Kids, are you bored on your summer vacation? We hope not, but if you are, why not try getting into the volunteer spirit? Be one of the good ones.

Here are some volunteer ideas that could not only change your summer but change your outlook on life:

• Make cards, clothes, pillows, plush toys or other crafty creations for kids who are sick in a hospital and cannot be out enjoying the sunshine.

• Read to children at The Children’s Center. Schedule a time by calling 373-7979.

• Create a puppet show for younger children and perform it in places like the Albert Lea Public Library, Youth for Christ’s The Rock or your church.

• Organize a drive to send food and other goodies to troops in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait. To get started, call the Albert Lea Armory at 379-3408, go to www.btyr.org (Beyond the Yellow Ribbon) or enter “care packages” into an online search engine.

• Get involved with kid-based organizations such as Kids Against Hunger, Kids for Peace, Make A Wish Foundation or other child-focused groups.

• Start a Kids Care Club. These are groups of kids working to make their communities and world a better place. Visit www.kidscare.org for more.

There you go. Making something of your time will make something of yourself.