---
title: Get out and Serve this Summer
description: Volunteering also helps you develop new skills, provides a sense of purpose, and helps to develop a deeper connection to the community and to other people. This article provides benefits and information on how to find summer student service opportunities.
image: https://info.summeratsandyspring.org/hubfs/costa_rica.jpg
---

[![Sandy_Spring_Logo.png](https://info.summeratsandyspring.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Sandy_Spring_Logo.png?width=2500&name=Sandy_Spring_Logo.png "Sandy_Spring_Logo.png")](http://www.ssfs.org/)

# Get out and Serve this Summer

Posted by [Karen Cumberbatch](https://info.summeratsandyspring.org/author/karen-cumberbatch) on Jun 25, 2015 10:00:40 AM

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![costa_rica](https://info.summeratsandyspring.org/hubfs/costa_rica.jpg)

For many of our students, summer is the perfect time to relax, recharge, and spend quality time with their friends and family. At [Sandy Spring Friends School (SSFS)](http://www.ssfs.org/index.aspx), we also know that summer is the perfect time to learn, grow, and gain new experiences and one of the best ways to accomplish this is through volunteering!

There are a number of benefits to serving this summer. It’s no surprise that volunteering and student service learning (SSL)  looks great on a college transcript, but did you know volunteering has a number of health benefits as well? According to a study released by the [Corporation for National and Community Service](http://www.nationalservice.gov/serve-your-community/benefits-volunteering), those who volunteer have enhanced immune systems, greater functional ability, and lower rates of depression later in life than those who do not volunteer. Volunteering also helps you develop new skills, provides a sense of purpose, and helps to develop a deeper connection to the community and to other people. According to a study in the [Harvard Business Review](https://hbr.org/2012/09/youll-feel-less-rushed-if-you-give-time-away), volunteering your time even makes you feel like you have more time. With so many positive outcomes from volunteering, we suggest getting the whole family involved!

To find volunteer opportunities in the Montgomery County area, visit the [Montgomery County Volunteer Center](http://www.montgomeryserves.org/)’s website; there you’ll find an extensive list of options to choose from.

Looking for more information on service, volunteerism, and student service learning? Check out the following articles below:

-          [Tips for Families Who Want to Volunteer](http://www.nationalservice.gov/sites/default/files/documents/VIA_tips_volunteering_families.pdf)
-          [Volunteer: How Helping Others Helps You](https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/outside-the-classroom/volunteering-how-helping-others-helps-you)
-          [5 Surprising Benefits of Volunteering](http://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2015/03/19/5-surprising-benefits-of-volunteering/)
-          [Finding the Right Volunteer Opportunity for You](https://www.serviceleader.org/volunteers/finding)
-          [Student Service Learning (SSL) Overview](http://www.montgomeryserves.org/volunteers/student-service-learning-ssl)

*At Sandy Spring Friends School, we believe helping others and serving the community are integral parts of the learning process. That’s why every Upper School student is expected to contribute at least 100 hours of service through school-led and self-led activities. To learn more about our school’s community service efforts visit our [Community Service](http://www.ssfs.org/student-life/upper-school/community-service/index.aspx) page. *

 Topics: [Volunteer](https://info.summeratsandyspring.org/topic/volunteer)

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