Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering with Summer Quest is a wonderful opportunity to meet some talented young people and make a difference in their lives. There are several ways to assist us:

Reading application essays

From October to December, volunteers can help us read and evaluate application essays from students. We will provide a grading rubric. Your insights into the students' writing and critical thinking skills will help us determine which programs best fit the students' abilities.

Interviews with students

Volunteers are also invited to help us with student interviews, which take place between December and January at Walter Payton College Prep. This is a great opportunity to meet the Summer Quest applicants and learn about their interests and ambitions. Volunteers will receive a list of questions to ask each student, and an evaluation rubric.

Academic advising

Those who are interested in a long-term volunteer opportunity should consider becoming an academic advisor. Academic advising takes place during the second semester of the school year. As an advisor, you will work with students one-on-one to help them apply to the external summer programs. Advisors check-in with students regularly via phone or email to offer encouragement and answer any questions the students may have about their application.

Other opportunities

Volunteers are also welcome to help with parents' meetings, program matching sessions, warp ups, and other events during the year.

Volunteer application

The Summer Quest volunteer application is AVAILABLE HERE .
Please mail completed applications to:
Summer Quest
125 S. Clark St., 12th floor
Chicago, IL 60603

Since 2007, I've volunteered as an essay reader, interviewer, and academic advisor. I've also chipped in at program matching sessions and the wrap up meeting. My experience with Summer Quest has been fantastic. It's always a pleasure to meet talented teenagers, learn about their aspirations, and send them on their way to new challenges. The best part is hearing the students' stories when they've returned from their summer programs. They come back with so many happy memories, along with new skills and greater confidence in themselves. And it's nice to know that I've been able to help in some small way.