Camps for High School Age Young People

Friends Music Camp , Olney Friends School, Yellow Springs, OH
Campers at Friends Music Camp are young people between the ages of 10 and 18, of any religion, who wish to pursue musical excellence while participating in a caring community.
Teaching staff come from many different backgrounds. Some are established professionals, and others are graduate students at some of the most highly regarded music schools in the nation. All are experienced, caring teachers, passionate about making FMC a positive experience for all our campers.
Counselors are often musicians as well. Many are former campers, returning to help share the FMC experience with the next generation. 

Stone Mountain Adventures, Huntingdon, PA ( Central Pennsylvania). 
Located in the heart of Central Pennsylvania’s farm country, Stone Mountain Adventures offers individuals the opportunity to challenge themselves to step beyond their own abilities: to ride with confidence, to climb with technique, to control the sail, to bike one more hill.
With only 60 campers ages 12-16 and an active, caring staff of 14, we share the summer’s adventrues in an environment of respect and sharing; celebrating our victories, accepting our shortcomings, learning, and having fun together.

Teen Adventure Camp,  Camp Dark Waters Medford, NJ   For 15 and 16 year olds who want a challenge, this two week trip requires determination, teamwork, and a love of the outdoors. Explore with your team and experienced guides while learning new skills and pushing your physical limits. The classic Camp Dark Waters community - with tougher terrain.
Camp Dark Waters is our base camp on this trip – we stop in once or twice during our two weeks together – otherwise we’re moving non-stop from one adventure to the next. One day we’ll be rafting down the Lehigh River, and the next we’ll be hiking up the Appalachian Mountains! The trip itinerary includes virtually every outdoor pursuit that the NY-VA corridor has to offer… plus a few you’ve probably never even imagined. The end result? An epic trip that blows any other trips out of the water!

Westtown Quaker Summer Workcamp

Mexico Summer Workcamp are an interesting and meaningful way to volunteer and travel with a purpose. Working and living together with other young people provides an excellent opportunity to make new friends, learn about new cultures, gain new skills and practical experience. Your enthusiasm, time, and energy can make a difference in areas where help is really needed.

This summer we are offering one 8-day program in Mexico. Program information and application forms are available at Westtown Summer Workcamps.We hope to see you this summer! 

June 27 to July 5, 2011 Mexico Summer Workcamp focuses on cloud forest conservation, sustainable development and cultural exchange in the mountains of Huatusco, Mexico. Participants live in a small eco village and experience hands-on projects related to environmental issues in this unique ecosystem. Locally grown food, and overnight with a Mexican family and an introduction to renewable energy sources among many other activities. A transforming experience. Limited scholarships available.

2011 Camp Fulbright, South Korea
Junior Internship Program
July 13, 2011-August 3, 2011 (three weeks)

Location: Jungwon University, Goesan, South Korea
in the Goesan area near the city of Cheongju.

The Korean-American Educational Commission (KAEC), which administers the Fulbright program in Korea, would like to invite students in the 8th to 10th grade to apply for the Camp Fulbright Junior Internship Program. Little to no knowledge of Korean language or culture required.

The program, held in conjunction with their annual Camp Fulbright summer camp, is a three-week cultural exchange program through which middle and high school students from the U.S. can meet and interact with students from all over Korea.

Application Period: March 23, 2011 - April 30, 2011   
This will probably be offered each year.. Check their website for more  current information.

As I read this, camper interns are responsible for transportation to and from South Korea. Room & board and within South Korean travel are provided by Camp Fulbright.  Airfare approximately $1420 (Travelocity 4/13/2011) -Cookie

Get more information

USA Gap Year Fair 

A Gap Year is a period of time between completing high school and beginning college when a student takes one year to step outside the traditional classroom to explore the world, reflect on their personal values and goals, and prepare to take the next purposeful step in life. Some programs are domestic while others are international, some are for short periods of time and others for the entire year, some are free and others have tuition, but by and large it is evident that students benefit from the experience. 

USA Gap Year Fairs is a national circuit of events that brings together reputable Gap Year organizations, interested students and parents, high school college counselors and the Gap Year experts. These events are designed to provide students with a broad exposure of Gap Year Programs and the opportunity for face to face conversations with the people who work in the field. For students and parents interested in Gap Year, these fairs are the legitimate source to connect with reputable organizations that focus on Education, Service and Personal Growth.    Check their schedule for other dates & locations in the fall & winter. 

You can also view descriptions of 29 Gap Year programs with links to their websites for more information. 

Volunteer Petén
San Andrés, Petén, Guatemala

Volunteer Petén is a 501c3 non-for-profit organization established in San Andrés, Petén (with a US office in Mohnton, Pennsylvania) whose mission is to aid development in Guatemala by training international volunteers to participate in, design, and implement sustainable projects. Our main projects focus on environmental education, general education, reforestation, forest management, medicinal plants, and working with the public library and public schools, but we are open and able to aid volunteers to develop any project that suits their abilities and goals.

Our program is divided into 2 main categories: Ecological Management & Education.

Volunteers can and are expected to take part in all program areas, and should not limit themselves to working in one particular area. Typical work days run from 8am-12 noon Monday through Friday. Four caretakers and the director run programs on a daily basis ranging from light construction, to trail maintenance, to gardening, to teaching. Afternoons are typically spent studying Spanish, running errands, teaching, participating in activities, or continuing work in the ecological park. Activities include field trips, movie night, and working in the community library.   On site costs:  $120 - $95 (plus extras) per week.
Get more information

Ecumenical Work Week "Here until the work is done"
Gulfport and New Orleans, July 31-August 6, 2011

      The National Council of Churches Special Commission for the Just Rebuilding of the Gulf Coast has scheduled the annual Ecumenical Work Week in Gulfport and New Orleans.

     The work week, which has been growing steadily since it began in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, is expected to attract more than 100 volunteers who will spend a week working on houses still needing repair since the hurricane's devastation. As in past years, their labors will take place in an atmosphere of worship and witness.

     Volunteers will choose to work in either New Orleans or Gulfport, Miss. They can download a registration form and return it along with a $25 per person registration fee to the NCC's Washington Office, 110 Maryland Avenue, NE, Suite 108, Washington, DC 20002.

Volunteers will be asked to provide their own transportation to and from New Orleans of Gulfport. Assistance with housing will be provided by the Ecumenical Work Week staff.

     Additional information Registration forms can be found at the National Council of Churches Special Commission Web site

Read their whole site before applying.  Their expectation is that you are coming as part of a group (from your Meeting, Quarterly Meeting??), and that you will pay for your own room and board.  Youth groups must include an appropriate ratio of 1 adult advisor for every 4 youth of each gender. Read their Frequently asked questions    

If you get a error page or last years information. This event happens every year but they seem to change the webpage address and leave the old page up like a ghost ship.  Go to National Council of Churches home page. scroll down to the bottom and click the e-mail for the Web Editor.  Ask for the new page address.

BorderLinks has developed cooperative relationships with several colleges and universities enabling us to offer a 15 credit semester program on the US-Mexican border. Academic Programs

Explore Peace, Justice & Sustainability Through Learning and Service

The Woolman Semester offers high school juniors, seniors and 1st year post-graduates the opportunity to focus on the studies of peace, justice and environmental sustainability. Woolman classes create a relaxed environment where relevant topics are discussed openly from the personal level to the global level. Take courses that will encourage you to question assumptions, substantiate viewpoints and understand others. And find ways to take that knowledge and put it into action!

The non-academic components of the Woolman Semester support what you learn in the classroom by applying that learning to your everyday life. You will practice simplicity living in a wood-heated cabin in a Quaker community, enjoy a weeklong backpacking trip in the Sierra foothills of Northern California and spend 18 days on a service-learning trip to Mexico.

Having experienced a semester of education away from home, graduates of the Woolman Semester stand out in the college admissions process and are prepared to thrive in a university environment. Students leave engaged in critical and compassionate citizenship. Visit www.woolman.org to find out more.

Camp Bright Feathers Volunteer Camp Staff Needed for an HIV/AIDS Specialty Camp: YMCA Camp Ockanickon and other HIV/AIDS organizations in South Jersey and Philadelphia, provide an annual week long residential camping experience for 125 children between the ages of 6 and 13 infected or affected. The goal of the camp is to give kids the chance to be kids. The camp provides arts & crafts, swimming, boating, fishing, games and other special activities throughout the week. The camp is held in late August at the YMCA Camp Ockanickon, Medford, NJ. Volunteer counselors age 18 or older, are needed to provide supervision and guidance to campers. Volunteer nursing staff is needed to distribute medication and administer first aid. Volunteer time for any duration is welcome. Training is provided.

Teen Volunteer positions at the Zoo( Please note that all volunteers must be at least 14 years old); Junior Zoo Apprentice Program for students age 14-18, High School Ambassador Internship, Summer Camp Counselor Assistants, Junior Ambassador Program. See Teen volunteers

The Internship Programs at the Philadelphia Zoo. The Philadelphia Zoo's internships offer college students a chance to gain valuable work experience in an exciting and dynamic atmosphere. We seek professionally-minded, motivated, energetic and capable students for our high-level internship positions.
Learn more Zoo Internships  High School Graduates only please. Please note that all internships are unpaid

Student Conservation Association, Inc, High School Conservation Work Crew Program: SCA offers high school students who are at least 15 years of age the opportunity to volunteer as part of supervised Conservation Work Crews in over 50 projects in national parks and forests for 4-5 weeks each Spring, Summer, and Fall. In participating in this tuition-free program, students benefit by: receiving outdoor training and work experience while helping protect our natural resources; receiving environmental education, which is an integral part of the program; and having the opportunity to travel and explore new areas of the country and a chance to meet with students from all over the United States and Canada. SCA provides food, lodging (even if that means a tent under the sky), and transportation within the context of the project. Students pay for their own travel to and from the site. Financial aid is available. Application Deadline is March 15; however SCA will begin filling positions in February. For more information, check the Student Conservation Association Web Page: www.thesca.org

The Student Conservation Association also offers Resource Assistant and Conservation Associate Internship Programs to Young Adults over age 18. Check the same Web Page www.thesca.org

ProWorld Service Corps’ mission is to empower communities, promote social and economic development, conserve the environment, and cultivate educated compassionate global citizens.

The ProWorld Service Corps offers 2 to 48 week cultural, service, and academic experiences in Peru, Belize, Mexico, India, and Thailand. Get more information

ProWorld Service Corps is recomended by National Geographic Adventure Magazine's "Best Travel Adventure Companies on Earth"

Become an international volunteer
Since its inception, Habitat has relied on the commitment, spirit and expertise of volunteers to fuel its mission. The gives volunteers an opportunity to serve with one of our overseas offices for several months.

Since its inception, Habitat for Humanity has relied on the commitment, spirit and expertise of volunteers to fuel its mission. The International Volunteer Program gives you the opportunity to serve with one of our overseas offices for several months. This program is not to be confused with Habitat’s Global Village program, which provides short-term two-week volunteer trips.

Global Village Program

Join a Habitat for Humanity Global Village trip and experience another culture while making a difference in the lives of others. As a Global Village volunteer, you will work alongside members of the host community in building decent, affordable housing. Your active partnership will help raise awareness of the burden of poverty housing and create a true global village of love, community, homes and hope.

I have done this 3 times. San Cristobal, Chiapas, Mexico; Coban, Guatemala; and San Juan Ostuncalco, Guatemala. They were life changing experiences for me. I highly recomend the Global Village programs! People under 18 can go if accompanied by a parent.   - Cookie

LEARN ABOUT THE UN AT THE UN Quaker United Nations Summer School, Geneva, Switzerland July 3 - 15, 2011

For people with an active interest in international affairs.
Would you like to study the UN at first hand?
Do you want to meet people from all over the world?
The Summer School aims to provide an introduction to the work of the United Nations. In previous years it has been especially attractive to people who have recently completed higher education studies.

Are you aged 20-26?

Application packs available online from QUAKER UNITED NATIONS SUMMER SCHOOL   look at the bottom of the page under "How to apply"

or from Helen Bradford (QUNSS), Friends House, Euston Rd, London, NW1 2BJ, UK. Email: helenb@quaker.org.uk

Please note that the deadline for applications, including the return of two references, is 15th MARCH 2010

The White House Internship:
A Public Service Leadership Program

The White House Internship Program provides a unique opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and build leadership skills. This hands-on program is designed to mentor and cultivate today’s young leaders, strengthen their understanding of the Executive Office and prepare them for future public service opportunities.  Summer 2010 DC Scholars Application is now an online application.  It requires a 300-500 word essay, a letter to the President & First lady on a topic of your choice and your resume.  
Click here to go to the White House Internship Program webpage.