Nationwide Summer Programs for High Schoolers: Jobs, Internships, and Service Opportunities

Parents of ambitious teens know that summertime can be an invaluable season for growth. Beyond local camps or part-time jobs, there’s a whole world of nationwide summer programs for high school students – from conservation jobs in national parks to prestigious internships for teens at renowned institutions. These opportunities, open to students across the U.S., allow teens to explore careers, develop leadership skills, and experience life beyond their hometown.

Conservation and Outdoor Leadership Programs

One exciting avenue for teens is to work or volunteer in the great outdoors, where they can build trails, conserve wildlife habitat, and become environmental stewards. A prime example is the National Park Service’s Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), a federally run summer employment program that hires youth ages 15–18 for 8–10 week sessions in national parks. 

Through YCC, teens spend the summer working full-time on conservation projects – repairing trails, cleaning up campgrounds, restoring ecosystems, and more – all while getting paid (at least the federal or state minimum wage). Participants work in daytime crews and return home each evening, since most YCC positions are non-residential (Yellowstone National Park’s YCC is one notable exception that offers a residential experience). It’s a fantastic blend of “work, learn, play, and grow,” as the NPS puts it, immersing teens in nature, teaching them outdoor skills, and instilling a sense of public land stewardship. Teens interested in YCC can inquire at national parks or forests near them – programs operate across the country and usually accept applications in spring.

Another marquee program is offered by the Student Conservation Association (SCA), a nonprofit that places teens on national and community conservation crews. SCA’s National Conservation Crew programs bring together high schoolers (generally ages 15–19) from all over the country to work on trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and other conservation projects in national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges. These crews typically last 2–5 weeks over the summer, and participants camp on-site (often in tents) under the supervision of trained adult leaders. 

It’s a true adventure: teens cook their meals, learn to live without modern luxuries, and bond with peers from diverse backgrounds – all while improving parks and public lands. Outdoor leadership and teamwork are key outcomes; many SCA alumni emerge with newfound confidence, environmental knowledge, and lifelong friends. While SCA crew positions are often considered volunteer service, the program helps support students with travel scholarships or stipends in many cases (SCA notes that many positions offer stipends, service hours, or even academic credit as perks of participation). If your teen loves nature or wants a hands-on summer job that doubles as service, YCC and SCA are two nationwide options to put on your radar.

National Internship Programs for Teens

For teenagers who dream big – whether it’s working at a museum, researching space science, or building the next big app – national internship programs can offer a taste of the professional world. Some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions open up internships for high school students from anywhere in the country (though these can be highly competitive!). While exploring the below opportunities, also keep in mind that internships are not necessarily paid; if there is pay provided, it can vary greatly (school credit, stipends, flat fees, comparable hourly rates, etc). But the value received is often immeasurable! 

For example, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. hosts a Summer High School Internship program that invites students ages 14–18 to intern in various Smithsonian museums and research centers. A teen passionate about, say, natural history or art could spend a summer behind the scenes at the Smithsonian’s museums – assisting scientists or curators, learning how exhibits are made, and gaining real-world experience in museum work. 

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) notes that its high school interns get practical training through hands-on projects with museum staff, and these opportunities are open to any current high school student (not just locals). Keep in mind, such programs have early deadlines and selective admissions. For instance, the NMNH Summer High School Internship application deadline in 2025 was February 28 – well before summer! Students from outside the D.C. area would need to arrange housing if accepted, but the chance to intern at a world-class institution can be an eye-opening experience that makes a college application sparkle.

Another famed opportunity: NASA’s high school internships. Through the NASA Office of STEM Engagement, NASA offers paid internships to high school students (aged 16 or older) as well as college students. These internships typically last 10 weeks in the summer, during which students work under the guidance of NASA engineers, researchers, and experts at NASA centers across the country. A teenager might find themselves programming robots, analyzing satellite data, or even assisting with missions – all while getting a stipend and invaluable mentorship. 

The eligibility requirements mirror NASA’s high standards: interns must be U.S. citizens, at least 16, and have a strong academic record (3.0+ GPA). But for those who love STEM, the payoff is huge: NASA interns report learning cutting-edge technical skills and gaining a foot in the door for future STEM careers. NASA typically has three application cycles (spring, summer, fall), and summer internship applications are usually due by late winter (around January/February). The thought of a teen contributing to NASA’s mission to explore space is exciting (and not far-fetched – NASA confirms that high schoolers can indeed help advance real science and engineering projects).

Beyond these, there are other nationally recognized programs that ambitious teens might consider. Many universities and labs host summer research experiences for high schoolers. One legendary program is MIT’s Research Science Institute (RSI) – a six-week research camp for rising high school seniors held at MIT, where students conduct original science or engineering research under the guidance of top scientists. RSI is extremely selective (often touted as having an acceptance rate below 5%), and it draws talented students from across the U.S. and even internationally. Not every teen will land an RSI spot, of course, but the existence of such programs underscores that if your teen is a budding researcher, there are national-level opportunities to pursue their passion. 

Other examples include programs like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) summer internships (for older teens interested in biomedical research, though this has been canceled for 2025, keep an eye out as this presidential term finishes out) or various university-led internships in fields from journalism to entrepreneurship. If your local area doesn’t offer, say, an aerospace internship or a marine biology program, somewhere in the country there just might be one – and many now welcome high school applicants from anywhere, provided you can arrange travel or temporary residence.

National Volunteer Programs and Service Exchanges

Not all summer enrichment comes with a paycheck or prestige – volunteering can be just as rewarding. Thankfully, many well-known organizations run national youth volunteer programs or networks, meaning your teen can connect with service opportunities either in their community or even abroad.

One of the most far-reaching is the American Red Cross Youth Volunteer program. The Red Cross has chapters in communities across all 50 states, and they love involving teens in their mission of helping others. Red Cross youth volunteers can take on roles from assisting at blood drives to leading preparedness education campaigns, depending on local needs. The Red Cross even has a National Youth Council, offering scholarships and leadership training to dedicated young volunteers. Best of all, a teen can get involved with the Red Cross anywhere – it’s a nationally recognized organization, so it carries weight on resumes, but the volunteer work is done locally (or even virtually, through things like coordinating fundraisers or social media awareness for relief efforts). 

For those open to more adventurous service, consider international programs like Habitat for Humanity’s Global Youth Trips. Habitat for Humanity encourages youth (generally ages 14 and up) to swing a hammer and help build homes for families in need. Locally, that might mean your 16-year-old volunteering on a Habitat construction site or helping out at a Habitat ReStore (their thrift-store-style home improvement shops) to support housing projects. The impact on teens is powerful – they learn handy skills, see firsthand how service makes a difference, and often form bonds with the families they’re helping.

National service programs also include leadership and civic engagement camps that recruit teens from all over. For instance, Boys State and Girls State have been flagship civics programs in the U.S. for decades. These are usually run by the American Legion (Boys State) and American Legion Auxiliary (Girls State) in each state, but they follow a national model and curriculum. In the summer before senior year, students are selected to spend a week on a college campus forming a mock government – electing officials, debating bills, and learning firsthand how democracy works. 

If your teen is enthusiastic about government or leadership, watch for information from school counselors or local American Legion posts about applying to Boys or Girls State. It’s competitive (typically one or two students per high school get to go), but every state in the U.S. holds these programs, so it’s a national opportunity accessible to students everywhere.

Other youth leadership camps also draw nationwide participation. Organizations like 4-H, for example, run national 4-H leadership conferences and camps that bring teens from different states together. The 4-H program, known for its community clubs, has events like Citizenship Washington Focus (a leadership week in D.C.) and national 4-H youth leadership summits. 

Similarly, nonprofits such as the National Teen Leadership Program (NTLP) host multi-state leadership workshops. NTLP, a California-based nonprofit, offers leadership camps and one-day workshops open to teens in grades 8–12 across the country. At an NTLP camp, students might engage in team-building challenges, hear from motivational speakers, and design community service projects – all in a few action-packed days alongside peers from various regions. 

The takeaway is that if your teen is eager to develop as a leader, there are likely short-term summer programs out there recruiting nationally, from civics and leadership to cultural exchange workshops, that go beyond what they might find locally.

Online and Remote Opportunities for Any Location

In recent years, we’ve learned that meaningful summer experiences don’t always require travel at all. If you live in a rural area with few options nearby, or if your teen prefers to stay home/can’t drive, there are plenty of online/remote opportunities that can be just as enriching. Virtual internships and volunteer projects exploded in popularity and availability, allowing teens to contribute to real projects from the comfort of their computer.

One exciting area is citizen science. Websites like Zooniverse (the world’s largest platform for people-powered research) enable anyone, including high schoolers, to assist scientists with research by analyzing data online. A teen can help identify galaxies in telescope images, catalog wildlife from trail camera photos, or transcribe old ship logs to aid climate research – all through a web interface. These projects typically require no specific expertise; scientists provide a brief training or tutorial, and volunteers jump in. It’s a perfect remote activity for a curious teen: they get to be part of a research team and learn about science in the process. Plus, it can be done on a flexible schedule. 

Another example is the Smithsonian Digital Volunteers program, which invites volunteers to help transcribe historical documents and edit metadata for museum collections via the internet. By joining the Smithsonian’s online Transcription Center, teens can help turn scanned letters, diaries, and field notebooks into searchable text, making them accessible to researchers and the public. According to the Smithsonian, their army of online “volunpeers” has transcribed over a million pages of historical documents – an amazing collective achievement. Your teen could contribute to that, gaining a sense of connection to history and museums without ever leaving home.

Remote volunteering can also leverage a teen’s academic skills. Virtual tutoring and mentoring programs have become a popular way for high schoolers to give back. For instance, nonprofits like Learn To Be and UPchieve allow teens (usually 16 or older) to volunteer as online tutors, helping younger students with homework via Zoom or custom tutoring platforms. These organizations actively welcome high school tutors. Teens typically undergo a short training, then get matched with an elementary or middle school student who needs academic support. Not only does the younger child benefit, but the teen tutor learns responsibility, communication skills, and patience. It’s also a leadership opportunity: some programs offer certificates or even the chance to earn the President’s Volunteer Service Award for dedicating enough hours. And of course, it’s entirely remote – a teen in a small town can tutor a child in a big city, bridging geographic and socioeconomic divides through technology. 

Other remote ideas include volunteering as a youth crisis text line counselor (for older teens with proper training), creating digital content for nonprofits, or even organizing a virtual fundraiser for a cause they care about. The pandemic taught us that location is no longer a barrier to making a difference or gaining experience. So if your community lacks options, the internet can connect your teen to fulfilling summer projects anywhere in the nation (or world!).

How to Research and Apply

As you and your teen explore these national programs, a word to the wise: start early and stay organized. Many of the most coveted opportunities – especially internships and selective camps – have application deadlines months in advance of summer. It’s not uncommon for programs to open applications in the fall or winter. Encourage your teen to research opportunities over the fall of their next school year: make a list of programs that interest them, note the requirements (age, GPA, essays, recommendation letters, etc.), and track those deadlines. This way, when winter rolls around, they’ll be ready to apply.

Applications for nationwide programs can vary – some are as simple as an online form, while others might require personal statements or interviews. Help your teen put their best foot forward by tailoring their resume or essay to the program’s goals. Also, don’t shy away from reaching out to program coordinators with questions. It’s perfectly fine to email a program’s contact person to ask about daily details, housing options (if far from home), or what the selection criteria are. Demonstrating interest can even put your teen on their radar.

Finally, have a backup plan or two. National programs are competitive, and not every deserving teen will get a spot. Encourage your child to apply to a mix of “reach” programs and more accessible ones, and perhaps plan a solid local option as a fallback (like a community internship or project they can do if nothing else pans out). But rest assured, with enough exploration, you’re likely to find at least one national opportunity that aligns with your teen’s interests and goals.

Regardless of whether your high schooler is passionate about conserving the environment, eager to delve into a career field, or motivated to serve others, there’s a summer program out there beyond your backyard waiting for them. These experiences can challenge teens in the best way – broadening their horizons, boosting their confidence, and connecting them with peers and mentors who share their passions. As a parent, it’s exciting (and a little nerve-wracking!) to send your teen off into the wider world, but knowing programs are well-structured and reputable (often run by known organizations) can give peace of mind. The growth your teen will experience can be tremendous. Who knows? A summer spent in a national program might just ignite a lifelong calling or become the story they tell on college move-in day about “that summer I’ll never forget.” So, as you plan for the next summer break, think nationally and keep these opportunities in mind – the investment in application effort and possibly travel can pay dividends in your teen’s development. Happy program-hunting, and here’s to a summer of learning, service, and adventure!