Carmel High School

Carmel High School Community Service

Carmel Unified Board Policy states that 60 hours of community service is required for graduation from Carmel High School.

15 hours completed for each year you attend Carmel High.

The number of hours required for the Class of 2024 is prorated to exclude a service requirement for the 20-21 school year, resulting in a graduation requirement of 45.0 hours.

Important Tips:

• Do not wait until your senior year to start your Community Service.

• Doing unpaid work for a business (even a family business or doctor’s office) is not Community Service.

• Choose to do your community service in a field that interests you, i.e., Music, Theater, Environment, etc.

• Many community service opportunities are listed in the bulletin. However, there are many other organizations that need student volunteers. You will need to reach out to local organizations and civic groups to find most of your service opportunities.

• Not all volunteer work for religious organizations meets the CHS definition of community service. Activities that take place during a normal worship service (i.e., ushering, singing in the choir, playing music, or providing altar service) are not considered to be high school community service. However, performing activities for the community outside of actual religious services, such as feeding the homeless, fundraising for a food bank, or providing childcare, is considered acceptable community service.

• Being a camp counselor for a summer camp run by a non-profit or civic group (scouts, city recreation, sports center etc.) is acceptable service. However, many “for profit” camps (businesses) incorrectly offer service hours to unpaid counselors. Please check with the Community Service Coordinator before committing to a camp.

• Freshmen will earn service hours participating in the Empty Bowls Project in the Spring.

• Service Clubs are a great way to make a connection on the CHS campus and a good way to earn service hours.

To download a fillable Community Service Form click here 

The President’s Service Award:

This award is based on age group and hours served in the community in a 12 month period. 

 The 12-month period for Carmel High students begins April 1st of each year and ends March 30th. 

 Students must apply to receive the award. The application period is March 15th through April 15th, and is announced in the Daily Bulletin.

Teens up through 15 years of age earn a Bronze award for 50 hours of service, a silver award for 75 hours and a gold award for 100 hours or more.

 Students 16 and older earn a bronze award for 100 hours, a silver award for 175 hours and a gold award for 250 or more hours of service in a 12month period.

• Resources for Service projects:
• Get the Clean Swell app and record trash pick-up and beach cleanup for service hours
• Collegetransitions - Virtual volunteer opportunities for high school students
• https://www.dosomething.org
• Collegevine - Online community service for high schoolers
• Grownandflown - Virtual volunteer opportunities for teens

To download a fillable Community Service Form click here 

Students if you have done community service that is not recorded in aeries, please email your completed service forms to Mrs. Vita at dvita@carmelunified.org. To check your recorded hours in aeries: Click on the page tab “Other” then click on “Activities and Awards” and all your recorded hours will show.

Note on Community Service for Religious Organizations: 

Not all non-paid volunteer work for religious organizations meets the Carmel High School definition of community service. Activities that take place during a normal worship service (i.e. ushering, singing in the choir, playing music, or providing altar service) are not considered to be high school community service.

However, performing activities for the community with a group outside of actual religious services, such as feeding the homeless, fundraising for a food bank, or providing childcare, can be considered acceptable community service. If you have questions regarding whether an activity for or with your religious  group qualifies as community service email Diana Vita at dvita@carmelunified.org

Carmel Youth Baseball - in Carmel and Carmel Valley

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Volunteer Opportunities

• Warehouse Distribution
• Saturday Food Sorts
• Events & Fundraising
• Office Assistance
• The Emergency Food Assistance Program Distribution
• The Family Market Distribution
• Board of Directors & Committees

For more information on Volunteering contact:

Sandra Nunez at (831) 758-1523 | snunez@food4hungry.org
Stephanie Robles (831) 758-1523 | srobles@food4hungry.org