Volunteering · Savannah, Georgia
Volunteer opportunities for teens in Savannah.
Where high school students in Savannah can volunteer, with each place’s age rules and when the hospital and wildlife center programs take applications.
By Lokesh Pampatti, founder of Clarity Prep · Updated October 18, 2026
This list covers Savannah and Chatham County. We read every age rule on the organization’s own site, last checked October 18, 2026. Rules change, so confirm on the link before you go. Pick your age to see what you can do now.
8 places on this list.
Food banks and meals
- America’s Second Harvest of Coastal GeorgiaOn your own at 16+
Chatham Parkway, Savannah
- Ages
- Ages 16 and up on their own. Ages 12 to 15 are welcome with an adult who stays the whole time.
- What you do
- Sort and pack food, help in the Kids Cafe kitchen, or run a food drive.
- How to start
- Find a shift through the food bank’s volunteer listings and schedule ahead, since space is limited.
Hospitals and health
- Memorial Health University Medical Center, VolunTEEN ProgramOn your own at 15+
Memorial Health University Medical Center, Savannah
- Ages
- Area students ages 15 to 18.
- What you do
- A June-to-July summer program. You commit to at least 40 hours over six weeks.
- How to start
- Applications are first come, first served. Send the volunteer application to Volunteer Services by mail or email; qualified applicants get an interview link.
- Apply
- February 5 to March 28
- St. Joseph’s/Candler, Youth Volunteer ProgramOn your own at 14+
St. Joseph’s/Candler, Savannah
- Ages
- At least 14 by June 1 and entering 9th grade or higher.
- What you do
- A seven-week summer program in the hospital. You need to be free for at least six of the seven weeks.
- How to start
- Check the volunteer page for the application. The site says 2027 summer applications open next year.
- Apply
- Opens in 2027 (date not posted yet)
Animal shelters
- Humane Society for Greater Savannah12 to 15 with a parent
The adoption center, Savannah
- Ages
- Ages 12 to 15 volunteer as a team with a parent or guardian, with a six-month commitment. The site lists 16 on one page and 18 on another as the age to volunteer alone, so ask before you apply.
- What you do
- Train and work alongside your parent at the adoption center, or run a donation or fundraising drive.
- How to start
- Fill out the Youth Volunteer Application and sign up for an orientation at the adoption center.
- Chatham County Animal ServicesOn your own at 17+
Savannah
- Ages
- Ages 18 and up on their own. 17-year-olds can volunteer on their own but may be limited to certain tasks.
- What you do
- Walk, bathe and socialize dogs, play with cats, help with kennels and laundry, and help at events.
- How to start
- Read the volunteer manual, send in the waiver and application, pass a background check, and pay a $25 fee for a shirt and badge.
Museums, the zoo and gardens
- Oatland Island Wildlife Center, Oatland Wildlife Leaders (OWLs)On your own at 14+
Oatland Island Wildlife Center, Savannah
- Ages
- High school students who are at least 14.
- What you do
- A year-long teen program, August to July, with at least 30 volunteer hours plus regular meetings. Space is very limited.
- How to start
- Apply online, then interview in May.
- Apply
- April 2027 for the 2027–28 year
- Oatland Island Wildlife Center, Junior Camp CounselorOn your own at 14+
Oatland Island Wildlife Center, Savannah
- Ages
- Ages 14 and up.
- What you do
- Help at summer camp for a full week, Monday to Friday, 9 to 3. Camps run weekly in June and July, and each week earns community service credit.
- How to start
- Fill out the Summer Camp Volunteer Form.
Libraries
- Live Oak Public LibrariesOn your own at 15+
Branches across the Savannah area
- Ages
- Ages 15 and up. Under 18 needs a signed parental permission form.
- What you do
- Help at a library branch.
- How to start
- Apply on the library’s volunteer page and include the signed permission form.
When the teen programs take applications
The most sought-after teen programs take applications once a year, months before they start. Put these on your calendar.
- FebruaryMemorial Health University Medical Center, VolunTEEN Program: February 5 to March 28
- AprilOatland Island Wildlife Center, Oatland Wildlife Leaders (OWLs): April 2027 for the 2027–28 year
More Georgia guides
- Volunteer opportunities for teens in Atlanta 19 places
- Volunteer opportunities for teens in Cobb County 9 places
- Volunteer opportunities for teens in Gwinnett County 7 places
- Volunteer opportunities for teens in Alpharetta and North Fulton 7 places
- Volunteer opportunities for teens in Forsyth County 6 places
- Volunteer opportunities for teens in Douglas County 7 places
How to make it count
- Pick one or two places and stay. A year at one food bank says more than ten one-day events. Ask for more responsibility as you go, like training new volunteers or running a drive.
- Keep a log from day one: the date, hours, what you did, and a supervisor’s name and email. Schools, clubs and scholarships ask for it, and it is hard to rebuild later.
- Ask your school what counts. National Honor Society, Beta Club and similar clubs set their own hour rules, and some only accept certain kinds of service.
- Write about what changed. On the Common App you get 150 characters per activity. Lead with what you did and what came of it, not the hour count. See how many volunteer hours you need for college.
Know a place in Savannah that takes teen volunteers and should be here? Email sessions@joinclarityprep.com with a link to its volunteer page.
Questions
Where can a 13-year-old volunteer in Savannah?
With a parent or another adult along: America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia and Humane Society for Greater Savannah.
Where can a 14-year-old volunteer in Savannah without a parent?
St. Joseph’s/Candler, Oatland Island’s OWLs program and Oatland Island’s junior camp counselors.
Can teens volunteer at a hospital in Savannah?
Yes, through summer teen programs that start at age 14: Memorial Health and St. Joseph’s/Candler. They are competitive, usually ask for vaccine records and a counselor form or interview, and take applications starting in February for that summer.
Do colleges care where I volunteer?
They care more about what you did and how long you stuck with it than about the place or the hour count. 68% of colleges consider volunteer work, and 18% rate it important or very important, according to their own Common Data Sets.
Want help turning service into a stronger application?
Clarity Prep pairs high school students with a mentor who has been through it, plus an app that keeps the plan, the college list and every essay in one place. You get a weekly call and a check-in every Monday.