Summer Teen Volunteer Program FAQs

A: This program is for Arizona high school students who will become an incoming sophomore, junior or senior in the 2025-26 school year. High school seniors who will be 18 years old before June 1 may complete the adult volunteer application starting Thursday, May 1. Current seniors should not apply.

A: The program is a seven-week session that runs Monday, June 2, through Friday, July 18. Additionally, there are mandatory onboarding dates during the month of May. Prior to applying, teens should carefully consider the required time commitment and note the important dates in their calendar. Important dates include:

• Mandatory Parent Orientation is virtually Tuesday, April 22, from 5 - 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 26, from 9 - 10 a.m. (parents choose one of the two)
• Mandatory Teen Orientation is in-person on Wednesday, April 30, from 5 - 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 3, from 9:00 -11:30 a.m.  (teen volunteers choose one of the two)
• Campus Training date depends on the campus. Campus training dates are below:
  • HonorHealth Deer Valley: May 29 from 1:30-3:30pm or May 30 from 9:30-11:30am (Deer Valley teens can pick one of the two options. Do not attend both.)
  • HonorHealth John C. Lincoln: June 2, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
  • HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn: May 30, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
  • HonorHealth Mountain Vista: May 30, 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
  • HonorHealth Sonoran Crossing Medical Center: May 28, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
  • HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea: May 23 and May 30, 9 - 1 p.m.
  • HonorHealth Tempe: May 29, 1 - 3:30 p.m.
  • HonorHealth Scottsdale Thompson Peak, May 28, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

A: The program requires a weekly commitment of eight hours as two (2) four-hour shifts. Volunteer hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Teens joining for their first summer of service will not be placed on a weekend or evening shift. Teens can miss two shifts during the seven-week program. Most campuses do not offer “make-up” shifts. Once the third shift is missed, the teen may be removed from the program. Teens must volunteer consistently for six of the seven weeks. For example, if your family is taking a two-week vacation between the program dates (Monday, June 2, through Friday, July 18) you will not be eligible for the program. 

A: The application deadline is noon on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

A: There are two steps complete your application.

Step one: Fill out an online application by Wednesday, February 26, at noon. When you submit your application online, you will be required to upload an unofficial transcript and a student statement answering the questions below. Please have your unofficial transcript and student statement ready to upload prior to starting the online application.

Student statement questions:

• What is one aptitude or personal trait that will make you a great volunteer?
• HonorHealth is guided by our ICARE values of innovation, collaboration, accountability, respect, and empathy. Which of these ICARE values is most important in your own life and why?
• If you are accepted to the Summer Teen Volunteer Program, you will volunteer two four-hour shifts each week for seven weeks (all shifts are Monday - Friday from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Teens in their first summer are not allowed weekend or weeknight shifts.) If you miss three shifts, you may be removed from the program. How will you prioritize this commitment and balance your other summer activities, which may include family time, work, time with friends, sports, clubs, etc.?

Step two: After submitting your online application (where you upload your unofficial transcript and student statement), please email your recommendation form (PDF) and immunization records to studentvolunteers@honorhealth.com. The online recommendation form must be completed by someone outside of your immediate family. This should be someone who can speak to your work ethic and/or character. Your recommendation form and immunization records are due by Wednesday, March 5, at noon.

A: Explorers who do not currently volunteer at a medical center must apply for the program. Those who are currently providing volunteer services do not need to apply.

A: No. Students who were part of the program the previous year do not need to re-apply. Current teen volunteers should work directly with their supervisor to express their interest in serving again.

A: Teens who wish to move from their previous medical center to another facility should email their request to studentvolunteers@honorhealth.com. Transfers are not guaranteed and are considered on a case-by-case basis.

A: Yes. HonorHealth team members providing recommendations must complete the recommendation form (PDF). Any provided reference must be familiar with the teen’s character and fitness for volunteer service and should not be a direct family member. Telephone calls, emails and other personal contact with the selection committee are not allowed. Immediate family members cannot complete the recommendation form, but they can be listed on the online application under the HonorHealth Employee Relations section.

A: Acceptance to summer service is a competitive process, with teens applying from around the Valley. More applications are received than there is space for volunteers. The application and interview are the only criteria used for the selection process, so we encourage applicants to take their time and diligently fill out the application to give them the best chance of acceptance into the program. When completing the application and interview, we encourage applicants to:

• Fully read and answer all parts of the questions: Many applicants do not fully answer the questions. If a question has two parts, be sure the answer reflects all the requested information.
• Interacting and connecting with strangers is important in this role: Please don’t attend the interview and only speak with friends or people known to you. It is important to see how potential applicants interact with others, as volunteers may have some patient interaction once accepted to the program.
• Consider your availability: One of the factors we use to determine acceptance is applicants’ availability. Take time to carefully consider your obligations this summer, and make sure to list your full availability – not just your preferred times to volunteer. 

A: Applicants will receive a confirmation email after submission of their online application (including their student statement and unofficial transcript). After submitting your online application, please email your recommendation form (PDF) and immunization records to studentvolunteers@honorhealth.com.

All applicants must attend a group interview at your first-choice campus on the date selected on your application. In-person interviews will be held at the end of March. Due to the volume of applications, we cannot guarantee alternative interview times.

A: Email is the primary form of communication used to connect with volunteers. Please ensure a valid email address is listed on the application and this email account is checked regularly during the application timelines. As this is a program that promotes teen accountability, we strongly encourage the applicant’s email account be used, instead of one belonging to a parent/guardian.

A: Volunteer Services will notify applicants of acceptance after group interviews are completed using the email listed on the application. It is strongly recommended that this is the applicant's email address and not the email of a parent or guardian.

A: We ask that you consider choosing your group interview date carefully and noting it on a calendar. We may not be able to accommodate date change requests.

A: No. This is a very competitive program with limited volunteer positions available at each campus.

A: A parent/guardian must attend one of two mandatory, 60-minute online Zoom orientations:

• 5 - 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23 OR
• 9 - 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 26

Teen volunteers must attend one of two in-person orientations:

• 5 - 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, OR 
• 9 - 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 3 
   

Teens are also required to attend a two-hour on campus training between Monday, May 27 and Monday, June 2. The dates and times are listed below for each campus.

• HonorHealth Deer Valley: May 29, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. or May 30, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. (Deer Valley teens can pick one of the two options. Do not attend both.)
• HonorHealth John C. Lincoln: June 2, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn: May 30, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• HonorHealth Mountain Vista: May 30, 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• HonorHealth Sonoran Crossing Medical Center: May 28, 9 - 11 a.m.
• HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea: May 23 and May 30, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• HonorHealth Scottsdale Thompson Peak:  May 28, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• HonorHealth Tempe: May 29, 1 - 3:30 p.m.
   

A: On your application, please select your preferred location. We will do our best to place you at your desired campus or medical center of choice. At times, alternative service locations are selected by HonorHealth based on availability and campus need.

A: Volunteers are a valuable part of HonorHealth’s daily operations and are counted on by team members to support our healing environment. If you’re unable to commit to the time requirement, we ask that you reconsider applying for the program. If you miss three shifts, you may be removed from the program.

A: The COVID-19 vaccine is optional, but HonorHealth continues to advocate strongly for all team members, clinicians and volunteers to keep their COVID-19 vaccinations up to date. The seasonal influenza vaccine is required during flu season (medical or religious exceptions are available).

A: No, carpooling with other summer teen volunteers is not recommended, as we are unable to coordinate shifts with other teen volunteers. If accepted to the program, it is up to the volunteer and/or family members to ensure safe transportation to and from the assigned campus location.

A: Currently, we are not able to coordinate volunteer service schedules.