Young Volunteers Guide

Haven't completed your 100 community service hours for the year yet?  Need help figuring out where to go and what to do?  

Volunteers of America has published a Young Volunteers guide that provides suggestions for volunteering as well as a list of organizations in the New York City area that could use your help.

View the guide here.

Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)

The Fashion Institute of Technology’s Precollege Programs, a division of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, offers classes for high school and middle school students to explore art and design, business and technology majors and develop art and design portfolios.

To fulfill its mission, Precollege Programs offers a wide variety of credit and non-credit courses to high school and middle school students, including courses taught by FIT faculty; online courses; and partnership programs with high schools in the New York City area.

Monday through Thursday for 3 weeks, July 12 through July 29, 2010

9:30 am-12:30 pm; 1:30 pm-4:30 pm.

Online registration begins April 13, 2010 at 6am

Visit their website for more information or email them at PrecollegePrograms@fitnyc.edu.

The Neighborhood Playhouse Junior School - Theater

Study theatre in the heart of New York City – at the school where the Meisner technique was born. 
The Neighborhood Playhouse Junior School offers three summer camps:Emerging Artists Musical Theatre (ages 9 – 13) 
Teen Conservatory Musical Theatre (ages 14 – 18)
Teen Conservatory Acting Intensive (ages 13 – 18)Musical Theatre students take classes in acting, dance, singing and improv, and rehearse for Friday’s showcase.  Acting Conservatory students take classes in acting, improv, technique and movement for the actor and rehearse for Friday’s showcase.Teachers are mature NYC professionals who understand both the business of the theatre and the importance of working with young people in a nurturing, positive environment.  New material is chosen each week to support the talents of every student.  Only 20 students are accepted in each camp, so register early to avoid disappointment!  You may register for one, two or all three weeks.

Program Information:
Emerging Artists Musical Theatre (ages 9 – 13)
2010: July 19 -23; July 26-30; August 2 - 6 -- from 10:30am -5:30pm
Cost: $299/week early bird paid by April 1, $359/week after April 1 
Ask about before and after care options.Musical Theatre Workshop - Ages 14-18 
2010: July 19 - 23, July 26 - 30, August 2 - 6 -- from 10:30am- 5:30pm
Cost: $299/week early bird paid by April 1, $359/week after April 1Acting Intensive Workshop - Ages 13 - 18 
2010: July 19 - 23, July 26 - 30, August 2 - 6 -- from 10:30am- 5:30pm 
Cost: $249/week early bird paid by April 1, $299/week after April 1

Please send an e-mail to playhousejuniors@gmail.com to express interest in the summer program.  

School of Cinema and Performing Arts

Join the next generation of visual and performing artists at the School of Cinema and Performing Arts (SOCAPA). With teen and youth summer programs ranging in length from two to six weeks, and campuses in New York, California and Vermont there's no excuse for not taking action.

Since it was founded in 1998, SOCAPA has quickly become one of the premier visual and performing arts programs for young people in the world. Nowhere else will you find this level of creative intensity combined with this much fun. Whether you are acting in a film along Lake Champlain, dancing in a hip-hop video under the Brooklyn Bridge, or conducting a fashion shoot on Venice Beach, you're sure to have the experience of a lifetime! 

Programs include filmmaking, acting, dance, and photography.

Dates: Programs run throughout the summer.  Visit their website for a complete list of programs and dates. 

Cost: Tuition ranges from $1050 - $2940, depending on the program and its length.

Visit their website for more information about the application process.

Outward Bound

Outward Bound is a non-profit educational organization that serves people of all ages and backgrounds through active learning expeditions that inspire character development, self-discovery and service both in and out of the classroom. Outward Bound delivers programs using unfamiliar settings as a way for participants across the country to experience adventure and challenge in a way that helps students realize they can do more than they thought possible.

Programs are available for students ages 12-16 and include trips such as boundary water canoeing, rock climbing, backpacking and sea kayaking.  A list of available programs can be found at their website.

Length: Programs run anywhere from 7 to 28 days, beginning as early as June.  

Cost: Costs range from $1200-$4000 depending on the program and its length.

Scholarships

Outward Bound courses create young leaders through educational programs in the wilderness. Our Scholarship Program is guided by a single principle: Every person should be given the opportunity to experience adventure and challenge, develop character and compassion, and learn leadership skills and service ethics, regardless of financial ability. Moreover, we bring together diverse groups of students to instill cultural understanding and teamwork skills that enable them to become principled leaders. Thanks to generous donations from alumni, parents, corporations, foundations, and others, Outward Bound awards up to $3.7 million in scholarships to 6,000 students each year.

Applications

In order to apply, Call an Admissions Advisor at (toll-free) 866-467-7651 between 8-5 MST

Work at the New York Public Library

Positions as paid pages are available for students ages 14 and up.  Students must apply in person at the 42nd Street and Fifth Ave branch.

Call 212-592-7300 for more information.

New York City Youthline

Call this information and referral line to find out about employment options for teenagers, afterschool programs, recreational sports, and other services.

1-800-246-4646 or

1-800-246-4699

The Door

The Door’s mission is to empower young people to reach their potential by providing comprehensive youth development services in a diverse and caring environment. Since 1972, The Door has practiced a holistic and human approach to helping each individual member dismantle the complex barriers that often stand in the way of success.

Programs:
College Advisement & Tutoring
Counseling
Creative Arts
English Language (ESOL)
Foster Care
GED
Health & Dental Services
Jobs & Internships
Leadership
Legal & Immigration Services
LGBTQ
Recreation
Runaway and Homeless Youth
Sexual Health & Birth Control

The Door’s current hours of operation are:
Monday - 2:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday through Thursday - 12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday - 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday (Drop-in services only) - 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

You can find more information at their website.

Summer Opportunities Survey

Please click on the link below to take the survey.

Click here to take survey

Department of Environmental Conservation Summer Camp

At DEC environmental education camps, campers experience a balance of environmental education, sportsman education and outdoor fun. Games, lessons and hands-on activities teach kids about forests, water quality and other aspects of nature. Swimming, hiking and canoeing are on the agenda, too, as campers learn new outdoor skills. Campers come away with a life-long passion for nature and a dedication to stewardship of our natural resources. DEC programs are for boys and girls ages 12 to 17. Four camps in New York State -- Colby (Northern Adirondacks), Pack Forest (Southern Adirondacks), DeBruce (Catskills) and Rushford (Western NY) -- host youth 12 to 14 years old. DEC also offers week-long Ecology Workshops for teens 15 to 17 years old at Pack Forest and Rushford. Complete information about the camps is available here.

Application forms are available here or by calling DEC Camps at 518-402-8014. We began accepting applications postmarked February 6, 2010 for campers sponsored by an organization (organization pays $325 camp fee). Parents paying the $325 camp fee directly can mail applications in with a postmark no earlier than February 27, 2010. Mail: DEC Camps, 625 Broadway, 2nd Floor, Albany, NY 12233-4500

Cost: $325 per week per child
Transportation: Parents/Sponsoring organization must make arrangements to get campers to camp
Camps are one week long starting June 27th and running through August 21st

Camp Kadia - Free 2 Week Camp

Camp Kadia is a scholarship-based, overnight summer program for New York City teenagers. The camp is located in Liberty, New York.

Campers explore their creativity through visual and performing arts; learn basic skills for survival in the wilderness; develop strong, trusting relationships with their peers and adults; discuss social issues that affect their communities at home; and work together to create a self-sufficient community in a natural setting. When the summer ends, the young people are left with a network of adults and peers who support them throughout the year informally and at organized monthly activities.

You can find the application here. Please submit ASAP in order to provide your child with the best chances of getting in.

Girls Quest - SEED Summer Camp

Our Summer Experiential Education and Development (SEED) Program is our signature program, the fulcrum of all of our programming and the point of entry for all girls who join Girls Quest. Each year, over 300 girls attend this two-week program at our bucolic summer site, Camp Oh-Neh-Tah, in East Windham, NY. This goal-oriented summer camp program helps to lessen the Summer Learning Gap by providing activities that stimulate girls' learning and emotional development in an environment that is safe and nurturing while challenging girls to strive to their best potentials.

Program activities include swimming, boating, hiking, ceramics, archery, low and high ropes course, and outdoor education. Please visit Girls Quest for more information.

You can find the application here.

There is a $40 non-refundable application fee. We accept only money orders or cash. No personal checks, please.

SEED tuition is on a sliding scale dependent upon family income and number of people in the household. SEED tuition ranges from $110 to $500.

New York Botanical Garden - Explainer Program (13+)

Are you are a middle or high school student between the ages of 13 and 17 who's looking for an exciting and rewarding activity? Do you want to learn about plants, nature, and science? Do you enjoy the outdoors? Would you enjoy mentoring and working with young children? If you answered yes to any of these questions, check out The New York Botanical Garden's Explainer Program.

The Garden's Intern Explainer Program offers a great opportunity to make new friends, learn about plants, develop new skills, and receive personal mentoring and hands-on training. In return, you volunteer your time in the Everett Children's Adventure Garden to help facilitate programs and offer assistance to visitors of this world-class institution.

Expectations of an Explainer:
Volunteer 125 hours over a six-month period (at least one 4 1/2 hour shift once a week.
Attend four training sessions (hours are counted toward the required 125)

Visit their open house on May 22 at from 2-4 pm for more information.
Download an application here.

Lehman College - Pre College Summer Program

Lehman College Continuing Education has a well-established program of educational, creative and athletic courses specifically developed for young people. They offer classes for all ages - from kindergarten readiness to college prep. Class sections are available by age and skill level, so students will always feel comfortable and confident. Academic courses supplement school subjects by providing intensive, focused learning with small class sizes and attentive teachers. The early childhood and teen test preparation courses give students the tools and the skills they need to achieve academic success. Through creative arts and computer classes, young people are able to explore their own imaginations and build valuable skills that they might not have the opportunity to develop elsewhere. Lehman also offers a wide range of physical fitness classes that help students gain agility, strength, and coordination.

Call (718) 960-8512 for more information.

Summer Youth Police Academy

The New York City Police Department seeks to provide innovative and effective programs for the City’s young people. The Community Affairs Bureau, Youth Police Academy, is such a program. It is designed to establish a positive relationship between the Police Department and the City’s youth.

The Youth Police Academy will provide those participating in the program with lunch and uniform shirts. The 2009 Youth Police Academy is a six (6) week program that will hold sessions four (4) days a week. The Academy will open at 8:30 am in the morning and dismissal will be 2:00 pm in the afternoon. Students will attend classroom sessions with lectures, role-plays and topical demonstrations by police officers in the areas of law, behavioral science, drug prevention and gang resistance. Field trips to a Police Department facility or a City park are also part of the curriculum.

Apply between April 24 - June 16. Mail completed applications to:
N.Y.P.D. Youth Services Section
YPA 2009
189 Montague Street
Brooklyn NY 11201

Academy begins Monday, July 7 and ends on Thursday, August 14.

New York City residents, attending school, between the ages of 10 and 17 are eligible to attend.

Applications can be found here.

Bronx Location
Harry S. Truman H.S.
750 Baychester Ave
Bronx, NY 10475

This is a free program.

Next Generation Center

The Next Generation Center (NGC) is a one-stop center designed to meet the needs of young people transitioning to adulthood and self-sufficiency.

The mission of NGC is to provide support, guidance, training and opportunities to young people, ages 14 to 24, in the Bronx.

We offer youth leadership and life skills training, technology instruction, job readiness & job development services, educational guidance & tutoring, legal advocacy, housing assistance, creative and visual arts, and recreation.

Bronx Zoo - Animal Kingdom Camp

This summer your 8 to 12 year old child can explore the wonders of wildlife during an unforgettable week at Animal Kingdom Camp. Whether setting out on an African safari to see lions, wild dogs, and giraffes; exploring tropical forests in search of endangered lowland gorillas; or trekking through mountains in search of a rare, spotted Himalayan cat, children will discover the amazing diversity of the animal kingdom.

This year’s Animal Kingdom Camp is chock-full of new activities, so last year’s campers are welcome to return.

During five days of exploration and excitement, your child will:

discover rare animals in our new Madagascar! exhibit

visit the zoo's boisterous pack of African wild dogs

explore the beautiful Butterfly Garden

travel through Tiger Mountain

journey to the spectacular Congo Gorilla Forest

ride the Wild Asia Monorail

design their own day of zoo adventure

observe mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians up close each day

learn ways they can protect animals and habitats

Children will not be admitted to camp unless parents have submitted a health form signed by a physican four weeks prior to the selected session.

Sessions are available throughout the summer. Visit the zoo's website for more information.

Cost: Members - $335, Non-members - $350

Botanical Gardens Summer Program

Experience the joy and satisfaction of gardening. Guided by instructors, children tend plots of vegetables, flowers, and herbs. The plant, weed, water, harvest fresh produce, taste-test their hard work, and observe nature first-hand. They cook, create nature crafts, explore the Garden grounds, make new friends, and make a lasting connection to nature.

Each gardening season--spring, summer, and fall--has its own special delights and activities. Register for one, two, or three seasons. The program runs rain or shine, and regular attendance is required.

The summer program is 6 Tuesdays and 6 Thursdays (July 6 - August 12) from 9:00-11:30 a.m.

Cost:
$180 for Non-Members and $165 for Members
Partial Scholarships are available. Scholarship Applications can be found here.

Mail your registration form to the Children's Gardening Program, The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY 10458-5126. Payment must be received two weeks prior to the start of the program. Make checks payable to the New York Botanical Garden. Those paying by credit card may register by phone at 718-817-8181 or fax at 718-817-8829 (Attention Children's Gardening Program).

Bronx River Art Center

Art Classes for youth (ages 9-21) are offered at the Bronx River Art Center (located at 1087 E. Tremont Ave). The classes are taught by professional artists, and they span the areas of Painting, Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, Ceramics, Digital Media and Special Teen Project Studios.

Registration for Summer 2009 semester is held Saturday, June 27th – Saturday, July 4th
Sign up for our FREE art classes for youth ages 9-21, and affordable adult classes and workshops! First come, first serve

Classes are held on Saturdays from 12:30pm-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday from 3:30pm-6:30pm

Please bring the following to registration.

• Your child's school name and address.
• The name and number of your child's doctor/health care clinic, or your requirements for an emergency.
• An emergency contact person's name and number.
• A copy of your child's most current report card. Our mission is to help them educationally, as well as artistically.
• Include the best way to contact you, whether it's via email, mail, or by telephone.
• Please give current functional contact information.
• Most importantly, at the time of registration, please bring your child with you and help them pick their own classes. It has been shown that students will not attend classes if it has been chosen for them and they do not like the subject. This leads to them cutting classes, telling you they are coming here when they are not.

Explorers Program - Urban Park Rangers

Every weekend in all five boroughs there's an Explorer Program in a park near you. Families, adults and seniors are welcome at these evening and weekend programs. Developed in conjunction with the National Geographic Society, these programs help you experience New York City's vast acres of parkland as you never have before and discover areas you never knew existed. You'll forget you're in the city entirely! Programs last about an hour and a half unless otherwise specified, and are guaranteed to bring out the explorer in everyone. Activities include canoeing, fishing, hiking, and arts.

Find upcoming programs here.

This is a free program.