Do you have a warm-hearted teen who would love to help their community this summer? Or do you have a teen you’d like to keep busy this summer so they can’t run up the credit card bill at the mall?
If you answered “Yes!” to either of those questions, then the Summer of Service program may be just what you’re looking for.
Back in April, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act was signed into law, which created the Summer of Service program for 6th-12th graders to engage in service-learning opportunities in their community. Teens will have to commit hours of their time over the summer months (June 22-September 11), but they’ll learn problem solving and life skills while promoting improvement in their own communities.
A bonus, of course, is that it looks great on a college application AND teens who complete 100 hours in a Summer of Service program are given a $500 grant to help pay for college expenses.
This program is so new that it looks like they’re still trying to get the word out and get nonprofits around the nation involved. So try contacting your local nonprofit organizations to see if they provide Summer of Service programs. I know libraries are getting in on the fun and you can search for a few of the Summer of Service programs here.
For more information go to the Corporation for National and Community Service.
This would be great! To bad I don’t have a teen. Would they accept an 8 year old? I need to get one out of my hair!!
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