SUMMER VOLUNTEER SQUADS
Join a Summer Volunteer Squad (SVS) and make the most of your summer by giving back to your community!
Apply to participate in our Summer Volunteer Squad program!
- For teens entering grades 7 – 12 in the fall of 2025.
- Open to Arlington Heights residents only.
- All first-time participants must be interviewed.
- Each volunteer will be placed on one squad.
- Each squad will be working directly with library staff members to accomplish specific projects.
- Squads will be in-person and meet weekly or as noted.
- Volunteers must be available to attend a majority of squad meetings throughout the summer.
- Space is limited. We will consider all applications on a first-come, first-served basis.
Review the Squads listed below and be prepared to select three from the application to be considered. Applications will be available April 1 – 30 and the form will be online only.
Contact us at YouthPrograms@ahml.info if you have any questions about joining a Summer Volunteer Squad.
APPLY TO BE ON A SQUAD
Applications for 2025 Summer Volunteer Squads will open on April 1 and close on April 30.
New Applicants | Returning Applicants
2025 SQUADS
Book Buddies
June 16-July 23
Wednesdays, 3–5pm
Do you love reading AND working with young children? Become a Book Buddies volunteer this summer! You can encourage a shared love of reading and help a young reader gain confidence in their reading abilities. Book Buddies Squad will collaborate with Kids’ World staff to provide reading support and develop fun and creative literacy activities and crafts for developing readers. As a squad, you will plan and present three different one-hour sessions of “Early Readers Book Club” for kids in grades K through 3.
This program does not teach kids to read. This program is meant to introduce kids to awesome books for emerging readers, to get them excited about books and reading, and to help them develop social skills through interacting with their peers. Another goal is to connect them to teens in the community (you!) to cultivate positive, supportive relationships.
Bridge Builders
June 17-July 22
Tuesdays, 12:30am-2:30pm
Want to make a real difference in someone’s life? Many homebound senior citizens feel isolated, and talking with YOU could brighten their day! The Bridge Builders Squad will work together to plan and conduct a weekly Zoom session filled with fun and connection, culminating in a virtual party.
Filmmakers Squad
June 18-July 23
Wednesdays, 3-5pm
This summer, our volunteer squad will dive into the world of short filmmaking! You will learn essential skills, including camera operation, green screen effects, lighting, and editing. By the end of the program, you'll showcase your hard work in a mini film festival, where family, friends and others can enjoy your creative projects.
Pee Wee Artists
June 16-July 21
Mondays, 10am-12pm
If you enjoy working with young children, this is the squad for you. We'll design programs that let little kids experiment with different materials and find their inner artist.
Puppeteers
June 17-July 22
Tuesdays, 1-3pm
Do you love making kids smile? Can you pull off a silly voice or two? Become a Puppeteer at the library. This Summer Volunteer Squad will prepare and perform two live shows for an audience of little kids using the library’s puppet collection. No puppet experience required!
Reading Table Team
June 1-July 31
Mondays – Sundays, 2-hour shifts between 10 a.m.–8 p.m. (No shifts July 4)
Help at the Summer Reading table in Kids' World by registering children and explaining how to participate in the reading program. Hand out prizes and supervise the hands-on games. Select two-hour shifts that work for your schedule. Morning, afternoon, and evening shifts will be available seven days a week.
Robot Wranglers
June 18-July 23
Wednesdays, 1-3pm
Do you like experimenting with robots and technology? Try out our technology items like Spheros, Cubelets, VR Headsets and more! Do you enjoy showing others cool tricks? Run programs with our tech and make recommendations for future programming and possible accessories!
Sprout Squad
June 19-July 24
Tuesdays, 9-10:30am
Wednesdays, 4-5:30pm
Thursdays, 3-5pm
Come spend your summer learning how to take care of a small, raised garden plot and raise caterpillars! This squad we will have drop-in sessions that you sign up for, so there are more options that work for your schedule. During the sessions we will have the opportunity to take care of our garden plots, make signs for the plants, find out where we donate the produce, and take care of caterpillars. At the end of the squad we will host a story time and butterfly release party!