As many locals know, the Antelope Valley is not the most eventful area in California. Other than studying to leave this godforsaken district, the youth find the Palmdale-Lancaster area fairly boring. However, once reaching teenage adolescence, the deadbeat youths can make use of their otherwise wasted time by volunteering. Although the Antelope Valley gives off the impression that it is a pretty dull place to live, there are actually plenty of opportunities for volunteering in the area.

   For those who have a love for service and hope to go into the medical field, volunteering at the Palmdale Regional Medical Center is a considerable option. This hospital and medical center takes in hundreds of volunteer applicants that are given the option to work in certain sectors, some of which include the gift shop or patient treatment. Also when working as a volunteer, some are given the opportunity to shadow a doctor, who may write recommendation letters and offer insight into the field of medicine. With a courteous staff and a diverse selection of jobs, the hospital may be an optimal choice for a self-motivated student who is trying to escape the clutches of the Antelope Valley and is interested in working in the medical field.

   Other than the hospital, Palmdale also provides a volunteer program in the sheriff’s department. Rather than simple busy work, the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station Volunteer Program provides multiple programs for adolescents who have a genuine passion for serving their city in law enforcement. Jobs within the volunteer program include shadowing officers, assisting in search and rescue operations, and helping out in community affairs. However, it is worth noting that these programs require prerequisite training and commitment. For those who do not want to put in the same level of effort, the sheriff volunteer program also provides simple jobs like clerical work and front desk duty. Although these responsibilities are simple in the task given, they are not meaningless; they are integral in ensuring the sheriff’s department stays organized.

   Every volunteer program is extremely beneficial to the standard high school student looking to attend college and even to the dedicated youths of the community. It is also worth mentioning that these volunteer programs are only a few of the options in the Antelope Valley. The jobs can vary from meaningless busy work to extremely rigorous activity, all of which will cater to the interests of any student as long as they are willing to put in some time.