Volunteer Project Idea: Senior Olympics

Do you like a little friendly competition between friends? We’ve got a fun project idea that will allow you to bring out your competitive side while brightening up someone’s day. Hold a Senior Olympics event at a local retirement home!

Here’s how:

1. 1. Identify a local retirement home or senior center that is looking for volunteers to come socialize with their residents. Contact the center (the Activities Director is generally a good person to talk to) to see if they would be interested in holding a Senior Olympics.
2. 2. Recruit other volunteers who are excited about helping the elderly in a little friendly competition.
3. 3. Work with the retirement home to plan out some appropriate activities. Some ideas for Olympic sporting events are: Balloon volleyball, beanbag toss, wheelchair races, yoga, etc.
4. 4. Gather any supplies you might need for your activities. Don’t forget to plan an Award Ceremony with a few special ribbons or trophies!
5. 5. Create some fliers that the retirement home staff can post around the building announcing the games.
6. 6. Hold your Olympics!
7. 7. Thank your volunteers and “athletes” for participating.

Looking for more service project ideas? Check out our other project ideas we’ve posted so far this year:  Scavenger Hunt Food Drive and Park Cleanup, and stay updated on this monthly series by signing up for our newsletter: