Youth Leadership Program
Program Questions
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
If you or your child is in middle or high school, has an interest in volunteering and wants to practice their leadership skills, this program may be right for you!
Applications for summer 2018 are closed and participants have been selected. To apply for summer 2019, continue to check our Youth Leadership Program page throughout the next school year.
Applications for summer 2018 are closed and participants have been selected. To apply for summer 2019, continue to check our Youth Leadership Program page throughout the next school year.
DO THESE PROGRAMS HAVE FEES?
Yes, program fees cover the cost of training activities, supplies, and t-shirts. The Teen Lead Program costs $150, with a discounted rate of $135 for Family Sponsors. The Teen Co-Lead Program costs $125, with a discounted rate of $110 for Family Sponsors.
Limited scholarships are available. To qualify for a scholarship, applicants must:
Please contact Youth Leadership Director Jennifer Himstedt at jennifer@generationserve.org for more information.
Limited scholarships are available. To qualify for a scholarship, applicants must:
- Submit a completed Teen Leadership Application, be available to attend the scheduled group interview, and be selected to participate in the program
- Have access to transportation to assignments
- Commit to program and required meetings and activities
- Demonstrate financial need
Please contact Youth Leadership Director Jennifer Himstedt at jennifer@generationserve.org for more information.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TEEN CO-LEAD PROGRAM AND THE TEEN LEAD PROGRAM?
The Teen Co-Lead Program is for students attending middle school (6th - 8th grade) in the 2018-19 school year. These students will be trained to co-lead Generation SERVE family volunteer activities alongside experienced Activity Leads.
The Teen Lead Program is for students attending high school (9th - 12th grade) in the 2018-19 school year. These students will be trained to lead Generation SERVE’s family volunteer activities on their own.
The Teen Lead Program is for students attending high school (9th - 12th grade) in the 2018-19 school year. These students will be trained to lead Generation SERVE’s family volunteer activities on their own.
WHAT IS A TEAM HUDDLE OR CREW CLUSTER?
Team Huddles are Teen Lead Program participants’ opportunity to meet beyond their orientation to plan a group fundraiser, train their guardians to assist them as Teen Leads, reflect on their experiences at activities, get additional training, and participate in team-building activities with their peers.
Crew Clusters are Teen Co-Lead Program participants’ opportunity to meet beyond their orientation to plan a group project, reflect on their experiences at activities, get additional training, enhance their knowledge about Generation SERVE programs, and participate in team-building activities with their peers.
Crew Clusters are Teen Co-Lead Program participants’ opportunity to meet beyond their orientation to plan a group project, reflect on their experiences at activities, get additional training, enhance their knowledge about Generation SERVE programs, and participate in team-building activities with their peers.
WHAT ACTIVITIES WILL PARTICIPANTS TAKE PART IN THIS SUMMER?
Participants will start the program with Orientation, a hands-on, interactive training period that will prepare them to lead and co-lead activities as well as get acquainted with their peers.
Teen Lead Program participants will co-lead at least 4 service activities and lead at least 3 service activities throughout the summer. Their Team Huddles will cover resume-building and fundraising training. They will also work as a group to complete a fundraiser for Foundation Communities (June cohort) or STARRY (July cohort).
Teen Co-Lead Program participants will co-lead at least 4 service activities throughout the summer. Their Crew Clusters will cover team-building and decision-making skills. They will work as a group to complete a service project together. Participants will also complete an independent extension project addressing the community need of their choice.
Teen Lead Program participants will co-lead at least 4 service activities and lead at least 3 service activities throughout the summer. Their Team Huddles will cover resume-building and fundraising training. They will also work as a group to complete a fundraiser for Foundation Communities (June cohort) or STARRY (July cohort).
Teen Co-Lead Program participants will co-lead at least 4 service activities throughout the summer. Their Crew Clusters will cover team-building and decision-making skills. They will work as a group to complete a service project together. Participants will also complete an independent extension project addressing the community need of their choice.
DO GUARDIANS ATTEND WITH THEIR TEENS?
Guardians of Teen Lead Program participants are required to attend one Guardian Training and all instances when their teen is leading an activity on their own. They must also assist their teen with transportation to and from all activities and training sessions, in addition to helping teens pick up and drop off supplies at the Generation SERVE office when leading an activity on their own.
Guardians of Teen Co-Lead Program participants are required to assist their teen with transportation to and from all activities and training sessions. We also ask that guardians assist teens with their independent extension project as needed.
All other training and activities will be supervised by Generation SERVE staff and/or Activity Leads, unless otherwise stated. Guardians will be provided with an agreement outlining their responsibilities throughout the course of the program.
Guardians of Teen Co-Lead Program participants are required to assist their teen with transportation to and from all activities and training sessions. We also ask that guardians assist teens with their independent extension project as needed.
All other training and activities will be supervised by Generation SERVE staff and/or Activity Leads, unless otherwise stated. Guardians will be provided with an agreement outlining their responsibilities throughout the course of the program.
WHERE DOES THE PROGRAM TAKE PLACE?
Orientation, training, Crew Clusters and Team Huddles will all take place at Generation SERVE’s office at 8711 Burnet Road, Suite B-33.
Both Youth Leadership Programs require participants to sign up for at least 4 activities as a co-lead, and the Teen Lead Program also requires participants to lead at least 3 activities on their own. These family volunteer activities are chosen by participants from Generation SERVE’s full monthly list of opportunities. Many activities take place on-site at various nonprofit partners’ facilities, while some take place at Generation SERVE’s office.
Teen Co-Leads will also work on an independent extension project. The location where this will be completed is dependent upon each teen’s individual project. Teen Leads may need to travel to the location of the benefiting nonprofit for their group fundraiser.
All Youth Leadership Program participants will be required to attend Generation SERVE’s Volunteer Recognition Party in September, location to be determined.
Both Youth Leadership Programs require participants to sign up for at least 4 activities as a co-lead, and the Teen Lead Program also requires participants to lead at least 3 activities on their own. These family volunteer activities are chosen by participants from Generation SERVE’s full monthly list of opportunities. Many activities take place on-site at various nonprofit partners’ facilities, while some take place at Generation SERVE’s office.
Teen Co-Leads will also work on an independent extension project. The location where this will be completed is dependent upon each teen’s individual project. Teen Leads may need to travel to the location of the benefiting nonprofit for their group fundraiser.
All Youth Leadership Program participants will be required to attend Generation SERVE’s Volunteer Recognition Party in September, location to be determined.
I'M A FAMILY SPONSOR. IS MY ACCEPTANCE GUARANTEED?
Our Family Sponsors receive a discount on Service Learning and Youth Leadership program fees, but they are not guaranteed acceptance into our programs. Teens' availability, completed application, two completed references and group interview performance are all taken into account when accepting applicants.
Application Questions
WHAT DO APPLICATIONS ENTAIL?
Applications include:
After your application is submitted, our Youth Leadership Director Jennifer Himstedt (jennifer@generationserve.org) will reach out to your references for more information and send you our Guardian Agreement form. Applications for summer 2018 are now closed.
- One section with basic information, short answer questions, and availability
- Another section for your academic and personal references’ contact information
After your application is submitted, our Youth Leadership Director Jennifer Himstedt (jennifer@generationserve.org) will reach out to your references for more information and send you our Guardian Agreement form. Applications for summer 2018 are now closed.
WHAT DOES THE GROUP INTERVIEW ENTAIL?
After reviewing all applications, our team will select applicants to invite to a group interview. This interview is designed to be fun, collaborative and give everyone a chance to shine! It will consist of large and small group activities, as well as a short question and answer period.
We look for motivated and inclusive candidates who are ready to have fun while learning!
We look for motivated and inclusive candidates who are ready to have fun while learning!
WHO WOULD MAKE A GOOD PERSONAL REFERENCE?
For your personal reference, someone who knows you outside of the typical school day would be ideal. This may be a coach, youth group leader, neighbor or family friend. Your reference will need to speak to your leadership potential, how responsible you are and your ability to follow through with commitments.
IS THERE A FORM THAT I CAN SHOW MY REFERENCES WHEN ASKING FOR REFERRALS?
Once we receive your application, we will send out academic and personal referral forms directly to your references via email. Questions include how many years you’ve known each other, their relationship to you, multiple choice questions about your skill set and an open-ended question where they can include any further comments.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP?
Generation SERVE offers a limited number of scholarships to families in need on a first come, first served basis (pending acceptance into the program).
To qualify for a scholarship, applicants must:
Please contact Youth Leadership Director Jennifer Himstedt at jennifer@generationserve.org for more information.
To qualify for a scholarship, applicants must:
- Submit a completed Teen Leadership Application, be available to attend the scheduled group interview, and be selected to participate in the program
- Have access to transportation to assignments
- Commit to program and required meetings and activities
- Demonstrate financial need
Please contact Youth Leadership Director Jennifer Himstedt at jennifer@generationserve.org for more information.
I'M GOING ON VACATION THIS SUMMER. CAN I STILL PARTICIPATE?
Although programs are designed to be summer-long opportunities, there is some flexibility for vacations and holidays. All participants are required to attend the training dates listed on our Youth Leadership page. Availability will be taken into account when reviewing applications.
Feel free to email Youth Leadership Director Jennifer Himstedt at jennifer@generationserve.org with any questions or concerns about specific dates.
Feel free to email Youth Leadership Director Jennifer Himstedt at jennifer@generationserve.org with any questions or concerns about specific dates.
WHAT IF I DID THE PROGRAM LAST YEAR?
Graduates of our past Youth Leadership Programs are invited to get involved in this year’s summer program by participating in sessions and mentoring the new cohorts. You are also welcome to continue co-leading activities.
If you participated in our Teen Co-Lead Program last year and you are entering high school this year, you are welcome to apply to our Teen Lead Program through the regular application process.
If you participated in our Teen Co-Lead Program last year and you are entering high school this year, you are welcome to apply to our Teen Lead Program through the regular application process.
CAN I PARTICIPATE IN BOTH PROGRAMS?
If you participated in the Teen Co-Lead Program as a middle school student and are now entering high school, you are welcome to apply to the Teen Lead Program through the regular application process.
You can only participate in each program once, but they are designed with built-in opportunities to keep you engaged with Generation SERVE programs after the conclusion of the program. Graduates of our past Youth Leadership Programs are invited to mentor new participants, co-lead activities, volunteer at service events and consider joining our Teen Advisory Board. Contact Jennifer Himstedt at jennifer@generationserve.org for more information.
You can only participate in each program once, but they are designed with built-in opportunities to keep you engaged with Generation SERVE programs after the conclusion of the program. Graduates of our past Youth Leadership Programs are invited to mentor new participants, co-lead activities, volunteer at service events and consider joining our Teen Advisory Board. Contact Jennifer Himstedt at jennifer@generationserve.org for more information.
Can my teen still apply if we missed the information session?
Yes! The info sessions were completely optional. Teens are welcome to apply even if unable to make either session.