Community Service Programs
for Teens
Connect with local communities and leave a lasting impact with meaningful service projects.
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. Age-compatible groups for teens completing grades 7-11.
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.
See All Partners and Projects
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.
More Ways to Enjoy this Experience
Frequently Asked Questions
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What if I need to contact my teen during the program?
Participants may bring their cell phones so parents may call and message their kids directly. You may also contact our Communication Centers which serve as the official link between programs on the road and parents. We are staffed every day during the summer and have somebody on call for after hours emergencies ready to assist you 24/7.
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Who are the staff and what are their qualifications?
Our staff are educators, guidance counselors, coaches, college and university students, former camp counselors, residence life coordinators, community volunteers, world travelers, and other leaders with diverse backgrounds. Many are former participants themselves who couldn’t get enough of the Westcoast experience! Learn more about our summer leaders.
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How are roommates assigned?
Giving everyone a chance to make new friends creates a cohesive group and the warmest and most welcoming social environments in our industry!
On our Active Teen Tours, Global Adventures and Community Service programs, rooming rotation is as follows:
To promote this we’ve found the best system is for the Program Director to assign the rooms for the first and second stops. For the first stop, independent travelers room with other independent travelers and any friends who enrolled can room together. All participants will be assigned a different roommate for the second stop. After the first two stops, choice of roommates is always up to you!On our Pre-College Enrichment programs & Career Experiences, rooming is as follows:
We assign independent travelers with another independent traveler for the duration of your stay. Any friends who enrolled together can room together.Important notes:
- Depending on the hotel bedding configuration, all friends traveling together may not be able to room together for the first stop.
- Roommates are assigned based on gender identity. We welcome all genders, inclusive of those anywhere on the gender spectrum.
- On a few programs where we spend an extended period of time at the first stop, participants have the opportunity to rotate after the first two nights.