Community Service Hours

Types of activities acceptable for community service hours

Below are some examples of the types of activities approved for community service.

·         Provide service to seniors or others who have difficulty leaving their homes - raking, shoveling (no snow blowers), shopping;

·         Tutor younger students - read, visit the library, help with homework;

·         Volunteer at a senior's home/centre;

·         Help organize local community events - food drives/banks;

·         Take part in environmental initiatives - cleaning and recycling operations, park clean-up, planting trees and flowerbeds;

·         Become involved with charitable or church activities;

·         Assist with sports teams: community leagues, house league teams, parks and recreation programs;

·         Volunteer in leadership roles with community groups, youth group, leader at church;

·         Volunteer at hospitals, libraries, social service or animal welfare agencies, religious communities/places of worship; and/or

·         Assist with literacy initiatives at local libraries, child care centres, community centres

Activities considered ineligible for community involvement hours

According to the Ministry of Education, an activity is ineligible for community involvement hours if it is:

·         Required as part of a school course;

·         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;

·         An activity that replaces a paid worker;

·         An activity where you would usually be paid (e.g. babysitting);

·         A duty performed in a home (e.g. daily chores) or personal recreational activities;

·         Requiring the knowledge of a provincially regulated tradesperson;

·         Playing in a sports team;

·         A Court ordered program involving a community service expectation;

·         Involving operating a vehicle, power tools or scaffolding;

·         Administering medication or handling substances as classified by the Occupational Health and Safety Act;

·         Involving banking, securities or other valuables;