YMCA Global Teens is a leadership development and service learning program that engages teens in a year-long empowering international experience culminating with a summer service abroad experience.
About Global Teens
Y Global Teens is a leadership program that promotes civic engagement and a deeper understanding of social issues of local and global magnitude to prepare young people to lead in the 21st century. The Global Teens Program aims to empower and endow the next generation of global leaders with innovative and cultural competency skills necessary to lead inclusively in a world that is ever more interdependent. The experience builds on the leadership skills of teens already actively engaged in YMCA youth programs.
Program Components
The program has three components:
- Pre-travel
- Travel
- Post-trip component, the culmination of the year-long curriculum
The personal interactions and leadership development gained through team building, a community assessment, service projects and advocacy training build a spirit of community among the teens. The teens identify and learn different ways to address issues that affect them directly or indirectly using the following areas of focus: Environment, Civic Engagement, Health and Youth Employment/Career Development. These areas of focus are aligned with the priorities of The World YMCA. As a Global Teen of the YMCA, it is important to understand the implications these focus areas have on the global teen experience. The program includes deep personal growth and discovery, cultural travel, meaningful service and college readiness.
Eligible Applicants Are
- Currently participating in a YMCA program
- In high school
- Available to attend regular mandatory meetings pre and post travel
- Available to travel in July or August
- Curious, open to new experiences
- Want to make their community a better place
- Embody the YMCA core values
To Apply
The application period for the summer program opens in September.