Summer. At the mention of that word, sandy white beaches, no homework, relaxing days at the spa and long vacations come to mind. But why not use some of your extra time to volunteer with a local cause this summer? You can volunteer by yourself, but you can also get the whole family involved with a project or cause. Continue reading to learn more about some interesting volunteer opportunities near you.

1. MicroMentor.org
If you have business skills or experience to share with others, this is the perfect volunteer opportunity for you. MicroMentor.org is an online community of entrepreneurs and business mentors, where mentors join, search for budding entrepreneurs to assist online and, once connected, begin providing critical business knowledge. This is a flexible opportunity because you set the conditions of the relationship. The four most needed areas of assistance, according to volunteermatch.org, are (1) getting started and business planning, (2) marketing strategy, (3) business development, and (4) financial planning. Young and old entrepreneurs alike need help tackling the world of business, and you can provide them with valuable business advice and experience that will help them succeed. Learn more today at MicroMentor.org.

2. International Experience – USA
Do you want your children to learn more about foreign cultures? Are you interested in learning more about overseas countries? If so, why not host a high school foreign exchange student this summer? International Experience – USA (iE – USA) is a nonprofit student exchange organization seeking host families to provide students with room and board. However, students may sleep in a room with a sibling or siblings, provided that the student has their own bed, and do have insurance and their own spending money for additional expenses. All iE students can speak English and have gone through an extensive application/in-home interview process as well as an orientation in their home country. Host families and students are supported by local coordinators of iE throughout the experience. To learn more, visit usa.international-experience.net.

3. Junior Achievement of South Florida
Junior Achievement (JA), the nonprofit leader in providing financial literacy, work-readiness, and entrepreneurship education, needs volunteers who are willing to take career and life-skills mentoring into local classrooms. Junior Achievement is a program that is invaluable because it teaches K-12 student economic success skills that they can utilize for the rest of their life. If you think you are unqualified for this job, think again: Junior Achievement’s 178,000 classroom volunteers come from all walks of life, including: business people, college students, parents and retirees, according to ja.org. You can make a difference in the future of a child today. For more information, visit ja.org.

4. South Florida SPCA
If you are an animal lover, this one’s for you. The South Florida SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and adoption of abused, neglected and abandoned horses and other large animals, and educates the community about responsible animal care, animal ownership and promote the welfare of animals through local and national advocacy. Vounteers age 12 or older can volunteer to help abused, abandoned and neglected animals. To learn more about volunteer orientation classes, visit spca-sofla.org.

5. Take Stock in Children of Broward County
Are you disappointed with the current public school system? Are you looking to make a difference in the life of a student? Take Stock in Children of Broward County is a unique mentoring program that provides low-income students with a college tuition scholarship, a caring mentor, support from a skilled student advocate, and college and career preparation. Take Stock in Children of Broward County is searching for mentors who will meet with their student for 30 minutes at school once a week for the entire school year. Volunteer opportunities are available at participating middle and high schools throughout Broward County. To learn more, visit takestockinchildren.org today.

6. The Friendship Circle
The Friendship Circle Miami is a nonprofit, community based volunteer organization dedicated to offering friendship and acceptance to children with special needs, regardless of their disability, while empowering teenage volunteers by building their leadership skills and fostering the values of altruism and volunteerism. The Friendship Circle seeks to help families who have children with special needs and involves them in a full range of fun-filled social experiences, while introducing teenage volunteers into the kids’ lives. To learn more, visit friendshipcirclemiami.org.

If you are looking for further volunteer opportunities, visit volunteermatch.org.