Community Service Programs
for Teens
Connect with local communities and leave a lasting impact everywhere you go with meaningful service projects. Age-compatible groups for teens completing grades 7-12.
The Perfect Balance of Service and Adventure
One day, you're helping run a day camp for children or building a home for someone in need. The next, you could be zip-lining above the forest canopy or surfing the ocean waves!
Our programs combine meaningful service with exciting adventures for an unforgettable summer experience. We know when to pick up the pace to get the adrenaline flowing and we also know when it’s time to chill with a little downtime.
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Established Service Partners
We partner with established organizations that have a long history of achieving their goals and integrating teen volunteers into their efforts. Alongside these partners, we participate in volunteer projects that focus on community welfare, youth leadership, infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and wildlife conservation.
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Focusing on What Matters Most
We follow the guidance of our service partners when selecting our projects, and adjust to the needs of the local communities. This way, our service hours have the greatest impact and move forward the projects of the highest priority.
Service-Learning Experiences
We incorporate service-learning for our students as a form of education that involves personal reflection, practical skills, and social engagement to offer a truly enriching experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who are your volunteer partners?
We work with longstanding non-profit organizations that have been carefully screened by our program coordinators. These include Boys and Girls Clubs, Habitat for Humanity, and Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation, among other organizations. For more information, see our full list of partners and projects.
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Do you have a local guide on international programs?
In addition to our staff, you enjoy the benefit of a local guide with us daily on our community service programs and global adventures in Central & South America, Africa, Asia, Iceland and New Zealand. This guide helps create a smooth and safe experience. They help with logistics, confirm details (hotels, transport, restaurants, activities), provide information about the area and culture, translate to help meet dietary needs, coordinate bank, hospital or supermarket visits as needed, and communicate with local service partners and recreation providers. In other international destinations, we have local guides join us for specific touring highlights or adventure activities as needed.
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What is the President’s Volunteer Service Award?
The President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) is a prestigious award given to those completing community service over a 12 month period. If you are interested in earning this award, it is available to any US citizen or resident and you can use your hours completed on our programs towards earning it. For many participants, it only takes 50 hours to earn the Bronze medallion, 75 hours to earn the Silver medallion and 100+ hours to earn the Gold medallion.
Westcoast Connection is a Certifying Organization for the PVSA.