• Picking up beach trash isn't everyone's idea of fun.trash on beach image by dwags from Fotolia.com
  
  Volunteering sometimes seems like a stuffy chore for karma points, but it can be fun. There are tons of places to volunteer between animal shelters and community events. It would be impossible not to find someplace where you'll have fun volunteering. Though your personal preference and favorite hobbies make your perfect volunteer opportunity different, this list of fun places to volunteer should give you a good head start.
  
  

Culture

• You can volunteer at a variety of ongoing cultural events such as film festivals, fashion shows, and art walks. The best way to get in touch with these opportunities is by going to a city or county website for a list of community events. If you know of an upcoming or annual event then visit the event's web page in order to find volunteer opportunities. You can also search online volunteer opportunity databases (see resources section) for these opportunities.
  
  Volunteer duties at cultural events vary greatly. They may include crowd control, taking tickets, and handing out flyers.
  
  

Animals

• If you always longed for a cat or dog, or simply want to help one of your pet's furry relatives, then volunteer at an animal shelter. Most volunteers at animal shelters perform a variety of duties from walking dogs to stuffing envelopes. If you are allergic to cats or dogs, you may want to steer clear of direct interaction with animals and opt for clerical duties instead. However, these duties may not seem nearly as fun as petting critters.
  
  

The Earth

• If you enjoy nature, try volunteering for an environmental organization or community garden. You can plant trees, tend to crops, or take nature hikes. Some earth-friendly organizations may do events such as trash pick up, handing out flyers, or organizing informative events.
  
  

With People

• Depending on your age, you may qualify to volunteer as a mentor for children. This opportunity works best for teenagers and young adults. Mentor programs match qualified candidates with children who need council and support. Mentor work involves acting as a friend and guardian and can include a wide variety of activities such as sports, painting, and dinners.
  
  You can volunteer to coach a children's sports team or to lead an art class. You can even volunteer as a swim coach.