Greetings!
Welcome to the June edition of TeenLife Boston Connections. TeenLife Boston is committed to providing middle and high school students access to rewarding and enriching opportunities beyond school, right here in Greater Boston.
Summer is here, and this month's edition features a cover article on where to study or practice a foreign language in the Boston area this summer, a number of unique individual and group volunteer opportunities in June and July, and information on how teens with jobs can obtain a work permit. We are also featuring announcements from three summer programs --STAGE ONE: Theatrical Training from Company One, Creative Arts at Park and Wentworth Institute's STEM Discovery Program!.
We hope that you find this issue to be informative. Please send your feedback and suggestions to info@teenlifeboston.com.
Sincerely,
Marie Schwartz
TeenLife Boston |
| Work on Your Foreign Languages this Summer! |
Chances are, your school offers some interesting foreign languages, and you are taking at least one of them. The summer is the perfect time to improve your skills or explore a new foreign language in a completely stress free way. We're fortunate that Boston has so many language learning opportunities!
Classes
In addition to specialized language schools like The Boston Language Institute and classes at your local Adult Education Center in Boston, Cambridge, Newton or Brookline, there are many other reputable locations to study or practice a foreign language. Local colleges also offer classes in many languages for college credit. Don't overlook cultural centers like the French Library and the Goethe Institute. We even found one site, www.toniks.com, that teaches all languages online for an hourly fee!
Students everywhere are choosing to study Mandarin Chinese. Whether your school offers it or not, there are some great ways to study Chinese over the summer. At Harvard, UMass Boston, Tufts University and the Chinese Institute, you can take engaging summer classes. If you are already studying Chinese and you're looking for a great volunteer or internship opportunity where you can practice with native speakers, check out www.cpaboston.org or www.qari.info, well-established organizations and places for students to tutor adult Chinese immigrants in English and prepare people for citizenship tests. Gaining proficiency in Chinese is worth it, not only for the beauty of the language but also for the ability to communicate with a large part of the world's population.
"El que habla dos lenguas vale por dos" or "The person who speaks two languages is worth two." Spanish is an essential language to know since nearly 15% of Massachusetts residents are of Hispanic origin. If you are interested in studying Spanish this summer, check out the Apprende Language School or Spanish Classes Boston: www.aprendelanguageschool.com or www.spanishclassesboston.com.
The most popular place for local high school students to take Arabic in the summer is at Charlestown High School's Arabic Summer Academy (www.arabicsummeracademy.org). Another option is at Belmont Hill (www.belmont-hill.org), which will be offering its first ever summer Arabic course starting this June. Also, Harvard, BU, and Tufts all have reputable language departments that offer Arabic in the mornings a couple of times a week.
Language and Volunteering
What better way to practice a language than by speaking to a native? There are a number of excellent English as a Second Language (ESL) programs in and around Boston area where teens can assist specially-trained adult teachers in teaching English to non-native adult speakers. As an ESL tutor, you can choose to help individuals whose native language is the one that you are studying. Check out www.sabes.org or call 1-800-447-8844 for a directory of ESL classes in Massachusetts - they can tell you which program locations are closest to you. Also, a good way to practice speaking the language you're learning is to volunteer at a nursing home with residents who speak that language or to help out in a summer program that serves children from other countries. In Brookline, a new program allows you to practice your Spanish with seniors from all over Latin America. Call 617-953-7016 or email Spanish.conversation.brookline@gmail.com to get involved.
With all of these opportunities right here in the Boston area, it will be easy to work on your language skills this summer! |
| How to Obtain a Work Permit |
On January 3, 2007, significant amendments were made to the Massachusetts Child Laws. The amendments affect minors' working hours, provide for certain additional required supervision, streamline the work permit process, strengthen existing criminal penalties and also allow for civil penalties in the event of violations. As a result of this legislation, there is now a single application and permit process for all teen workers ages 14-17. All teens under 18 years of age must complete a work permit application and obtain a work permit (issued by their local public high school) before starting a new job. A complete summary of the Massachusetts laws regulating child labor, including the recent changes, may be found at www.mass.gov.
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| Green Alert!- Stop the Catalogs and Save the Trees |
If you want to stop the deluge of catalogs at your house, check out Catalog Choice, a new online service that will tell catalog merchants "thanks but no thanks" on your behalf. The service is free and it's simple. Just register at www.catalogchoice.org, search for the catalogs you don't want to receive anymore, and remove yourself from the mailing list. So far, over 700,000 people have opted out of more than 9 million catalogs!
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| Baseball as America at the Museum of Science |
Baseball As America
Opens Sunday, June 15
Included with Exhibit Halls admission
See the stuff of legends as The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum presents over 500 artifacts -- including a famed bloody sock -- to tell baseball's story, painting a thorough portrait of a game intertwined with a nation's history and culture.
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| Sierra Student Coalition |
Environmental Leadership Skills Training Camp
Learn the skills to become a leader in the fight against global warming. Thousands of young people have been showing the older generation the way with their activism and their passion for a just and sustainable society. At the Sierra Student Coalition's week-long summer leadership training program, you'll learn the skills to turn your passion for change into action. These award-winning training camps are run by students, for students. You'll be able to jump start your school's global warming group or start one if it isn't there.
-Where and When: Rindge, NH, July 6th-13th
-Who? High school and college students
-Why? To learn the skills to be a leader in the climate movement
SIGN UP NOW, SPOTS ARE LIMITED. The fee is $200, which includes food and lodging. We also offer travel and tuition scholarships. For more information, go to http://www.ssc.org/sprog.
For questions, contact Morgan.Goodwin@gmail.com.
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| Job Opportunity - Social Innovation Forum |
Taking a Year off? - full time opportunity at Innovative Boston Nonprofit for a
Social Innovation Forum Events Coordinator
The Social Innovation Forum (www.socialinnovationforum.org) identifies and directs new resources to Greater Boston's most innovative and effective nonprofits. We select top Social Innovators with proven solutions and unique approaches to Greater Boston's pressing social problems and provides these innovators with strategy consulting, executive coaching, and introductions to a network of prospective donors. Each spring, we host a Showcase Event, where our selected Social Innovators have an opportunity to present their work to more than 250 Boston-area business and philanthropic leaders.
The Social Innovation Forum is seeking an Events Coordinator to be based out of its Cambridge Office, located in Central Square. This would be an ideal position for a college student taking a year off or a recent high school graduate. Social Innovation Forum is a program of Root Cause (www.rootcause.org), a rapidly-growing strategy and consulting firm. This position is a great opportunity to join a dynamic organization and be involved with cutting edge work in the exciting field of social entrepreneurship. The Events Coordinator will have the unique opportunity to work with and get to know nonprofit innovators, donors, business leaders and a range of other partners.
For more information and to apply, email a cover letter and resume to Emily Silberstein, Social Innovation Forum at esilberstein@socialinnovationforum.org.
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| Social Capital Inc. - WorldFest Woburn! |
On Saturday, June 21st, Woburn is holding the second annual WorldFest Woburn! Last year, over 500 residents engaged in an exciting day of culturally educating activities. More than 20 diverse vendors hosted tables with food and information from Bulgaria, Argentina, Native America and Sri Lanka. Several bands entertained the crowd with various native sounds from Ireland, Brazil and the Caribbean. In addition to the enchanting music, dancers performed for the crowd. Our goal for WorldFest Woburn! 2008 is to continue the legacy of diversity in Woburn. The Woburn community is a reflection of our diverse nation. In the past, Woburn residents from various cultural backgrounds have displayed art, jewelry, and clothing, many of whom will return this year and look forward to learning about our cultural traditions. This year we hope to increase participation in WorldFest Woburn!, and are looking for volunteers to help run the event. If you are interested in participating in this year's event, please contact Andrew Gibson at 781-935-2244 or andrew@sciwoburn.orgfor more information.
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Summer Program Spotlight
STAGE ONE: Theatrical Training from Company One |
STAGE ONE: THEATRICAL TRAINING from Company One: July 14 - August 8
In this program, young artists aged 14-18 will have the opportunity to use an impulse-based process of creating theater. The Stage One instructors will guide participants through the process of creating a play; from the initial brainstorming stages, through the creation of rich complex characters and crafting a compelling story. Building on fundamental skills of improvisation and character development, the participants will also be treated to workshops in specialized areas including but not limited to: stage combat, voice, dance and movement for the theatre. Each workshop will be presented by a professional in that given specialty, allowing our young artists to work not only with some of Boston's most gifted theatre educators but also practitioners of the art.
The program is 4 weeks, July 14 - August 8, Monday-Friday, 9am - 2pm, at The Boston Center for the Arts (539 Tremont Street.) The fee is $750.00 for the whole 4 weeks. For more information call 617-292-7110 or email eross@companyone.org. To register online go to www.companyone.org and click on "Stage One".
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| Creative Arts at Park |
CREATIVE SUMMER FUN IN BROOKLINE
Creative Arts at Park, a multi-arts program for students aged 8 to 15, has spaces available for its 5-week summer session that starts June 23 and ends July 25, 2008. Participants choose their own schedule from over 130 courses in the performing and visual arts, writing, video, photography, as well as from a wide range of sports classes, although it is first and foremost an arts camp. As one former camper phrased it "This is not your typical camp. It doesn't value sports over the arts. It treats everything with equal respect." For more information call 617-232-1175 or 617-274-6066 and ask for Kippy Dewey or go to www.parkschool.org/caap. Creative Arts at Park is a program of the Park School.
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| Wentworth Institute of Technology STEM Discovery Program |
Summer 2008 STEM Discovery Program for High School Students
The 2008 STEM Discovery Program is a motivational and fun 3-week course of study available to rising high school juniors and seniors that will introduce students to engineering fields including Bioinformatics, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, and Mechanical Engineering Technology. Each 3-week program will meet Monday through Friday, 9:15 am - 3:40 pm. This is a non-residential program; therefore, daily transportation to and from the Wentworth campus is the responsibility of each participant. The cost for the program including daily lunch and all required supplies is $1,000. Session one will run June 23 to July 18 and session two is scheduled for July 21 to August 8. For more information and to apply online visit www.wit.edu/em/summer.
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For more information or to enroll, call us online today!
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This offer valid only from June 1- June 30 and may not be combined with any other offers. Certain conditions apply.
* SAT is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination Board which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.
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Get the Definitive Guides to Summer & Volunteer Opportunities for Teens
Place your order now for the 2008 editions of the Teenlife Boston: Guide to Summer Programs and the first Guide to Community Service.
 
These two guides list hundreds of interesting summer programs and non-profits in the Greater Boston area that welcome students in middle and/or high school.
Order Guides Now
About TeenLife Boston
TeenLife Boston connects middle and high school students in Greater Boston with "opportunities beyond school" such as summer programs, community service, internships, and others that they never knew existed. We publish printed guides, manage online discussion groups, offer presentations for parents and students, help schools to implement internship programs, and organize face-to-face events that make it easier to find the right opportunities for teens.
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| Sponsor of the Month |
See our special savings offer for TLB Connections readers at the bottom of this newsletter!
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Volunteer Opportunities
Cambridge River Festival
June 14, 2008 |
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Please come be a part of the festivities and join us as a volunteer at the 29th annual Cambridge River Festival. Volunteers must be 16 years or older.
This one-of-a kind arts and culture event takes place on Memorial Drive -from JFK St. to Western Avenue.
Shifts usually run about 3 hours, so there is plenty of time to enjoy the festival!!
Perks include free limited edition t-shirt, free coupon for food vendor, and follow up party after festival concludes!
All talents, skills, and interests welcome, and we will try to accommodate what you'd like to do and when you'd like to do it!
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| My Town/Bikes not Bombs MYRIDE Bike Tour
Sunday, June 15 |
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My Town and Bikes not Bombs are sponsoring MYRIDE (Multi-cultural Youth Riding in Diverse Environments) a youth-led Bike Tour on Sunday, June 15.
The ride is open to all, but riders under the age of 13 must have an adult chaperone. There will be a barbeque after the ride.
Details
Distance: 8 Miles, 6 Tour Stops
Cost: $15 per Person/ $25 with T-shirt
Additional donations are greatly appreciated.
Starting Location:
Bikes Not Bombs Hub*
284 Amory Street
Jamaica Plain
Registration and Bike check: 9:30 - 10:00AM
Ride start time: 10:00AM
If You Would Like to Borrow a Bike for the Ride You Must Register By June 1st.
To register, go to
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| WGBH June TV Pledge Drive
June 16-19 |
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WGBH would be glad to have your assistance answering phones and taking pledges from our viewers during our upcoming TV Pledge events this month!
Available shifts for our upcoming June TV Pledge Drive are as follows:
Monday, June 16, 6:30-10:30pm: American Experience: Walt Whitman tells the poet's life story, from his working-class childhood in Long Island to his years as a newspaper reporter in Brooklyn, to his reckless pursuit of attention and affection, to his death in 1892.
Thursday, June 19, 6:30-11pm: We'll finish out the drive with Celtic Thunder, five male vocalists who perform songs from across the Celtic music spectrum. Singers Keith Harkin and Ryan Kelly will join us LIVE in the studio!
Training will be provided at the beginning of all shifts, as will dinner, except for the afternoon shift on June 7, during which snacks and beverages will be provided. All volunteers must be at least 16 years old, and will receive a complimentary 1-year membership to WGBH as our thank you for your service.
If you are interested in joining us for any of these events, please contact Stacy Kasdin, at volunteer_coordinator@wgbh.org! Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. We hope to hear from you soon!
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| Science Club for Girls
June 26 |
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Are you excited about science? Do you like working with young children? Science Club for Girls (www.scienceclubforgirls.org) is collaborating with the Kwong Kow Chinese School in Chinatown in Boston on a pilot program this summer and seeking rising 8-12th grade females as Junior Assistants. JAs will work alongside adult mentor- scientists, but also serve as role models and lead young children in K-3rd grades in hands-on science explorations. Training will be on July 1. The program will run for 7 weeks beginning July 7, every Tuesday afternoon for 2 hours. For more information, contact Liz Pelletier, lpelletier@scienceclubforgirls.org.
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| World Computer Exchange
June 21 and July 19 |
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Make a difference in the world, with World Computer Exchange which is dedicated to improving life and opportunities for poor young people throughout the world.
World Computer Exchange has a program on the third Saturday of this month. Please come and join us to help pack and test computers on June 21st, 2008 and/or July 19th, 2008 from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM (Volunteers can choose their days and hours) at our site 936 Nantasket Ave. Hull, Mass. 02045. No special skills are required, tasks may include turning on units & a simple protocol, counting mice, power cords, etc. or loading equipment onto pallets. You may sign up as a group or as an individual. Lunch will be provided, and transportation charges can be reimbursed within Massachusetts, from your location to our location in Hull (if arranged beforehand with us). Those taking public transportation can be arranged to be picked up at the Braintree T station on the Red Line at 8:45 AM, some work will be outdoors, weather permitting. Please dress according to the weather.
World Computer Exchange's mission is to bridge the digital divide for the world's poorest youth by collecting donated, working computers and building the capacity of schools and youth organizations in developing countries to connect and maintain them. By re utilizing computer equipment, we help the environment by keeping computers out of landfills.
WCE- Boston is a group of volunteers in the greater Boston area who help to raise funds and gather, test and pack donated computers that are sent overseas to schools and community organizations with approved plans to implement an ICT project.
Visit www.WorldComputerExchange.org
for more information.
The minimum age for volunteers is 12.
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Room to Grow |
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Summer Volunteer Position for Students Entering their Senior Year
Room to Grow is an organization that works to enrich the lives of babies born into poverty by providing parents with one-on-one parenting support and essential baby items throughout their child's critical first three years of life. We are looking for dedicated volunteers to help organize and prepare our inventory of infant and toddler clothing, toys, books and equipment to help ensure that babies receive a healthy and secure start in life. A minimum of 2 hours per visit, from Mondays through Fridays, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm is required.
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| Horizons for Homeless Children
Volunteer Training Session
August 11 and 12 |
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ARE YOU A LEGO ARCHITECT? COME PLAY WITH HOMELESS CHILDREN!
Did you know: at least 1 out of every 24 Massachusetts children is homeless at any given time? An even higher proportion of Massachusetts children experience homelessness over the course of a year, for a total of at least 82,000 homeless children and youth in the Bay State.
Horizons for Homeless Children is seeking volunteers to interact and play with over 500 children living in over 50 fmaily, teen parent, and domestic violence shelters in Greater Boston. A commitment of 2 hours a week for 6 months is required. We offer daytime and evening shifts, so there is likely to be one that fits your schedule. It is a rewarding and fun experience for everyone involved. The next training session will be on August 11 and 12, 2008. Please call 617-445-1480 for more information or visit
We cannot accept volunteers under the age of sixteen.
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| Greater Waltham ARC |
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BE AN IMPORTANT
ONE-TO-ONE...
Please consider donating your time in special one-to-one relationships with GWARC consumers. You don't have to be an artist, a chef, a tailor, or have a particular skill to share and enrich the lives of GWARC consumers...and yourself!
If you have an hour or two, we invite you to contact one of GWARC's Waltham sites. We will introduce you to our participants and arrange 30-45-minute visits for a one-to-one partnership.
You may bring your own activity or get suggestions from GWARC staff. For more information, contact Heidi Barberio at 781-899-1344, ext. 4145 or e-mail hbarberio@gwarc.org.
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| Women's Lunch Place |
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The Women's Lunch Place, a daytime shelter for poor and homeless women on Newbury St in Boston, is looking for enthusiastic volunteers ages 16+ to help out in our kitchen this summer! This opportunity is both a great way to contribute to your community and give a boost to your college applications. Volunteers are welcomed into a fun, inviting atmosphere as they help to prepare and serve lunch for approximately 120 women and clean up afterwards. Scheduling is flexible, and volunteers can choose to come in between the hours of 7 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Volunteers must be able to commit at least 8 hours of service a month for at least two months between June and August. For more information or to fill out an online application, visit our website at www.womenslunchplace.org. Questions? Email Lisa Schottenfeld, Volunteer Program Coordinator, at lisa@womenslunchplace.org.
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| Youth Enrichment Services (YES) Summer Program Volunteers |
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This summer YES will continue to provide our rich traditional programs which are scheduled to start in July. We provide the equipment, transportation, and strong supervision. Teen-aged volunteers (15+) are needed to help YES staff.
So if you want to:
· Mountain Bike over challenging terrains, or kayak on the Charles River
· Hike to the top of a mountain, learn about the outdoors
· Have a weekend of fun camping overnight,
Then YES will get you started. To sign up, you must be between the ages of 9-17 years old, and willing to abide by our standards of safety and conduct.
The cost of a day hike/biking/kayaking trip is $15. A 3 day 2 night overnight camping trip is $65 (SPECIAL PRICING FOR REGISTERED YES SUMMERKIDS).
Day trips meet at YES offices at 412 Mass Ave at 9am and return by 5pm. Overnight trips depart at 4pm from YES every Friday and return by 4pm on Sunday. Space limited on overnight trips and YES has the right to cancel an overnight trip due to low enrollment or inclement weather.
If you are seriously interested give us a call at (617) 267-5877! We look forward to seeing you this summer!
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