By Nathan Rawls
Nathan Rawls is a high school student who attends a Broward County High school. He enjoys lacrosse, reading and public speaking. Nathan is fluent in Spanish and has traveled internationally. He wants to attend an HBCU and major in Pharmacy.
Summer is typically a time to reset, renew, and relax. But this summer, I had the amazing opportunity to take part in a program called Hands On South Florida Summer Service Camp. It was a one-week nonprofit community service camp that gives participants volunteer opportunities—and honestly, it was one of the best parts of my summer.
Throughout the week, I was able to participate in a vast amount of meaningful activities that helped people in our community. We visited the elderly, created crafts for people experiencing homelessness, and spent time at the Ann Storck Center, which supports individuals with disabilities. We also had important conversations about topics like Juneteenth and period poverty, which really opened my eyes to issues I had not thought about much before.
One of the best parts of the camp was the people. I made some great friends during the week, and the leaders were amazing, especially Ms. Bari Goldberg, who works with youth volunteers. She was very kind and made everyone feel welcome and appreciated and challenged us to think beyond our current situations.
Hands On South Florida Summer Service Camp is more than just a way to earn service hours. It’s a place to grow, connect, and give back. I’m really glad I participated, and I would definitely recommend it to other teens looking to make a difference. But you don’t need to join a summer program to get involved. There are so many ways to support your community year-round. Organize or contribute to food drives, clothing drives, school supply collections — anything that helps others. Because making a difference doesn’t have an age requirement. Just in case you are stuck, you can always visit handsonbroward.org for ideas for all ages.
