Teen Leadership Program
Program Questions
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
If you or your child is 13 or older, has an interest in volunteering and wants to practice their leadership skills, this program may be right for you!
Applications for summer 2020 will open in February. To learn more, check out our Teen Leadership Program page.
Applications for summer 2020 will open in February. To learn more, check out our Teen Leadership Program page.
DO THESE PROGRAMS HAVE FEES?
Yes, we collect program fees to cover the cost of training activities and supplies. Our 2020 program fee structure is below:
We do offer fee assistance for families with a demonstrated financial need. We also offer payment plans to any family who requests one.
Program fees and requests for fee assistance will be processed after teens are notified of their acceptance into the program.
- Teen Co-Lead Program - $170 for Family Sponsors, $180 for non-sponsors
- Teen Lead Program - $190 for Family Sponsors, $200 for non-sponsors
We do offer fee assistance for families with a demonstrated financial need. We also offer payment plans to any family who requests one.
Program fees and requests for fee assistance will be processed after teens are notified of their acceptance into the program.
DO YOU OFFER FEE ASSISTANCE?
Yes, we offer fee assistance to families with a demonstrated financial need. Families approved for fee assistance will have the full cost of their program fee covered.
Interested families can learn more on our fee assistance page and apply using our Fee Assistance Form.
Teens applying for fee assistance must have been accepted into the program, commit to all program dates and have reliable access to transportation. Requests for fee assistance will be processed after families are notified of acceptance into the program.
There is no need to apply for fee assistance prior to being accepted into the program. Early or prior requests for fee assistance will not be taken into account when considering teens for acceptance into the Teen Leadership Program.
Interested families can learn more on our fee assistance page and apply using our Fee Assistance Form.
Teens applying for fee assistance must have been accepted into the program, commit to all program dates and have reliable access to transportation. Requests for fee assistance will be processed after families are notified of acceptance into the program.
There is no need to apply for fee assistance prior to being accepted into the program. Early or prior requests for fee assistance will not be taken into account when considering teens for acceptance into the Teen Leadership Program.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TEEN CO-LEAD PROGRAM AND THE TEEN LEAD PROGRAM?
Teen Co-Leads will practice their leadership skills by co-leading Generation SERVE activities alongside experienced Activity Leads. Teen Leads will practice their leadership skills by leading Generation SERVE activities on their own.
WHAT ACTIVITIES WILL PARTICIPANTS TAKE PART IN THIS SUMMER?
Participants will receive hands-on, interactive training in leadership, service and teamwork alongside their peers.
Teen Lead Program participants will practice leading and co-leading Generation SERVE activities throughout the summer. They will work as a group to design and implement their own community service project.
Teen Co-Lead Program participants will practice co-leading activities throughout the summer. Participants will also complete an independent project addressing the community need of their choice.
Teen Lead Program participants will practice leading and co-leading Generation SERVE activities throughout the summer. They will work as a group to design and implement their own community service project.
Teen Co-Lead Program participants will practice co-leading activities throughout the summer. Participants will also complete an independent 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 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 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, trainings and workshops will all take place at Generation SERVE’s office at 8711 Burnet Road, Suite B-33.
Teen Leadership Program participants will all co-lead volunteer activities, and Teen Lead participants will lead activities. Most activities take place on-site at various nonprofit partners’ facilities, but some take place at Generation SERVE’s office.
Teen Co-Leads will also work on an independent project. The location(s) where this will be completed depends on each teen’s individual project. Teen Leads will design their own group service project. The location(s) where this will be completed depends on the group's chosen project.
Teen Leadership Program participants will all co-lead volunteer activities, and Teen Lead participants will lead activities. Most activities take place on-site at various nonprofit partners’ facilities, but some take place at Generation SERVE’s office.
Teen Co-Leads will also work on an independent project. The location(s) where this will be completed depends on each teen’s individual project. Teen Leads will design their own group service project. The location(s) where this will be completed depends on the group's chosen project.
I'M A FAMILY SPONSOR. IS MY ACCEPTANCE GUARANTEED?
Our Family Sponsors receive a discount on Service Learning and Teen Leadership program fees, but they are not guaranteed acceptance into our programs. Teens' availability, completed Teen Leadership Form, two completed references and group interview performance are all taken into account when accepting applicants.
DO I HAVE TO BE A LONG-TIME VOLUNTEER WITH GENERATION SERVE TO PARTICIPATE?
No, this program is open to both teens who have volunteered with us for a long time and completely new families to Generation SERVE. If you are new to Generation SERVE, please register your family here.
Application Questions
WHAT DO APPLICATIONS ENTAIL?
The first part of the application process is completing our Teen Leadership Form, which consists of four sections:
Once your application is submitted, our Teen Leadership team will reach out to your references for more information and send your parent/guardian our Guardian Agreement form. Applications will open each spring and can be found on the Teen Leadership Program page. For the 2020 program, registration opens in February.
Completed applications consist of:
Only complete applications will be considered for the next step of group interviews. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
*Please note, reference forms are sent out after we receive your online application - teens should allow enough time after submitting their application for their guardian and references to complete their respective forms.
- Basic information about the teen applying
- Parent/guardian information
- Short answer questions and availability
- Academic and personal references' contact information
Once your application is submitted, our Teen Leadership team will reach out to your references for more information and send your parent/guardian our Guardian Agreement form. Applications will open each spring and can be found on the Teen Leadership Program page. For the 2020 program, registration opens in February.
Completed applications consist of:
- Completed Teen Leadership Form
- Completed Guardian Agreement
- BOTH completed references (personal and academic) *
Only complete applications will be considered for the next step of group interviews. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
*Please note, reference forms are sent out after we receive your online application - teens should allow enough time after submitting their application for their guardian and references to complete their respective forms.
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. Your reference cannot be someone related to you.
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 FEE ASSISTANCE?
Parents or guardians of teens accepted into the Teen Leadership Program are welcome to apply for fee assistance using our Fee Assistance Form. Families must demonstrate financial need to be eligible for assistance.
There is no need to apply for fee assistance prior to being accepted into the program. Teens applying for fee assistance must have been accepted into the program, commit to all program dates and have reliable access to transportation. Requests for fee assistance will be processed after families are notified of acceptance into the program on April 26th.
Early or prior requests for fee assistance will not be taken into account when considering teens for acceptance into the Teen Leadership Program. To learn more about fee assistance, visit our fee assistance page.
There is no need to apply for fee assistance prior to being accepted into the program. Teens applying for fee assistance must have been accepted into the program, commit to all program dates and have reliable access to transportation. Requests for fee assistance will be processed after families are notified of acceptance into the program on April 26th.
Early or prior requests for fee assistance will not be taken into account when considering teens for acceptance into the Teen Leadership Program. To learn more about fee assistance, visit our fee assistance page.
I'M GOING ON VACATION THIS SUMMER. CAN I STILL PARTICIPATE?
Ideally, program participants are able to attend all program dates. However, missed program dates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Availability will be considered when reviewing your Teen Leadership Program application. Attendance cannot be split between the June and July cohorts.
Contact us at teenprograms@generationserve.org with any questions or concerns about specific dates.
Contact us at teenprograms@generationserve.org with any questions or concerns about specific dates.
WHAT IF I DID THE PROGRAM LAST YEAR?
Graduates of our past Teen Leadership Programs are invited to get involved in this year’s summer program mentoring the new cohorts and signing up for shifts through the Teen Leadership Calendar. Teen Leadership graduates can check their email for opportunities. They are also welcome to continue co-leading activities.
If you participated in our Teen Co-Lead Program and will be in 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 and will be in 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 in 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 Teen Leadership Programs are invited to mentor new participants, co-lead activities, volunteer at service events and consider joining our Teen Advisory Board. Contact us at teenprograms@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 Teen Leadership Programs are invited to mentor new participants, co-lead activities, volunteer at service events and consider joining our Teen Advisory Board. Contact us at teenprograms@generationserve.org for more information.
Can my teen still apply if we missed the information session?
Yes! The info sessions are completely optional. Teens are welcome to apply even if unable to make either session.