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Youth Education and Service
The Central Park Conservancy's Youth Education and Service programs provide groups and individual youth with hands-on opportunities to learn about Central Park and help preserve and maintain its landscapes. Through activities that are both educational and fun, students develop a sense of stewardship for Central Park and other natural environments.
Youth Groups:
Woodlands Youth Crew
Registration required at least 2 weeks in advance
Program Fee: Free; each group is limited to 2 sessions per program year
Program Months: April - October
Program Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Program Hours: One 2-hour session per day starting at 3:00 pm, 3:30 pm, or 4:00 pm
Group Size: minimum of 5 students; maximum of 15 students; at least one adult chaperone
Group Age: students must be between the ages of 12 and 18
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The Woodlands Youth Crew is a group community service program that provides the opportunity for youth groups to participate in the restoration and maintenance of Central Park's three woodlands:
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The Hallett Nature Sanctuary - a 3.5-acre preserve set aside for wildlife and closed to the public since 1934.
The Ramble - a 38-acre "wild garden" (in Olmsted's words) with rocky outcrops, secluded glades, and meandering pathways.
The North Woods - a 95-acre forest designed in the image of the Adirondack forest with crystal streams, tumbling cascades, and the remnants of fortifications from the American Revolution and the War of 1812.
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Each session begins with a brief history of Central Park and the Conservancy and a lesson in forest ecology and invasive species. After a tool safety demonstration, students spend the remainder of the time doing some hands-on ecological restoration. Projects include invasive species removal, native species planting and the maintenance of trails and pathways. Students should dress to get dirty and wear only boots or sneakers (no open-toed shoes or slip-ons). Gloves and tools are provided but each student is encouraged to bring a bottle of water.
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For more information or to register a group, please call 212-360-1439 or
e-mail youth@centralparknyc.org.
Keeping It Green
Registration required at least 2 weeks in advance
Program Fee: $50 per session; each school is limited to 2 sessions per academic year
Program Months: September - November; March - June
Program Days: Thursdays
Program Hours: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Group Size: one class per session; at least one adult chaperone
Grades: K - 12
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The Central Park Conservancy invites all who use the Park to help care for it. Park stewardship is combined with environmental education for a meaningful, enjoyable way for students to serve their community. Environmental educators, who understand environmental principles as well as the Park’s horticultural needs, teach these action-packed programs.
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For more information or to register a group, please call 212-360-1470.
Individual Teens:
The Central Park Conservancy's programs for individual teens in grades 9 - 12, provide a longer-term engagement and deeper level of education. They are a fun way for high school students to learn about the environment, meet teens with similar interests, discover the variety of career opportunities that are available in the field of parks and recreation, and develop leadership skills.
ROOTS (Restoration of the Outdoors Organized by Teen Students)
Application Deadline: February 28
Program Months: April and May
Program Days: Mondays and Wednesdays
Program Hours: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Program Location: Hallett Nature Sanctuary
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Students participate in the ecological restoration of the Hallett Nature Sanctuary, a 3.5-acre preserve set aside for wildlife and closed to the public since 1934. Projects include the removal of invasive plants, planting native plants, and the construction and maintenance of woodchipped trails. Students earn community service hours for their time.
Applications become available in December.
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Summer Internship
Application Deadline: April 30
Program Months: July and August
Program Days: 5 days a week
Program Hours: 38 hours a week
Program Locations: Park-wide
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The Summer Internship Program provides full-time paid summer jobs with the Central Park Conservancy for approximately 20 high school students. Interns support the horticulture department and are placed alongside the Conservancy's Zone Gardeners to help maintain Central Park's landscapes.
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Summer Interns work 5-day, 38-hour weeks and are paid a competitive hourly wage. Similar to Conservancy staff, summer interns work to keep Central Park beautiful and safe for the millions of people who visit the Park every summer. From Monday through Thursday, interns work a 7:00 am - 3:30 pm shift, performing maintenance and horticulture tasks including litter removal, irrigation, weeding, planting, pruning, and special events. Every Friday, interns work a 9:30 am - 4:00 pm shift and get together as a group to complete special projects in Central Park or other local parks and green spaces.
While all high schools students are eligible to apply, preference is given to students who have participated in ROOTS during the spring.
Applications become available in March.
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For more information on our programs for individual teens or to inquire about an application, please contact Vanessa Francisco at 212-360-1439 or e-mail youth@centralparknyc.org.
The Central Park Conservancy's Youth Education and Service programs are generously supported, in part, by The Pinkerton Foundation; Estate of Mae McFarlane; William E. Weiss Foundation, Inc.; The Lucius N. Littauer Foundation, Inc.; The Barker Welfare Foundation; The Samuel and Rae Eckman Charitable Foundation, Inc.; Mrs. Mae Goffe; Farrell's Limousine Service; Oceanic Heritage Foundation; and The Fremont-Smith Family Fund.
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