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2026 Teen Corps Application

Riverside Park Conservancy’s Teen Corps Program is an experiential learning program for high school students interested in learning basic horticultural skills, including tool use, plant identification, and environmental restoration. Teen Corps Interns work closely with our zone gardeners to care for NYC’s essential open space by maintaining key horticultural sites, managing woodland areas and keeping the park safe, clean, and healthy.

Teen Corps runs from Tuesday, July 7th through Thursday, August 27th, 2026. Teen Corps interns meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00am-12:00pm in Riverside Park, Sakura Park, or Fort Washington Park, between 110th St and 181st St. Upon completion of 48 hours of service over the summer, the interns receive a $1,000 stipend.

To be eligible to apply teens must live in Manhattan Community Board 9, which extends from 110th Street to 155th Street between Riverside Drive and St. Nicholas Ave/Morningside Ave. This includes the West Harlem neighborhoods of Morningside Heights, Manhattanville, and Hamilton Heights.

Applications will close on May 1.

Applicant Name(Required)

First Last

Preferred Name (optional)

Gender (optional)

Pronouns (optional)

Unisex T-Shirt Size(Required)

Address(Required)

Street Address City State ZIP Code

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

School(Required)

Current Grade(Required)

Date of Birth(Required)

Do you have any allergies?(Required)

Yes

No

Fill in if yes:

Emergency Contact

Emergency Contact Name(Required)

First Last

Relationship to Self(Required)

Emergency Contact Phone Number(Required)

Emergency Contact Email(Required)

Emergency Contact Preferred Language(Required)

All Teen Corps members are required to complete 48 community service hours over the course of the program. While Teen Corps members can miss up to two sessions if necessary due to academic or family commitments, absences should be scheduled in advance with supervisor approval and promptly made up. Make-ups can be scheduled at any point during the program. Do you expect to miss any days (vacation, summer school, etc.)? If so, which dates?(Required)

Why are you interested in joining the Riverside Teen Corps and what do you hope to get out of this internship? (100-200 words)(Required)

From your own experience, what does environmental stewardship in an urban area mean to you? (100-200 words)(Required)

How does the park system currently serve your community? How could it BETTER serve your community? (100-200 words)(Required)

What are your specific interests and/or passions related to the environment? (100-200 words)(Required)

Optional: Share any other relevant experiences or questions you may have.

Share a photo of yourself!(Required)

Max. file size: 50 MB.

Tell us what the picture says about you, and why the photo is significant to you.