Teen Leadership Program
Program Questions
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
The first step is to apply. Our Summer Teen Leadership Program is a competitive, merit-based program for teens (ages 13-18) who have an interest in volunteering and practice involving leadership skills. Participants are selected depending on the strength of their application and group interview performance and the number of spots available in the program.
To learn more, check out our Teen Leadership Program page.
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.
We offer fee assistance for families with a demonstrated financial need. Program fees and requests for fee assistance will be processed after teens are notified of their acceptance into the program.
We offer fee assistance for families with a demonstrated financial need. 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 ACTIVITIES WILL PARTICIPANTS TAKE PART IN THIS SUMMER?
Participants will receive hands-on, interactive training in leadership, service and teamwork alongside their peers. They will practice leading and co-leading Generation SERVE activities throughout the summer, as well as design and implement their own community service projects. Staff will guide teens in project planning and setting goals achievable by the project deadline. Teens will work on their project on their own, and report their outcomes and volunteer hours to Generation SERVE by the project deadline.
DO GUARDIANS ATTEND WITH THEIR TEENS?
Guardians must 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.
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.
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.
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. Guardians of teens who are accepted into the program must complete this registration form before teens participate.
Cancellation policy
A non-refundable processing fee of $75 is included in the price of your program fee. Cancellations made before May 1, 2020 will receive a full refund, minus the $75 processing fee. Cancellations are not able to be processed after May 1, 2020.
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 guardian our Guardian Agreement form. Applications will open each spring and can be found on the Teen Leadership Program page.
Completed applications consist of:
Only complete applications will be considered for the next step of group interviews. Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed.
*Please note, guardian agreement and reference forms are sent out after we receive your online Teen Leadership Form - teens should allow enough time after submitting their form for their guardian and references to complete their respective forms before the application deadline.
- Basic information about the teen applying
- 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 guardian our Guardian Agreement form. Applications will open each spring and can be found on the Teen Leadership Program page.
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 or late applications will not be reviewed.
*Please note, guardian agreement and reference forms are sent out after we receive your online Teen Leadership Form - teens should allow enough time after submitting their form for their guardian and references to complete their respective forms before the application deadline.
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.
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.
WHAT IF I HAVE SIBLINGS? WILL WE ALL BE ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM?
Each teen's individual application will be considered independently - having siblings or friends in the program does not guarantee that you will be offered a spot.