GEN: Summer Opportunities

For almost 20 years we have shared life-changing experiences with thousands of students from across the United States and the entire world. Our students pursued various academic interests and artistic talents, learned foreign languages and discovered new cultures, prepared for the college years and made many lifelong friendships. Our programs are designed to give them unique, individual experiences, let them learn in a fun, interactive manner, and above all, give each and every one of our students our personal attention and assure their safety.

You are your experiences. ActionQuest offers incredible educational summer adventure camps for teens. For over 40 years, AQ has consistently delivered high-quality international leadership, sailing, scuba, community service and marine biology programs. Through hands-on learning and adventure travel throughout the world, we have successfully ignited the inherent leadership skills within thousands of young adults.

Over the past 25 years, Broadreach has expanded the horizons of over 17,000 middle school, high school and college students. On 70+ summer adventures in 40+ countries, our students have pursued their interests, unlocking the world, understanding its people and finding themselves along the way. They’ve earned 10,000+ college credits in subjects ranging from marine biology and medicine to Spanish and photography, and more than 33,000+ certifications through hands-on education. They’ve logged over 134,000 community service hours while making the world a better place, and traveled countless miles across oceans, off beaten paths and into ancient cultures. They came alone, but left with 10-12 incredible friends and the knowledge that life’s possibilities are limitless.

Cross-Cultural Solutions Summer High School Volunteer Abroad programs are designed for passionate students who want to serve others and connect to another culture while traveling abroad. CCS offers the most immersive, impactful, and safest summer volunteer programs. As a volunteer, you will engage in meaningful service work, learn about complex social issues, connect with people from different cultures, and journey to places you’ve only read about in a textbook or seen on Instagram. Get ready to make an impact with new friends and be inspired by new cultures.

Collateral Repair Project (CRP) was started in 2006 by two American women who saw a need for direct connection between citizens of coalition countries and innocent Iraqis who suffered from the consequences of war.

They set up Collateral Repair Project in Amman, Jordan, where many refugees were relocating during the height of the second Gulf War in Iraq. Much of CRP’s early work was charity-related, but as the organization grew it ran numerous programs focusing on community-building, education, and trauma relief in addition to emergency aid. Activities have greatly expanded over the years. As a result of the war in Syria, CRP started serving Syrian refugees. CRP now serves Jordanians as well as other nationals fleeing violence in their home countries, such as Sudanese, Somali, and Yemeni refugees, as well as assisting Iraqis and Syrians. CRP utilizes a holistic approach, addressing physical needs as well as trauma relief.

Through international exploration, meaningful service projects, and authentic community connections, participants discover new perspectives on the world and their role in it. You will feel deeply connected to, and more familiar with, the communities and countries you visit. You will have the experience of a lifetime -- working hard and making an immediate impact on the people and places you serve while also having fun, building new friendships, and learning about yourself!

We offer our students an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves into a small rural community, develop long-lasting cross-cultural relationships, and make positive contributions that will last a lifetime. Our high school, gap year, and college programs provide students with the chance to travel and share an experience with a group of peers while engaging with a local host community through homestays and volunteer work. In many of our programs, students work side by side with locals on projects selected by the community, such as constructing a school, health clinic, or community center. Our gap and college students can also integrate into local schools to teach or tutor English, math, science, art, life skills, or any other subject where a bit of extra help is needed.

Global Works combines community service, cultural exchange, language immersion, and adventure- which creates an unforgettable experience, friends for a lifetime, lessons in leadership, and impactful change!

NaTakallam offers high-quality language learning programs delivered by refugees fluent in the target language and English.

National Geographic offers student travel programs around the world each summer that aim to inspire and educate middle school and high school students ages 13 and older. Get into the field on an Expedition, Community Service trip, Photography Workshop, or University Workshop, in a destination that captures your imagination.

Not only is Rustic Pathways a pioneer in providing quality travel and service programs for students and educators, but we’re also redefining how to integrate education, travel, and philanthropy in a world where all people are connected by a shared humanity. At Rustic, our mission, vision, and values drive the way we run our programs, partner with local communities, and live our lives.

With 14 university partners and great metropolitan locations, Summer Discovery offers a lot to choose from!

Community service for teens is often a requirement for graduating high school and it's a great way for students to build their resumes and skill sets. More important, volunteer work for high school students can be a life-changing experience, one that allows teens to expand their horizons and foster meaningful relationships. Wondering where to volunteer? We have thousands of non-profit organizations in all 50 states that accept teens under 18 who are interested in everything from working with animals to volunteering at homeless shelters. Just begin your search by zip code and filter "community service" to find opportunities near you.

We believe that stepping outside of ourselves and encountering new perspectives fosters profound and positive change. We know that young people who engage in meaningful service work in unfamiliar environments gain exceptional insight—it’s been our program model for 30 years. Our students settle into the daily life of the host community, get to know local residents, experience different customs and in the process, begin to feel a sense of global connection. As one of the oldest international summer service organizations for teenagers, we celebrate this connectedness—and the hope it holds for the future.

We aim to empower communities through humanitarian support of individuals and groups, mainly youth and youth populations, where our parent company, World Wide Trekking (WWTrek) travels. As an organization that takes people trekking around the globe, WWTrek responds to a felt social obligation to give back to local communities that struggle with basic human needs. Our mission revolves around creating relationships with local people, establishing trust, patiently discovering their needs, and offering our support.