | Bronx, NY | Ages 14 to 19 | Twice a week after school; fall and spring four-month sessions | Fall 2026 applications open through October 4, 2026 (past window; confirm next cycle) |
| The Jewish Museum Teen Internship ProgramInternship · Museum or science center | New York, NY | Grades 9 to 12 | Training in spring 2026, internship during the 2026-27 school year | March 23, 2026 (page also cites March 16, 2026 for materials) (past deadline; confirm next cycle) |
| Wave Hill Forest ProjectInternship · Parks and environment | Bronx, NY | 16 and up | Full summer program | 2026 applications closed; check back next winter for 2027; separate SYEP application required (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| White Plains Hospital Junior Volunteer ProgramVolunteering · Hospital or health system | White Plains, NY | Ages 16 to 17 | Minimum 70 hours per year | Rolling for year-round volunteers; summer-only juniors apply by April 15 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Whitney Museum of American Art Youth Insights (YI) ArtistsClub or organization · Museum or science center | New York, NY | Grades 9 to 12 | Semester-long after-school program | September 9, 2026 (past deadline; confirm next cycle) |
| Whitney Museum of American Art Youth Insights (YI) Arts CareersSummer program · Museum or science center | New York, NY | Grades 10 to 12 | Not posted | Summer |
| Wildlife Conservation Society and Fordham University Project TRUEResearch · Zoo or aquarium | Bronx, NY | Grades 10 to 11 | Summer (June-August) plus Saturdays September-December | Summer |
| Wildlife Conservation Society Discovery Guide Volunteer ProgramVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium | Bronx, NY | Ages 14 to 22 | Typically a spring and a summer session | Applications for the next cycle open in late December for Spring 2027; an interest form is available now (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Brooklyn Children's Museum Teen Curators ProgramPausedInternship · Museum or science center | Brooklyn, NY | Not posted | Most recent session ran April 7 to June 15, 2025, meeting Mondays and Wednesdays 4:30-6:30 pm plus two hours of remote work weekly | Last cycle: applications opened February 10 and closed February 21 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (RWJBarnabas Health) Teen VolunteersWaitlistVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Livingston, NJ | 15 and up | At least once per week for one year or longer | Call 973-322-5592 to request a brief phone discussion; qualified students are placed on a waiting list (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Englewood Health High School Volunteer ProgramPausedVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Englewood, NJ | 16 and up | 2 hours weekly during the school year; one 3.5-hour weekday shift per week in summer | Fall applications in August; spring applications in December; summer applications in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Huntington Hospital (Northwell Health) Patient Unit Volunteer Program (ages 14-17)PausedVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Huntington, NY | Ages 14 to 17 | 100-hour commitment per calendar year; two 4-hour shifts weekly | Summer applications accepted March through April (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Stony Brook University Hospital Junior VolunteersPausedVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Stony Brook, NY | Ages 14 to 17 | Not posted | Not posted |
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Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to volunteer in New York City?
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 New York City”. https://www.deweysmart.com/opportunities/in/new-york.
When quoting a figure, include its data year and population, and retain its source link. Reuse terms.
