Calendar of Volunteer Events

One-Time Volunteer Opportunities

MLK Day of Service

MLK Day of Service is taking place on Saturday, January 17th! Join us for a morning of connection and service as we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year we will have the registration area near classroom 2701 (Bldg. 2700), right next to the theater. We will have coffee, donuts, fruit and light grab and go type snack items available.

Here's some tips to make your day successful:

• We have a variety of indoor and outdoor projects taking place throughout the county, including Oceanside, Vista, and Escondido. Each person who hopes to volunteer must sign in individually; no signing in groups (every volunteer must be present to sign-in). The only exception is if you are signing in your children (Children are welcome!)
• IMPORTANT: Volunteers must provide their own transportation; we will not be offering transportation to the volunteer sites.
• Check-in: Volunteers are asked to meet outside of Bldg. 2700—Signage will be posted around the perimeter of the campus (Entering Barnard Drive and Glacier Dr.) directing folks to park in Lot OC-2A. 

What to bring/wear:

• Closed toe shoes
• Comfortable clothing you do not mind getting a little dirty in; pants are encouraged
• Refillable water bottle; we will have limited water
• Outerwear to keep warm
• Sun protection (i.e., hat, sunglasses, etc.)
• Work gloves (if you have them)

Registration Site Agenda:

• 7:30: Check-in begins; coffee and donuts will be available
• 7:45-8:15: Pick your volunteer projects
• 8:15: Dr. King Reflection
• 8:30: Group Photo
• 8:40/5: Dispatch volunteers to their volunteer site 

Volunteer Site Agenda:

• 9:00-9:15: Arrive to the Community Sites
• 9:15: Welcome and sign in/community partner’s waivers
• 9:30: Start service projects
• 11:40: Start cleaning up at service project
• 11:45: Parting words and Group Photo
• 12:00: End of Dr. King Day of Service--departure

Organizations offering service projects: 

• Ivey Ranch Park         
• City of Escondido     
• Office of Oceanside Deputy Mayor Eric Joyce   
• Solutions for Change            
• Boys & Girls Club of Vista  
• Operation HOPE - North County       
• North San Diego County NAACP
• Swann-Con

Spring 2026 Spartan Service Saturdays

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These service projects can be used to earn volunteer hours (not for a course) or service learning hours (course-connected). These projects are great because they are already organized, all you have to do is sign-up, show up, and be ready to help the community. We also offer limited transportation to each site from MiraCosta College. 

Opportunity Drawing: As part of our Spartan Service Saturday Projects, we will be offering an Opportunity Drawing during each service project. For those who show up to volunteer during the service project, their name will be entered to win a $50 Visa gift card! Additionally, for students who volunteer during all 4 Spartan Service Saturday Projects (February, March, April, May), they will be entered to receive a $200 Visa gift card!

February Spartan Service Saturday Project - 20 out of 20 available
Organization Name: Operation HOPE-North County
Date: Saturday, February 21st
Time: 10am-1pm
Location: 840 Townsite Dr, Vista, CA 92084
Name of Project: Shelter Upkeep
Description: Help with upkeep at the shelter, miscellaneous tasks (putting shelter beds together, repainting, redecorating, yard work etc.)
Do volunteers need to bring/wear any special equipment: Closed toe shoes, comfortable clothing 
Transportation spots: 10 out of 10 available

March Spartan Service Saturday Project - 20 out of 20 available
Organization Name: Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation
Date: Saturday, March 21
Time: 9am-11am
Location: Agua Hedionda Lagoon Garfield Street Trailhead - 4200 Garfield Street Carlsbad, CA 92008
Name of Project: Hubbs Trail Restoration
Description: Volunteers will help pick up trash, help with trail maintenance and repairs, remove invasive plants, and if available, plant native plants
Do volunteers need to bring/wear any special equipment:  Closed toe shoes, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen are highly recommended.

April Spartan Service Saturday Project - 20 out of 20 available
Organization Name: Community Resource Center
Date: Saturday, April 18th
Time: 9am-11am
Location: 1331 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas, CA 92024
Name of Project: Resale Store Deep Clean
Description: Sort clothing, sort, organize, etc.
Do volunteers need to bring/wear any special equipment: Closed toe shoes, comfortable clothing 
Transportation spots: 10 out of 10 available

May Spartan Service Saturday Project - 20 out of 20 available
Organization Name: Pride by the Beach
Date: Saturday, May 9
Time: 9am-12pm
Location: 1919 Apple Street, Oceanside 
Name of Project: Prep For Pride by the Beach 
Description: Volunteers will be prepping for pride. This includes packing, organizing, crafts, gift bag making.
Do volunteers need to bring or wear anything specific: No
Transportation spots: 10 out of 10 available

Spring 2026 Service Learning & Volunteer Fairs

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Come learn about the volunteer needs, mission, services of various non-profit organizations. There will be food, refreshments, and opportunity drawings for student attendees! Join us for one or both Service Learning & Volunteer Fairs taking place on the following days:

Community Learning Center Fair Details 
Date: Wednesday, February 11th
Time: 11:30AM-1:00PM
Location: 1831 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA (Bldg. 300 Quad)

Oceanside Campus Fair Details 
Date: Thursday, February 19th
Time: 12:00PM-1:30PM
Location: 1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside CA (Clock tower Area)

Reasons to attend:

• Need to find a place to volunteer
• Need experiences for your transfer and scholarship applications
• Building your social & cultural capital
• Meet local non-profit representatives and network
• Need experiences for your resume
• Need a site for your service learning assignment

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation is looking for long-term volunteers to help care for their sweet chickens and lovable pig, Bingo! Chicken Care Shifts: Tuesday–Friday mornings (8:30 AM) and Saturday evenings (3:30 PM). Tasks include Light cleanup, feeding, and quality cuddle time with our feathered ladies. Bingo Care Shift: Monday mornings (8:30 AM) and Afternoon walks needed each day. Tasks include taking Bingo on a stroll, serving up her breakfast, and tidying up her home. Interested in filling any of these shifts? Email volunteer@aguahedionda.org to sign up! Training is provided—no experience needed!

Cardiff Farmers Market is looking for volunteers to assist during their farmers’ market. Volunteers are needed to support the info booth and kid’s activities. To sign up and learn more, contact Berenice Nevarez at Communications@cardiff101.com or 760.498.9509.

Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation is looking for volunteers! Spend a beautiful day of field work beside the Agua Hedionda Lagoon helping restore our Carlsbad trails. We suggest wearing long pants, comfortable shoes, and clothing you don't mind getting dirty. Please bring sunscreen, a hat, and water. The scope of work varies depending on the season and current trail conditions. Projects include native planting, habitat restoration, building and installing oyster wattles, invasive species removal, brushing and trail maintenance, importing and hauling erosion control structure material, graffiti and trash removal, and trail sinkhole repairs. Check all our events on signup genius for a variety of dates and times available to volunteer. For more information, contact Larissa Fullmer at larissa.fullmer@aguahedionda.org or 760.804.1969.

Poinsettia Elementary School is short on campus monitors to cover the recess and lunch periods as listed: 9:55-10:15am, 10:15-10:35am, 11:20am-12:05pm, 12:05-12:50pm. The volunteers will be outside on the blacktop and supervise students while they are having a snack and lunch then go play in the playground structure, blacktop and field.  Volunteers must make sure students don't have "food fights" at the lunch tables, that they play safely on the playground structure and out in the field.  We currently have 3 campus monitors, but we can always use another "pair of eyes". For questions and to sign up, contact Silvia Crowley at scrowley@carlsbadusd.net or 760.331.6595.           

Ivey Ranch Park Association, located off Rancho Del Oro in Oceanside, is seeking volunteers for in-person service opportunities. We have opportunities available during the week and on weekends. Service Projects volunteers assist outdoors with painting, landscaping, gardening, small repairs etc. These one-time volunteer opportunities are ongoing and can be organized for large groups as well. For questions and to sign-up, contact Cynthia Renteria at volunteer@iveyranch.com or 760.722.4839.

Operation HOPE-North County is looking for volunteers to host a Dry goods food drive: This can be done as a group or individually. Date and times can be flexible, you will work within your community, friends and family to collect pasta, rice, beans, etc. to make a one-time drop off at Operation HOPE-North County. These opportunities are flexible and help us provide our community members with staple food items. We serve about 120 families every Wednesday. For questions, contact Evelyn Flores eflores@operationhopeshelter.org. To learn more about our organization, visit operationhopeshelter.org.

Seacrest Village Retirement Communities is looking for volunteers on flexible days between 9:30 am - 11:30 am and 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm! Volunteers are needed to assist staff with organizational projects, such as supply closets, activity supplies, etc. Volunteers will be working under the direction of staff. For more information and to sign-up, contact Sheryl Seltser (Volunteer Liaison) at sseltser@seacrestvillage.org or 760.632.3718. To learn about the organization, visit seacrestvillage.org.