What types of activities are eligible?

Elementary Schools- assist with school events, school councils, activities for  children; 

Secondary Schools - organization and leadership of school activities or clubs that benefit the school and/or community; 

Animal Care - volunteering in a zoo, animal shelter, or on a farm; 

Community Spaces and Events - volunteering in galleries, libraries, arts &  cultural events, community productions or opportunities (outside of credit  courses) for time spent learning about traditional cultures such as language, cooking, knowledge, skills, and stories; 

Charitable Organizations - assisting with special events, programs, clerical tasks; 

Children/Youth Programs - assisting with children/youth programs, volunteering in a child care centre or camp; 

Community Organizations - assisting with special events, food banks, community support services, shelters, clerical tasks; 

Community Service for Individuals - assisting community members in need; 

Environment, Conservation and Sustainability Projects or Initiatives - planting flowers/trees, recycling projects, recycling depot; 

Health Agencies- volunteering in hospitals, hospices, Canadian Blood Services (volunteering to organize or assist with a blood donor clinic),  donating blood (time required to donate); 

Public Service Agencies - volunteering for activities sponsored by the police or fire department; 

Political Organizations - municipal, provincial, and federal recognized political  organizations that reflect the values and priorities of the YRDSB except for York Region District School Board trustees or trustee candidates; 

Religious Organizations - assisting with programs, special events; 

Senior Citizens - assisting in seniors’ residences, providing services for seniors in the community; 

Sports and Recreation - coaching, managing, organizing special events, assisting with projects/events Service Focused Community Club Activities - those activities that expand community service to others beyond the school day (holiday dinner  participation, environmental action activities, etc.) 

Virtual Opportunities - organizations must be based in Ontario and run by an adult/adults for charitable purposes.

Ineligible Activities is a requirement of a class or course in which the student is enrolled (i.e., cooperative education portion of a course, job shadowing, work experience); 

• takes place during the time allotted for the instructional program on a school day. However, an activity that takes place during the student’s lunch breaks or “spare” periods is permissible; 

• takes place in a logging or mining environment, if the student is under sixteen years of age; 

• takes place in a factory, if the student is under fifteen years of age; 

• takes place in a workplace other than a factory, if the student is under fourteen years of age and is not accompanied by an adult; 

• would normally be performed for wages by a person in the workplace; •involves the operation of a vehicle, power tools, or scaffolding; 

• involves the administration of any type or form of medication or medical procedure to other persons; 

• involves handling of substances classed as “designated substances” under the Occupational Health and Safety Act; 

• requires the knowledge of a tradespersons whose trade is regulated by the provincial government; 

• involves banking or the handling of securities, or the handling of jewelry, works of art, antiques, or other valuables; 

• consists of duties performed in the home (i.e., daily chores) or personal recreational activities; 

• involves activities for a court-ordered program (i.e., community-service program for young offenders, probationary program); 

• involves participation in extra curricular activities for which a student stands for school-wide election; and 

• any work for a School Board Trustee or Candidate