| Welcome to the February Issue of TeenLife Connections published for teens, families and educators. Each month Connections features a variety of opportunities and resources that help students connect with the world beyond school.
3rd Annual Community Service Fair
The 3rd annual Community Service Fair was a huge success. We estimate that over 1000 students, parents, teachers and community service coordinators from over 120 private and public schools in Greater Boston attended the event! All of our participating non-profits were thrilled and met with many teens eager for the opportunity to volunteer.
We are constantly looking at ways to improve the fair and your opinion means a lot to us. If you have a few minutes, please help us make the next Community Service Fair even better by responding to the following survey.
TeenLife Community Service Fair Survey
In This Issue
Featured Articles and Opportunities From TeenLife
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Non-profit spotlight on The Food Project
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Learn about semester school programs
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Volunteer, Job, & Internship Opportunities
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Featured Programs & Resources
To ensure optimum viewing of all TeenLife Boston content, please be sure to Sign In. Contact newsletter@teenlife.com if you encounter any problems with your username or password.
Giving Back to the Community And The Land With The Food Project
Food Project volunteers distributing food
For those looking for a rewarding experience, a chance to learn about healthy foods and farming skills, and a way to help their community, the Food Project is a great opportunity. This organization works with teenagers and adults to produce food through farming, and distribute it to all levels of society so that everyone can develop healthier eating habits. Read Full Article
Semester School Programs:
An Opportunity for Growth
It’s no surprise that semester school programs have increased in popularity among high school students over the years. Similar to semester-abroad programs, semester school programs give high school students the opportunity to leave their home school for half of the academic year to study in a diverse, small, academic setting. As many semester school programs developed out of independent schools, they also offer students the quality-learning environment of an independent school setting, with specialized, interdisciplinary courses, experiential education, and rigorous traditional instruction. Read Full Article
Upcoming Volunteer, Job, & Internship Opportunites
Now-April 22 (Anywhere): The "Increase Your Green” campaign encourages teens to "green” their schools by developing creative plans to engage their classmates and address environmental issues at school. The National Grid Foundation, the campaign’s founding sponsor, is offering grants of up to $1500 for winners in New York State, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. A panel of judges will evaluate the entries based on creativity, innovation, reduction in waste, energy saved and number of students involved. To learn how to get involved or for more information about environmental issues, visit www.IncreaseYourGreen.org.
 February-March (Dedham): Hope in Bloom needs students mid-February through mid-March to volunteer to assemble the information kits which will be handed out to raise awareness and funds for the program at The Boston Flower Show from March 24-28th at the World Trade Center in Boston.
March 6th (Boston): Join the Boston Foundation and bring your family to volunteer at The Greater Boston Food Bank! Every year, the Food Bank distributes more than 31 million pounds of food and grocery products to nearly 600 agencies throughout eastern Massachusetts. March 6th (East Boston): Get involved with People Making a Difference; volunteer to paint creative & colorful signs for Project Bread's Walk for Hunger on March 6th . Sign up by 2/25/2010.
 Spring Semester (Greater Boston): Citi Performing Arts Center is now scheduling interviews and auditions for the Spring High School Internship program taking place weekday afternoons from March 22-May 15, 2010 . Auditions must be scheduled by March 8th. Teens can also join a Neighborhood Ensemble and perform at the Shubert Theatre with some of the best area performing arts groups (March 24th-May 15th).  March 13th (Rutland): Heifer needs volunteers to assist with its annual Pancake Breakfast on March 13th to raise money to support Heifer's Learning Center and build awareness of Heifer's work to end hunger and poverty around the world. Heifer is also looking for Summer Interns to assist its Area Volunteer Coordinator in sourcing opportunities to present Heifer education programs.  March 27th (Newton): The Newton Community Service Center needs volunteers to help with FITKIDS JAMBOREE, an event for 2-5 year olds that provides children an opportunity to experience fun, athletic games, physical activity, healthy snacks, pictures, projects and more.  School Year (Mass. Bay): Get involved with American Red Cross of Massachusetts and start a Red Cross Club at your school! Teens can also serve as Red Cross Ambassadors and take part in a diverse array of opportunities that include helping out at the Red Cross office in Cambridge or serving at its Boston Food Pantry. curriculum with meaningful service throughout the community.  Summer (Greater Boston, North Shore): Serve as a Crew Worker in the Food Project’s Summer Youth Program and work to grow and distribute thousands of pounds of organic produce for people in need. Gain invaluable skills of teamwork, accountability, civic participation, and communication. Participants receive a stipend.  Year-Round (Salem): The Northeast Animal Shelter is looking for Shelter Ambassadors to greet guests and make sure that animals at the shelter are safe and well cared for. Teens can also be Kennel Volunteers and respond to the emotional and physical needs of the cats and dogs entrusted in the shelter's care.
Want more? Check out Teen Help Wanted.
Featured Programs & Resources
Aspire by API offers comprehensive summer travel and study abroad programs for high school students, gap year abroad programs for recent high school graduates, and customized international programs for high schools.
Edu-Culture International leads summer study abroad programs for high school students (ages 15-18) who want to improve their foreign language skills in France, Spain, or Costa Rica.
Camp Nashoba Day, located in Littleton, Massachusetts offers waterskiing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, horseback riding, tennis, climbing, archery and arts. Four and eight week sessions, 200 boys and girls ages
4 to 14.
 EF International Language Schools
offer language and cultural immersion programs for students age 14+, ranging in length from two weeks to any number of weeks, or year-round. Gap year opportunities are also available. EF schools are located in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Singapore.
 GapSmart! provides Gap Year Consulting to students interested in maximizing their gap year experience. A Gap Year is a great way to prepare for college and life. We offer complete gap year planning packages. We primarily work with high school students looking to gap before college.
Camp Nashoba North offers a traditional, non-sectarian, co-ed sleepaway camp located in the beautiful Sebago Lake region for ages 7-17. The camp includes a supportive, active environment, a large selection of activities, wonderful food and modern facilities.
 At Northeast Clinics our goal is to improve the skills of all levels of players from first time players to advanced players. Northeast Field Hockey Clinic is looking for passionate, energetic, field hockey loving players to attend our 35th Annual Field Hockey Clinic held at the Governor’s Academy in Newbury, MA on July 11-14, 2010.
 Check out Beginning Guitar Classes as part of the Music Speaks program for Grades 9-12. Music Speaks, a program of Passim Folk Music & Cultural Center, teaches teenagers from all communities’ basic guitar playing and songwriting techniques. Through music education, students learn valuable life skills, including confidence, creativity, and discipline.
New term begins Tuesday, March 23rd. 
SAGE Study Abroad sends high school students to India for 1 semester or longer. Immerse yourself in another culture, volunteer and learn a language! Application deadline is March 1st.
 Since 1989, VISIONS has set the standard for international, and domestic, community service programs. VISIONS summers blend service, cultural immersion, and adventure in locations around the world.
 Wyonegonic Camps in Maine offers Wilderness Trip Adventures (3.5 weeks) for girls age 15-18. Canoe and Backpacking options, plus CIT program (7 weeks). Develop Leadership Skills! A traditional summer camp program for campers age 8-15 is also available.
The Weymouth Club will be starting Session 4 on March 1st. Seven Week Sessions. Classes designed to reinforce and improve upon all of the proper grips, strokes and footwork patterns through fun drills and skill competitions. Player Development: Ages 9 – 12. Teen Beginner/Intermediate: Ages 13 – 17.
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REI
Sponsor of the Month
Learn a new activity or brush up your skills.
Ready to launch into a new outdoor activity or advance in one you already enjoy? REI Outdoor School can get you on your way! We offer beginning to advanced-level classes and outings in kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, navigation, snowshoeing, road cycling, backpacking and more. We provide kayaks, bikes, snowshoes, GPS units and other gear. And most importantly, our professional instructors are committed to sharing their knowledge and ensuring a safe, enjoyable experience for every participant.
click here to learn more
We wanted to extend a special thank you to all of our sponsors and supporting exhibitors!
Sponsors included:
We hope to see you next February.
Guide to Community Service
The TeenLife 2010 Guide to Community Service it is now available online for FREE to all TeenLife members. This guide includes hundreds of teen volunteer opportunities at 150 non-profits in Greater Boston. Go to TeenLife.com, sign in, and click on the image of the cover that’s displayed on the home page. We hope that by using the guide you or your teen will discover new ways to engage in volunteerism.
The City of Boston, in partnership with the Northeastern University and Boston Bar Association sponsor the Mayor’s Youth Council program to give Boston young people an active roll in addressing youth issues. Each Spring 36 young people are selected to represent their neighborhoods as volunteers on a citywide board. The council meets approximately twice a month to participate in skill building workshops and to work on issues that they have prioritized.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Teens who will be entering their junior or senior year in high school or an alternative program the following September. Boston residency required. Knowledge of teen programs and issues preferred.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
MYC 2010-2011 Applications are due April 15, 2010. Apply now!
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FREE Practice Tests
Near You offered by
Kaplan Test Prep & Admissions
PSAT, SAT, and ACT
Online College Workshops too!
For event details and to register, visit
or call 1-800-KAP-TEST
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Not sure how you’d score on the SAT or ACT? Find out by participating in
The Princeton Review’s FREE
National Testing Day!
The Princeton Review will host FREE practice tests for the SAT, ACT, and PSAT on March 20, at the following locations: Boston Public Library; Newton Center; Lexington; North Andover; Quincy; Hingham; Foxborough; and Providence.
For event details and to register, visit ww.princetonreview.com/NationalTesting Day or call 617-558-2828
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To view upcoming events
in the Greater Boston area,
check out our Event Calendar.
Looking for an internship or community service opportunity? Want to learn how to play guitar? Who offers semester away programs?
It is easy to find all of these opportunities and resources; just enter your keywords in the TeenLife search engine at the top right of each webpage.
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