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A growing body of research shows that volunteering can help children strengthen social relationships, develop skills and even enhance their career prospects.
Recognising this, an increasing number of schools and universities are actively pursuing student volunteering through various means.
Recently, Charles Darwin University held a graduation ceremony for more than 50 primary school students, some as young as seven-years-old, who participated in voluntary learning opportunities outside school hours for disadvantaged kids.
The young students garbed in graduation regalia joined thousands of children graduating from the Children’s University program across the country.
Children’s University Charles Darwin Coordinator Josh Barnes said offering the opportunity to attend university through engaging, self-directed educational activities aims to encourage future participation in higher education.
Activities ranged from a robot engineering workshop to identifying animals at the Territory Wildlife Park. For each activity the students were awarded stamps in a passport towards completing the program.
Manunda Terrace Primary School student Hannah Baczynski said she had participated in the program for the past two years.
“There have been so many fun activities and I have met lots of other kids with similar interests to me,” she said.
Ten-year-old Hannah said the highlight of this year was the visit to the Territory Wildlife Park.
“I want to become a Vet or Wildlife Conservationist so learning about the birds, reptiles and amphibians, and feeding the buffalos was really fun,” she said.
The original version of this article first appeared on the Charles Darwin University website.