Badger Volunteer students sitting around a table, smiling. They are all wearing bucket hats that say "Badger Volunteers"

Badgers give back during the summer

In addition to staying busy with coursework, travel and jobs, many Badgers volunteer over the summer to gain experience and contribute to their communities.

One way students can volunteer is through Badger Volunteers, headquartered at the Red Gym. Badger Volunteers is a semester-long program that pairs students with community organizations in the Madison area to volunteer each week at the same organization. The program fosters meaningful and consistent connections between community partners and students.

This year, Badger Volunteers began its summer session on June 19, and 82 students are focusing on education, public health and sustainability during their eight-week session. Most of the work takes place outdoors, like at Troy Farm.

We talked to three Badger Volunteers summer interns who shared their experiences as volunteers and how volunteering fosters learning, growth and connection.

Benefits of lending a hand

Surina Martinez is from Los Angeles and is a Badger Volunteers sustainability intern. She has volunteered since middle school, mainly at summer camps, schools and for sustainability projects, initially through the Goodman Center.

Surina says volunteering allows students to shape their identity and reflect on goals and values. She volunteers “to be a role model for students and help them get through their schedule.” She also enjoys meeting new people.

Surina said that connecting with community partners is good networking and could even offer post-graduation opportunities.

“It is a nice opportunity to not be just a college student, but a person,” Surina said of her volunteering experience. She feels like she has widened her perspective by meeting people from many backgrounds and across the world.

From the suburbs of Chicago, Maia Ninan is a rising senior studying education. She enjoys volunteering because it helps her explore one of her passions, educational equity. She adds, “People can get involved with things that they really want to do and build more meaningful experiences that are catered toward them.”

Maia joined Badger Volunteers as a requirement for one of her certificates. She found herself at the Lake View Elementary School outdoor classroom. She said, “I really loved it because it was a blend of getting to hang out with the kids, working outside, seeing the cool work they’re doing with their outdoor garden and exposing kids to natural environments.”

Maia said volunteering allows her to be more open-minded, and coming back to campus reminds her of how some people might not understand what is going on in the community off campus.

“If community engagement is something you want to practice, volunteering is a perfect way to build those skills. It is a great way to build connections and professional skills, regardless of what you want to do in your future. You learn communication skills, relationship building and team building,” Maia said.

Michael Mitchell is a rising senior from Los Angeles, focusing on education. While he’s not been a traditional Badger Volunteer, he is involved in Community-based Learning (CBL) courses. Michael took a CBL course in the fall for urban planning and was based at an elementary school.

Michael enjoys volunteering because he said he has gained a depth of awareness. He adds, “Students can take away a wide array of skills and lessons from volunteering, whether it be from understanding yourself, your own personal identities, or coming in to know more about the community around you.”

Picturing a volunteer experience

Here are some Badger Volunteers students and staff sharing their passions with the world!

Students and staff behind a table with a black cloth that says "Badger Volunteers" — Badger Volunteers Staff at the 2024 Badger Volunteers orientation (Pictured left to right: Maia Ninan, Lara Miller, Surina Martinez, Michael Mitchell, James Zimmerman).

Students and staff standing in a garden, holding some garden tools — Badger Volunteers taking initiative at Allen Centennial Garden (Pictured left to right: Lara Miller, James Zimmerman, Katherine Gohdes, Lilia Ryan, Reba Luiken [Director, Allen Centennial Garden], Isaac Zaman [Horticulturist]).

Students and staff sitting and standing in a garden, some giving the "W" for Wisconsin — Summer Badger Volunteers end-of-year celebration.

Three students in a greenhouse, smiling — Badger Volunteers showing their green thumb (Pictured: Isabel [Isa] Hernandez-White, Courtney Wayland, and Rilee).

How to get involved

Volunteering with Badger Volunteers takes place at the same time and place each week, making it a great way to know the surrounding community. It is also a great way to try something new.

Registration for fall semester with Badger Volunteers opens Monday, August 26, and ends Friday, September 13. Check out the Badger Volunteers website or email Badger Volunteers Program Manager Lara Miller or Assistant Program Manager James Zimmerman for more information.

The Morgridge Center has plenty of other volunteer opportunities. Volunteers can search for opportunities based on major, cause, location and more. Off-campus Badgers can volunteer at local community centers, schools or other organizations.

“It is a good experience to grow and learn the things you are passionate about, and you can take stuff you have learned from that experience and apply that in your academics, career and more,” Surina said.

This summer, find volunteering opportunities that align with your interests, commit to a schedule, be willing to learn new things and have fun!

Explore courses and opportunities available through Summer Term and make the most of your summer. For more stories and updates, follow us on Instagram @uwsummer and share your Badger summer experiences with #MyBadgerSummer.