Red Cross Youth Program: A Complete Guide

If you’re a student looking for a way to give back and grow at the same time, the Red Cross Youth Program is a great place to start. Whether it’s hosting a blood drive, helping with disaster relief, or leading a community project, this program lets you make a real impact while learning skills you’ll carry into college and beyond.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the Red Cross Youth Program—what it is, how to join, key dates, eligibility requirements, and the different ways you can get involved.

• What Is the Red Cross Youth Program?
• Red Cross Youth Volunteer Opportunities for High School Students
• Red Cross Youth Program Application Deadlines
• Red Cross Youth Program Requirements
• How to Get into the Red Cross Youth Program
• Why Join the Red Cross Youth Program?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Is the Red Cross Youth Program?

The Red Cross Youth Program is the youth-focused branch of the American Red Cross, designed for students from elementary school through college. It offers opportunities to serve local communities, develop leadership skills, and contribute to humanitarian projects at both the regional and national levels.

At its foundation, the program enables young people to uphold the Red Cross mission: to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

Youth volunteers can join or start a Red Cross Youth Club, apply for leadership programs like the Youth and Young Adult Ambassador Program, or take part in national campaigns such as the IHL Youth Action Campaign or the Summer Series of Service.

Red Cross Youth Volunteer Opportunities for High School Students

The Red Cross Youth Program gives high school students a meaningful way to serve their communities, gain leadership experience, and make a real impact—both locally and around the world. Whether you’re volunteering at a local blood drive, joining a leadership program, or helping with an international campaign, every opportunity through the Red Cross helps you grow as a leader and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Here are some of the main Red Cross Youth volunteer opportunities available for high school students who want to get involved and develop valuable skills along the way:

Local opportunities

At your school or nearby Red Cross chapter, you’ll find plenty of ways to start making a difference:

• Red Cross Youth Clubs. These student-led clubs organize activities like blood drives, health fairs, and community education events. It’s a great way to build teamwork and leadership skills while promoting compassion and service.
• Blood drives and fundraisers. Help save lives by encouraging blood donations or raising money for disaster relief and humanitarian programs.
• Preparedness campaigns and kit drives. Teach families how to stay safe during emergencies or help assemble emergency kits for local communities.
• Service to Armed Forces (SAF) activities. Show support for veterans, active-duty members, and their families through care package projects and appreciation events like Totes of Hope drives or hospital volunteering.

Regional opportunities

If you want to take your involvement to the next level, regional programs connect youth from different schools and chapters:

• Youth and Young Adult Ambassador. Ambassadors lead service projects, represent their regions, and mentor younger volunteers—all while strengthening leadership and communication skills.
• Disaster Action Team (DAT) Training for youth. For students 16 and older, this training prepares you to help during emergencies, from distributing supplies to supporting disaster relief efforts in your community.

National opportunities

The Red Cross also offers national programs for students ready to make a bigger impact:

• National Youth Council (NYC). A team of youth leaders who help shape national Red Cross initiatives and inspire service across the country.
• Workshops and summer leadership programs. These interactive sessions help you learn about humanitarian service, teamwork, and advocacy—skills that can serve you well in college and beyond. A few of them are the National Youth Council Summer Series, National Youth Involvement Month and the Youth Spotlight Features.
• Scholarships and recognition. Dedicated volunteers can earn awards and scholarships, like the Navin Narayan College Scholarship, for their outstanding service.

International Opportunities

For students with a global outlook, the Red Cross offers ways to connect with humanitarian efforts worldwide:

• International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Youth Action Campaign. Learn about global humanitarian issues and lead creative campaigns to raise awareness in your community.
• Global Health & Fundraising Projects. Organize events that support global causes such as the Measles & Rubella Partnership or international disaster relief efforts.
• Restoring family links. Help promote awareness about reuniting families separated by conflict, migration, or disasters.

Red Cross Youth Program Application Deadlines

Becoming a Red Cross Youth volunteer is open year-round, so high school students can join at any time during the school year or summer. You can register through your local Red Cross chapter, start or join a Youth Club at your school, or take part in regional and national programs whenever opportunities are available.

For example, applications for the Navin Narayan College Scholarship were due April 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST.

Applications for the National Youth Council are presently closed, so watch for the next cycle for 2026. Meanwhile, the Youth & Young Adult Ambassador Program doesn’t list a fixed deadline publicly. Instead, the timing tends to follow an annual cycle per region.

Even if a given deadline has passed, that doesn’t prevent you from joining as a general volunteer—many opportunities remain open continuously. Just keep an eye on announcements from your local chapter or the national Red Cross Youth page.

Overall, while there’s no single application deadline to become a Red Cross Youth member, you can stay updated on seasonal or program-specific opportunities by checking their pages on events, scholarships, or leadership roles you might miss.

Red Cross Youth Program Requirements

Getting involved in the Red Cross Youth Program is open to students of all ages, but the exact requirements depend on your grade level, experience, and the type of activity or leadership role you’re aiming for.

Eligibility

The Red Cross Youth Program is open to students from elementary school through young adulthood, with requirements varying by age and program:

For K–12 students:

• Elementary, middle, and high school students can join or start a Red Cross Youth Club.
• Those under 13 may participate with parental consent forms, while students ages 13–18 must register in Volunteer Connection.

For college students:

• Any student enrolled in a two- or four-year college or university may join or lead a Collegiate Red Cross Club.
• College students can also apply for internships, serve on Youth Executive Boards, or take part in regional and national leadership initiatives.

For Youth and Young Adult Ambassadors Program:

• Open to volunteers 24 years old or younger.
• Must have at least one year of active Red Cross service and demonstrated leadership experience in clubs or youth engagement roles.

For scholarships and awards:

• Navin Narayan College Scholarship. Two years of volunteer service, strong academics, leadership roles.
• Jane Delano Student Nurse Scholarship. Open to nursing students who have volunteered with the Red Cross.
• James H. Parke Memorial Scholarship. For youth under 19 who have completed 100+ volunteer hours with the VA.
• Leaders Save Lives Scholarship. For high school and college students who organize blood drives, with awards based on pints collected.

Required documents

To become an official Red Cross Youth Volunteer, students must complete the following:

• Volunteer Connection registration. All youth ages 13+ must register online with up-to-date contact details.
• Parental consent forms. Required for minors during the registration process.
• Resume or activity history (for Ambassadors). Applicants must provide a one-page resume summarizing their service, leadership, and achievements.
• Scholarship applications. Typically include transcripts, essays, recommendation forms, and service records, depending on the award you’re applying for.

Program costs

One of the biggest advantages of the Red Cross Youth Program is that it is free to join. There are no costs to apply for clubs, ambassadors programs, and scholarships and awards.

However, volunteers may need to cover personal expenses for travel to meetings or events—but most training, toolkits, and resources are provided by the Red Cross.

In short, the Red Cross Youth Program is designed to be accessible. As long as you meet the age and service requirements, complete the necessary documents, and stay active in Volunteer Connection, you’ll have opportunities to grow as a leader and serve your community with no financial barrier to entry.

How to Get into the Red Cross Youth Program

If you’re wondering how to join the Red Cross Youth Program, the process is simple but does involve a few important steps. Here’s your roadmap:

Step 1: Register online.

Begin by signing up on the Volunteer Connection system, the official Red Cross volunteer portal. Create your profile with accurate contact information, list your interests, and select “youth volunteer” if applicable.

If you are under 18, you’ll need to provide a parent or guardian’s contact information. Youth under 13 cannot create their own online profile but can still participate by submitting a parental consent form through their local Red Cross region.

Completing Volunteer Connection is essential since it’s how your service hours, activities, and leadership roles will be tracked and recognized.

Step 2: Join or start a Red Cross Youth Club.

Check first if your school, college, or community already has a Red Cross Youth Club. You can search the Red Cross Youth Club directory or ask your local chapter.

If no club exists, you can start one by following these steps:

1. Gather 3–6 peers interested in volunteering.
2. Secure a faculty or staff advisor (or a parent/community volunteer) to sponsor the club.
3. Use the Club in a Box Toolkit provided by the Red Cross, which includes templates for constitutions, event planning guides, and sample activities.

Clubs typically meet monthly and plan service projects, fundraising drives, and outreach activities.

Step 3: Connect with your local Red Cross region.

Each youth volunteer is connected with a Youth Engagement Lead or a Volunteer Services supervisor from their nearest Red Cross chapter. This person provides orientation, training opportunities, and activity approval to ensure your projects align with Red Cross standards.

Staying connected to your regional chapter is important for accessing resources, toolkits, and larger events like mock disaster drills or regional service campaigns. Because of that, you should build a strong relationship with your Youth Engagement Lead so they’ll gladly connect you to leadership roles, scholarships, and national opportunities.

Step 4: Choose your activities.

The Red Cross Youth Program allows you to get involved in a wide variety of service areas. Some activities require additional training or age minimums. But, in general, here are the activities you can participate in:

• Blood services. Support lifesaving efforts by recruiting donors, volunteering at blood drives, and organizing creative campaigns to boost donations.
• Preparedness and safety. Help your community stay ready for emergencies through workshops, kit drives, awareness campaigns, and CPR/First Aid training. This is for members 16 years old and above.
• Disaster response. Train and volunteer in disaster preparedness and relief by assembling kits, joining drills, and assisting as part of Disaster Action Teams. This is also only for members who are 16 years old and above.
• International services. Promote global humanitarian awareness by leading campaigns like the IHL Youth Action Campaign, fundraising for health initiatives, and hosting educational events.
• Service to Armed Forces (SAF). Show support for veterans and military families by creating care kits, volunteering at VA hospitals, and organizing special events.
• Fundraising. Raise vital funds for Red Cross initiatives through coin drives, peer-to-peer campaigns, and service-based community events.

The great thing about the Red Cross Youth Program is that you don’t have to choose just one area—many youth combine multiple activities, gaining a well-rounded experience.

Step 5: Apply for leadership opportunities.

Once you’ve gained some experience as a Red Cross youth volunteer, you can step into leadership roles:

• Youth and Young Adult Ambassador Program. Represent your Red Cross region nationally, collaborating with the National Youth Council.
• National Youth Council (NYC). Apply to join the 15-member council that guides youth engagement strategies nationwide.
• Youth executive boards. Help guide programming for your local chapter or region.
• Club leadership. Serve as president, vice president, secretary, or project leader in your Red Cross Youth Club.

Leadership roles deepen your impact and strengthen your eligibility for scholarships like the Navin Narayan College Scholarship or recognition programs like the Youth Spotlight.

Why Join the Red Cross Youth Program?

Why join Red Cross Youth? The answer is simple: it’s one of the best ways to give back, grow as a leader, and set yourself up for future opportunities. Here’s what you’ll gain:

1. Build leadership skills.

As a Red Cross youth volunteer, you’ll step into real leadership roles—planning events, running fundraisers, speaking to groups, and even responding to community needs. Along the way, you’ll also build practical skills like teamwork, organization, public speaking, and problem-solving that will benefit you in school, college, and beyond.

2. Make a lasting impact.

Red Cross activities are about making a real difference. You might help run a blood drive that saves lives, organize a preparedness workshop for your community, or create care packages for veterans or disaster survivors. Every project you lead leaves a lasting impact.

3. Earn scholarships and recognition.

The Red Cross loves to recognize youth volunteers who go above and beyond. From the Navin Narayan College Scholarship for high school seniors to the Jane Delano Nursing Scholarship for aspiring nurses, there are awards that support both service and academics. You could even be featured in the Youth Spotlight Program, earning national recognition for your work.

4. Connect with a national network.

Joining Red Cross Youth means joining a nationwide community of changemakers. Through newsletters, online groups, and national campaigns like the Summer Series of Service, you’ll connect with peers across the country. It’s a chance to make friends, share ideas, and learn from others who are just as passionate as you are.

5. Strengthen your college applications.

Volunteering can boost your college application, and including the Red Cross can signal to admissions officers that you have commitment and initiative. Having leadership experience in a trusted, global organization can also give you powerful stories to share in essays and interviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What do Red Cross Youth volunteers do?

Youth volunteers support their communities through a wide range of activities—hosting blood drives, running preparedness workshops, assisting in disaster response, creating care packages for veterans, and even leading international awareness campaigns.

2. When does the Red Cross Youth Program run?

The program runs year-round. However, certain opportunities (like the Summer Series of Service, the IHL Youth Action Campaign, and scholarship deadlines) follow seasonal or academic-year schedules.

3. Who can join the Red Cross Youth Program?

Any student from elementary through college can participate. However, certain programs have age limits. For example, ambassadors must be 24 or younger, and those under 13 need parental consent to join.

4. Does it cost anything to join?

No, the Red Cross Youth Program is free to join. However, you might need to shoulder costs for travel to meetings or events.

5. How do I apply to join?

Start by registering through Volunteer Connection, then either join an existing Red Cross Youth Club or use the Club in a Box toolkit to start your own. From there, you can connect with local leaders and choose service opportunities that match your interests.

Takeaways

• Opportunities as a member of the Red Cross Youth Program are flexible and year-round. You can get involved at the local, regional, national, or even international level.
• There’s no cost to join, with toolkits, training, and resources provided by the Red Cross, plus scholarships available to support your education.
• You’ll build valuable skills in leadership, project management, and community service that prepare you for college and future careers.
• Youth involvement is highly recognized through programs like the Youth Spotlight, Ambassador Program, and national leadership councils.
• Get expert guidance to maximize your impact. If you’re serious about using your Red Cross Youth experience, consider working with a college admissions consultant to help strengthen your college applications.