Check Out Paid Youth Extracurriculars
ICA Teens:
Are you interested in programs created for and by teens? If you’re in high school and at least 13 years old, check out what the ICA Teen Programs have to offer!
ICA Teens provides a variety of workshops and programs that encourage creativity among teens of all skill levels and interests. They have free workshops and programs in music and audio, film and video, digital photography, or visual arts and writing. ICA Teens also offers leadership programs, where you’ll get paid to create exciting opportunities and experiences for your peers.
Special Focus is a four-day intensive workshop during Boston Public Schools’ April Break. This program is designed for teens interested in learning photography skills and mastering the use of a DSLR camera. Throughout these four days, participants will delve into portrait photography, discovering how to create compelling portraits, use studio lighting effectively, and apply techniques to capture the true essence of their subjects. The program covers the fundamentals of portraiture and equipment usage, culminating in a final event known as “ICA Picture Day.”
Teens participating in AMP have the opportunity to earn up to $360 upon completing the 20-hour program.
To Learn More About ICA Teens: April Break Intensive: Special Focus, Click Here.
AMP is a paid program for Boston-area teens interested in beat making and music production. This four-day intensive takes place during Boston Public Schools’ February Break. Participants will learn to use industry-standard software and equipment to create, remix, or record music. By the end of the program, AMP members will gain confidence in their skills and have the opportunity to showcase their projects at a special event.
Teens in AMP can earn up to $360 upon completing the 20-hour program. Details about the February 2025 program will be available starting the fall of 2024.
To Learn More About AMP: Music Production February Break Intensive, Click Here.
The Teen Digital Cooperative (TDC) is a paid opportunity for Boston-area teens to creatively share, celebrate, and amplify impactful stories from their communities.
To qualify, applicants must be in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade during the 2024-2025 school year.
To Learn More About Teen Digital Cooperative, Click Here.
The Photography Collective is a paid program designed to develop your skills in photography, editing, design, and storytelling. You’ll learn the fundamentals of photography to produce unique, well-composed images and gain expertise in analyzing, discussing and critiquing art, photographic works, and media. You’ll also become proficient with industry-standard equipment and editing software to create compelling stories through the images you capture in your neighborhoods. The program includes both independent and collaborative projects, exploring history, community, and photography.
Photography Collective meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-7 PM each school year.
To Learn More About Photography Collective, Click Here.
The Teen Arts Council (TAC) is a group of paid teens from the Boston area dedicated to amplifying youth voices and contemporary art through the creation of events and resources for their peers. TAC focuses on addressing social issues while connecting teens with contemporary art, the ICA, and one another. They view art as both a form of expression and a tool for activism. Throughout the year, TAC organizes various events to engage with teens. These include teen nights, which feature art making, performances, and entertainment, as well as the Current, which addresses socio-political issues impacting teens in Boston. The group also collaborates with exhibiting artists and develops resources about art and artists for their peers.
To Learn More About Teen Arts Council, Click Here.
The Teen Exhibitions Program (TEP) is a paid opportunity for Boston-area teens to collaboratively plan, curate, and install artwork in the Teen Galleries at the ICA’s Seaport Studio. As a TEP member, you’ll organize two exhibitions annually to showcase and celebrate teen art, inviting peers from Boston and beyond to interact with the displays. You’ll collaborate with other teens to envision and shape the exhibition space, and work alongside ICA staff to design, install artwork, and create events that engage the community.
To Learn More About Teen Exhibitions Program, Click Here.
Fast Forward is a paid program that provides teens with essential skills in video production and storytelling. You’ll use your individual interests and experiences to craft engaging stories through art. The program covers creating both short films and documentary-style videos. You’ll work with industry-standard equipment and software, and have the opportunity to connect with professional filmmakers, artists, and community leaders.
Fast Forward meets on Wednesdays and Fridays from 4-7 PM each school year.
To Learn More About Fast Forward, Click Here.
The National Park Service:
Since 1916, the National Park Service has been dedicated to the stewardship of our national parks. With the support of volunteers and partners, they protect these unique places and share their stories with over 318 million visitors each year. However, their mission extends beyond just the parks.
They take pride in collaborating with tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community members who seek their assistance in revitalizing their neighborhoods, preserving local history, celebrating cultural heritage, and creating accessible opportunities for families and children to engage with the outdoors, stay active, and have fun.
Mission:
The National Park Service is committed to preserving the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System in their pristine condition for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of current and future generations. They work alongside partners to promote the benefits of conservation and outdoor recreation both nationally and globally.
A paid opportunity for youth aged 15-18 to join a team of Stewards working with Park Rangers at either the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site or the John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site. Stewards will be assigned to one of these sites, where they will collaboratively research, develop, and present talks to visitors. The program is designed to be in-person, subject to health and safety guidelines. Participants will split their time between visitor services at their assigned site and team-based project development and professional growth at the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site. Responsibilities include staffing the visitor center, assisting with special park events, and leading projects that engage youth visitors. Throughout the summer, Stewards will enhance their communication skills, network with professionals, and gain valuable experience.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Develop and execute a team project to engage youth at National Park Sites, including concept creation, program development, marketing, and public delivery
- Professionally interact with diverse National Park Service visitors both in person and on the phone
- Support existing programs such as family days, open houses, and public outreach
- Staff the visitor center, including managing the cash register and maintaining the sales area
- Provide basic information about the site
- Operate digital equipment, including cameras, tablets, and computers
- Assist with social media efforts
- Perform other assigned duties as needed
Youth Activities
Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD):
ABCD is a member of the Community Action Network, established with the enactment of the Economic Opportunity Act, signed into law in 1964. This Act aimed to enhance the lives of all Americans, regardless of their circumstances. As a community action agency, ABCD features a tripartite board made up of representatives from the local private sector, public sector, and low-income community, all democratically chosen by a local ABCD Advisory Board of their peers. Leaders from these sectors work together to address the needs of our most underserved and at-risk neighbors.
This innovative program prepares young teens for the future by connecting them with people, resources, and impactful experiences that build knowledge, confidence, and determination.
Who Qualifies: YEA! is a free summer program for 13-year-olds living in the Greater Boston area whose families meet income eligibility requirements.
ABCD’s YEA! Program (Youth Engaged in Action) focuses on developing young leaders through awareness, advocacy, and action. Participants will explore how government functions take positive steps to address community challenges and understand the importance of financial wellness for themselves and their communities. YEA! includes workshops and expert sessions on budgeting, saving for the future, and presenting oneself with good judgment in the digital worlds. Participants also acquire essential job readiness skills and receive priority admission to the ABCD SummerWorks paid internship about job readiness program.
The Emerald Necklace Conservancy:
The Emerald Necklace Conservancy is dedicated to restoring and enhancing the Emerald Necklace for everyone. They connect people to parks and work to conserve the Emerald Necklace through projects and programs that enrich visitor experiences while revitalizing the landscape, waterways, and parkways. To steward the 1,100 acres of parkland that stretch from Boston Back Bay through Brookline and Jamaica Plain to Franklin Park in Dorchester, they collaborate with partners on advocacy, maintenance, restoration, education, and promoting park stewardship through volunteer and youth programs.
Vision:
As a steward of Franklin Law Olmsted’s over 130-year-old park system, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy aims to be recognized as a trusted collaborator, seamlessly working alongside public partners to restore, improve, maintain, and protect this iconic urban landscape. Their efforts will be visible to all and acknowledged nationally for establishing standards or excellence and best practices in preservation, advocacy, education, conservation, programming, safety, sustainability, and park administration.
Who They Are:
Founded in 1997, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy is a private non-profit organization focused on maintaining, restoring, and protecting the parks of the Emerald Necklace designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, making them accessible for all to explore and enjoy. Governed by a board of directors, the Conservancy unites representatives from both the private and public sectors to achieve these goals. Their activities complement the long-standing efforts of public partners, including the Boston Parks & Recreation Department, Brookline Parks and Open Space, and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Together, with their public and private partners, dedicated staff, and a growing group of volunteers, the Conservancy is committed to preserving Olmsted’s historic legacy and ensuring these parks continue to benefit the community for generations to come.
The Youth Leadership Program offers a unique blend of nature connection, environmental education, career exploration, and workforce development for Boston residents aged 15-18. The program requires a commitment of 7.5-10 hours per week. Participants will engage in a range of activities, including learning about climate change, watersheds, creating nature journals, facilitating presentations, observing bird language, and more. Discover the wonders of nature with the Emerald Necklace Conservancy’s Youth Leadership Program.
To Learn More About Emerald Necklace Conservancy’s School Year Youth Leadership Program, Click Here.
YouthBuild:
YouthBuild Boston (YBB) was established in 1990 to support underserved youth in gaining the skills and credential necessary for success in the construction an design industries.
YBB’s Mission:
YouthBuild Boston empowers young people of color by providing them with essential social, vocational, academic, and life skills to help them achieve self-sufficiency, community responsibility, and careers in the building sector.
YBB’s Vision:
YouthBuild Boston envisions a city abundant with opportunities for young people, along with a building trades sector that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. They aspire to foster a region with ample affordable housing and an economy that allows everyone to succeed.
These sessions, lasting 7 to 10 weeks, are designed for high school students seeking a rewarding after-school experience. Participants receive a bi-weekly stipend while developing essential graphic, modeling, and design-thinking skills through real projects for non-profit clients in the community.
Exceptional and dedicated students often participate in multiple semesters and gain internship opportunities with professional design firms in the Boston area.
The Designery also provides pro-bono design services by students and offers subsidized professional design services for other non-profits.
To Learn More About The Designery, Click Here.