1.American Culinary federation (ACF)
Conferences/Membership
The ACF, a professional organization for chefs and cooks, offers membership for high school students and culinary enthusiasts. Members receive networking opportunities, access to conferences and conventions, publications, the opportunity to participate in culinary competitions, and discounts on products. High school student members must be between the ages of 16 and 18 and enrolled in a vocational program. The culinary enthusiast category is open to anyone with an interest in the culinary arts.
American Culinary Federation
180 Center Place Way
St. Augustine, FL
2.American Hotel and Lodging Association
Field Experience
The American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) and its members participate in National Groundhog Job Shadow Day (NGJSD) each February. The NGJSD is a “national campaign that gives young people a new perspective on their studies through hands-on learning and a one-day mentoring experience.” In 2008, more than 2,000 restaurants and hotels hosted nearly 20,000 participants. As a participant, you might shadow a hotel manager or reservation clerk or actually work as a hotel employee for a day. This program will provide you with an excellent opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of the hotel industry, work settings, and careers in the field. Contact the AHLA for more information on the program.
American Hotel and Lodging Association
1201 New York Avenue, NW,
Suite 600
Washington, DC
3.American Hotel and Lodging Association Educational Institute
Competitions/Field Experience
The Educational Institute offers two programs for high school juniors and seniors who are interested in working in the hospitality industry: the Lodging Management Program and the START (Skills, Tasks, and Results Training) program. The Lodging Management Program is a two-year, advanced high school curriculum that combines classroom learning with work experience in the hospitality industry. More than 7,000 students at 575 high schools have participated in the program. The program has six units: Overview of Lodging Management, The Front Office, Housekeeping, Leadership and Management, Marketing and Sales, and Food and Beverage Service. Graduating seniors who pass examinations and work in the lodging industry for at least 160 hours receive the certified rooms division specialist designation. Program participants also compete for lodging scholarships at a national competition. Past competition activities have included a room inspection (where competitors had to inspect an actual hotel room and find 10 things that were wrong—no pillowcases, dirty linens, broken television, etc.), a knowledge-bowl competition, and sales/marketing or food/ beverage case-study presentations. The START program is a one-year or 180-classroom-hour curriculum (Hospitality Orientation, Rooms Division, and Food and Beverage Division) that “provides training for hospitality positions in the rooms and food and beverage divisions of a lodging operation, including front desk, reservations, housekeeping, bell services, restaurant service, banquet setup and service, and more. Guest service, professionalism, and career exploration are other important components of this program.” It is geared toward at-risk youth, welfareto- work program participants, and other groups who might need extra help building the skills necessary for success in the workplace. High school students in all grades are eligible, although the foundation suggests that this program is most appropriate for freshmen or sophomores who plan to participate in the Lodging Management Program as upperclassmen. Students who complete the program receive a voucher that waives the fees for a hospitality skills certification in one of the 12 areas covered in the START curriculum. This gives them a good start to building a career in the hospitality industry.
American Hotel and Lodging Association Educational
Institute
800 North Magnolia Avenue,
Suite 300
Orlando, FL
4.Big apple Greeter
Volunteer Opportunities
Big Apple Greeter is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance New York City’s image by helping visitors discover its hidden treasures. If you live in New York and love everything about it, perhaps there’s a tour guide hidden in you. Volunteer tour guides welcome visitors to all five boroughs and show them that the big city can have small-town charm. Greeters personally take visitors to neighborhoods, cultural attractions, historic sites, and hot spots that only a New Yorker would know. If you’d prefer a behind-the-scenes role, the opportunities include responding to inquiries from visitors, matching greeters with visitors, and providing general office and data-entry assistance. This is a great way to gain experience in the field of hospitality and tourism. Get all the details by phone, email, or mail, or check out Big Apple Greeter’s Web site, where you can apply for volunteer positions online. If you don’t live in New York City, perhaps there is a similar service in your city or town. Check with your local government or convention bureau for opportunities in your area.
Big Apple Greeter
One Centre Street
New York, NY
5.Camp Chi
Camps
Camp Chi, located near the beautiful Wisconsin Dells, features many activities, including art, athletics, cooking, media, outdoor adventure, performing arts, and water sports. Students interested in the media option can work on the camp newspaper. Campers work as writers, reporters, editors, and designers for the newspaper and learn the fundamentals of publishing a newspaper from instructors. In addition to all the activities, the camp, which is operated by the Jewish Community Centers of Chicago, has a heated swimming pool, a spring-fed lake with waterfront activities, a climbing and rappelling wall, a roller hockey arena, rope courses, six tennis courts, and an animal farm. The staff-to-camper ratio is one to three. Camp Chi is for students ages nine to 16. You stay in cabins with built-in bunk beds. If you’re 14 to 16 years old, Camp Chi offers a separate village just for teens. Cost of the camp ranges from $1,235 to $6,710, depending on age level and program. This cost includes everything but transportation to the site. Visit Camp Chi’s Web site for more information.
Camp Chi
Summer Office:
PO Box 104
Lake Delton, WI
Winter Office:
5050 Church Street
Skokie, IL
6.College and Careers Program at rochester Institute of Technology
College Courses/Summer Study
The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) offers its College and Careers Program for rising high school seniors who want to experience college life and explore career options in engineering sciences; computing; science and mathematics; business; liberal arts; art, design, and crafts; and photography. The program, in existence since 1990, allows you to spend a Friday and Saturday on campus living in the dorms and attending up to four sessions in the career areas of your choice. In each session, participants work with RIT students and faculty to gain hands-on experience in the topic area. One recent session was titled Hospitality & Service Management: Super Resorts of Tomorrow. Participants imagined hotels and resorts of the future and participated in a variety of fun, hands-on activities. Other recent classes that might be of interest include International Business: Impacts and Issues in the New Global Economy; Information Systems: The Power Behind a Successful Business; Marketing: Will Your Idea Sell?; and General Management: Why Are Creativity and Innovation Essential in Business? The program is held twice each summer, usually once in mid-July and again in early August. The registration deadline is one week before the start of the program, but space is limited and students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. For further information about the program and specific sessions on offer, contact the RIT admissions office.
College and Careers Program
Rochester Institute of Technology
Office of Admissions
60 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY
7.Collegiate Scholars Program at arizona State uni ersity
College Courses/Summer Study/ Employment and Internship Opportunities
The Collegiate Scholars Program allows high school students to earn college credit during summer academic sessions. Students get the opportunity to explore careers and interact with college professors, as well as receive access to internships, mentoring programs, and research opportunities. Arizona high school seniors may apply, and they are evaluated for admission based on their “high school GPA and/or class rank, test scores, high school schedules, and involvement in other programs offering college credit.” Some of the courses that will be of interest to students who would like to explore the wide array of career options in travel and tourism include Private Pilot Ground School, Air Traffic Control, Aviation Meteorology, Math for Business, Statistics, Accounting, Writing for the Professions, Public Speaking, Cultural Diversity, Introduction to Southeast Asia, and various foreign languages courses. Contact the Collegiate Scholars executive coordinator for information on program costs and other details.
Arizona State University Collegiate Scholars Program
Attn: Executive Coordinator
8.Early Experience Program at The University of Denver
College Courses/Summer Study
The University of Denver invites academically gifted high school students interested in a variety of subjects to apply for its Early Experience Program, which involves par ticipating in university-level classes during the school year and especially during the summer. Recently offered courses include Exploring the World of Hospitality; Survey of Hospitality; Managing the Restaurant Operation; Managing the Lodging Operation; Principles of Tourism; Selling the Hospitality Experience; Hospitality Information Systems and Technology; and various business, mathematics, writing, and foreign language courses. This is a commuter- only program. Interested students must submit a completed application (with essay), official high school transcript, standardized test results (PACT/ACT/PSAT/ SAT), a letter of recommendation from a counselor or teacher, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Tuition is approximately $1,850 per four-credit class. Contact the Early Experience Program coordinator for more information.
University of Denver
Center for Innovative and
Talented Youth
Early Experience Program
Attn: Coordinator
1981 South University Boulevard
Denver, CO
9.Earthwatch Institute
Conferences/Field Experience/Employment and Internship Opportunities/ Volunteer Opportunities/Membership
Earthwatch Institute is an organization for people whose spirit of adventure is as great as their commitment to the earth’s well-being. A nonprofit membership organization founded in 1971, Earthwatch’s major activity is linking volunteers with scientific research expeditions that need them. There are about 130 different expeditions every year, covering all continents but Antarctica, each lasting anywhere from five days to almost three weeks. If you are 16 or 17, you can join a Teen Team and participate in an expedition researching Costa Rican caterpillars, for example, or Australia’s fossil forests. Whichever expedition you choose, you work with five to 10 other people under the guidance of a research scientist (often a university professor working in his or her field of expertise).
Living and working conditions vary widely among the expeditions; you might stay in a hotel or a tent, or remain at one site or hike to several locations while carrying a heavy backpack. Expenses also vary widely, from about $199 to $4,000, depending on travel, accommodation, eating arrangements, and other necessary provisions. Earthwatch reminds potential volunteers, however, that your payment of expenses (along with the donation of your time) is really an investment in environmental research. Of course, you’re also investing in your own future. With so many expeditions to choose from, you’ll be able to gain experience in career fields ranging from ecology to national park service, and from natural history to wildlife preservation. Contact Earthwatch for its annual catalog listing all the details. Even if you’re not up for one of their demanding expeditions, Earthwatch invites you to become a member at the standard rate of $35 per year. You can also attend Earthwatch’s annual conference or apply for an internship at its offices in Oxford, England; Melbourne, Australia; or Tokyo, Japan. Contact the institute for more information.
Earthwatch Institute
Three Clock Tower Place, Suite 100
PO Box 75
Maynard, MA
10.Environmental Studies Summer youth Institute at hobart and William Smith Colleges
College Courses/Summer Study
Hobart and William Smith Colleges sponsor the Environmental Studies Summer Youth Institute (ESSYI) for rising high school juniors and seniors. Academically talented students are invited to participate in this examination of environmental issues from scientific, social, and humanistic perspectives; the institute will be of interest to aspiring adventure travel specialists, tour guides, travel writers, and others interested in employment in the travel and tourism industry. Running for two full weeks in July, the ESSYI comprises classroom courses, laboratory procedures, outdoor explorations, and plenty of time to discuss and think about integrating these many approaches to understanding the environment. Lectures encompass ecology, philosophy, geology, literature, topography, and art, among other areas of study, and are conducted by professors from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Your study of the environment and how humans relate to it also includes field trips to such places as quaking bogs, organic farms, the Adirondack Mountains, and Native American historical sites. Participants also make use of the HMS William F. Scandling, the colleges’ 65-foot research vessel, as they explore the ecology of nearby Seneca Lake. ESSYI students live on campus and have access to all of the colleges’ recreational facilities. Those who complete this intellectually and physically challenging program are awarded college credit. The fee for the program is $2,200. For information on financial aid and application procedures, contact the institute director.
11.Experimental Aircraft Association Camps/Employment and Internship
Opportunities/Field Experience/Membership/
Volunteer Programs
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) seeks to get young people interested and involved in aviation via a variety of programs and activities.
Its free Young Eagles Flight Program matches young people between the ages of eight and 17 who are fascinated by flight with adult pilots eager to share their enthusiasm for aviation. Young Eagles actually fly with the pilots. Flights last 15 to 20 minutes. More than 1.3 million young people have participated in the program since 1992. Opportunities in this program are available throughout the United States. Students between the ages of 12 and 18 can take part in the EAA Air Academy, where they spend a week immersed in the world of aviation in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Participants learn about aviation through classes, hands-on activities, flight simulation, a flight in an actual airplane, and other activities. Participants stay in the Air Academy Lodge, which has 12 bunkrooms with four bunks per room and shared bathroom facilities, recreational facilities (volleyball court, basketball court, slate pool table, Foosball, Ping-Pong, and televisions), a library, and a gazebo with fire pit. Tuition for those ages 12–13 is $600 for EAA members and $675 for nonmembers; ages 14–15, $800 (members) and $875 (nonmembers); ages 16–18, $1,000 (members) and $1,075 (nonmembers). Financial aid is available.
The EAA also offers summer internships for members or those who have been recommended by current members. Applicants must be committed to supporting association activities and youth programs. Responsibilities “may range from assisting in research and filing in the Boeing Aeronautical Library to moving and securing aircraft and minor maintenance of buildings, grounds, and aircraft.” Internships are typically available to college-level students. Volunteer opportunities also are available.
Finally, membership is available for students. Those age 17 or under can join in the student category ($10) and receive “access to an exclusive student membersonly Web site featuring more online tools and resources, career planning information, and applications for aviation scholarships.” They also receive a Student Membership Kit, which contains an XPlane flight simulator demo; EAA Aviation Highlights DVD, Reach for the Sky; and a Whitewings glider.
Experimental Aircraft Association
3000 Poberenzy Road
Oshkosh, WI
EAA Young Eagles
PO Box 2683
Oshkosh, WI
EAA Air Academy
PO Box 2683
Oshkosh, WI
12.Exploration Summer Programs: Senior Program at Yale University
College Courses/Summer Study
Exploration Summer Programs (ESP) has been offering academic summer enrichment programs to students for more than three decades. Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors can participate in ESP’s Senior Program at Yale University. Two three-week residential and day sessions are available. Participants can choose from more than 80 courses. Recently offered courses include The Write Stuff— Creative Writing; Go to Press!—Print Journalism; From Deserts to Dubai—Arabic Language & Culture; Can You Hear Me Now?—Advertising + Marketing; Speak Easy!—Public Speaking; and Explo Apprentice—Introduction to Business Management. All courses and seminars are ungraded and not-for-credit. In addition to academics, students participate in extracurricular activities such as tours, sports, concerts, weekend recreational trips, college trips, and discussions of current events and other issues. Basic tuition for the Residential Senior Program is approximately $4,555 for one session and $8,390 for two sessions. Day session tuition ranges from approximately $2,100 for one session to $3,820 for two sessions. A limited number of need-based partial and full scholarships are available. Programs are also available for students in grades four through nine. Contact ESP for more information.
Exploration Summer Programs
932 Washington Street
PO Box 368
Norwood, MA
| 13.Federal Aviation Administration Employment and Internship Opportunities The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) offers the Summer Employment Initiative for students ages 16 and older. Students in the program work as clerks, engineering technicians, and in other positions at FAA headquarters (Washington, D.C.) and field locations throughout the United States. These jobs provide an introduction to typical work settings and job specialties with the FAA. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have a GPA of at least 2.0 on a scale of 4.0. The duration of the job will not exceed six months (April through September), and part-time and full-time employment is available. Contact the FAA for more information on the initiative. Federal Aviation Administration 800 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC |
14.High School Honors Program/Summer Challenge Program/
Summer Preview at Boston University
College Courses/Summer Study
Three summer educational opportunities are available for high school students. Rising high school seniors can participate in the High School Honors Program, which offers six-week, for-credit undergraduate study at the university. Students take two for-credit classes (up to eight credits) alongside regular Boston College students, live in dorms on campus, and participate in extracurricular activities and tours of local attractions. Classes are available in more than 50 subject areas, including hospitality (recent classes include Introduction to the Hospitality Industry and Hospitality Field Experience), accounting, anthropology, creative writing, foreign languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Ancient Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Spanish), management, marketing, and public relations. The program typically begins in early July. Students who demonstrate financial need may be eligible for financial aid. Tuition for the program is approximately $4,120, not including registration/ program/application fees ($550) and room and board options ($1,897 to $2,055).
Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors in the University’s Summer Challenge Program learn about college life and take college classes in a noncredit setting. The program is offered in three sessions. Students choose two seminars (which feature lectures, group and individual work, project- based assignments, and field trips) from a total of 15 available programs, including Mass Communication (which covers film, television, advertising, public relations, and journalism), Business: From the Ground Up, Introduction to Chinese, and Creative Writing. Students live in dorms on campus and participate in extracurricular activities and tours of local attractions. The cost of the program is approximately $3,070 (which includes tuition, a room charge, meals, and sponsored activities).
Rising high school freshman and sophomores can participate in one-week Summer Preview Programs. This noncredit, commuter program introduces students to college life and a particular area of study, including the study of writing. Students in the Learning the Art of Writing program will learn about various writing styles and techniques via a workshop environment. The cost of the program is $1,100 (which includes tuition, textbooks, lunch, and activities). No financial aid is available.
Boston University High School Programs
755 Commonwealth Avenue,
Room 105
Boston, MA
15.The International ecotourism Society
Conferences/Employment and Internship Opportunities/Membership/Volunteer Programs
This nonprofit organization is “committed to helping organizations, communities, and individuals promote and practice the principles of ecotourism.” It offers a traveler membership category for ecotourists and supporters of ecotourism. Benefits include discounts on select ecolodges and operators, society publications, and access to volunteer, internship, and job opportunities.
Students interested in ecotourism can volunteer at organization events such as conferences and meetings. Volunteers at past events were tasked with “assisting speakers with their presentations, taking minutes, guiding participants, distributing promotional materials, and helping with receptions and other networking functions.” Students can also participate in voluntourism activities (which the society defines as “tourism activities involving various types of volunteering”). Visit the society’s Web site to learn more about voluntourism opportunities with its members.
The International Ecotourism Society
PO Box 96503, #34145
Washington,
16.Intern exchange International
Employment and Internship Opportunities
High school students ages 16 to 18 (including graduating seniors) who are interested in gaining real-life experience in travel and tourism can participate in a month-long summer internship in the United Kingdom. Young people considering careers in the hospitality industry can pursue an internship in hotel management, working alongside the professionals at The Lanesborough, Westbury, Four Seasons, or the Langham hotels in London. You’ll learn about all the major hotel concerns, from the front desk to the kitchen to the guest rooms. Internships are also available in business/finance, culinary arts, public relations/marketing/ advertising, publishing, and other fields. Additionally, a Print & Broadcast Journalism Media and Design Workshop is available or those between the ages of 15 and 18. The cost of either program is approximately $7,335 plus airfare; this fee includes tuition, housing (students live in residence halls at the University of London), breakfast and dinner daily, housekeeping service, linens and towels, special dinner events, weekend trips and excursions, group activities including scheduled theatre outings, and a Tube Pass. Contact Intern Exchange International for more information.
Intern Exchange International, Ltd.
2606 Bridgewood Circle
Boca Raton, FL
17.Internship Connection
Employment and Internship Opportunities
Internship Connection provides summer or “gap year” internships to high school and college students in Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C. Internships are available in hospitality/ hotel management. As part of the program, participants learn how to create a resume, participate in a job interview, and develop communication and personal skills that are key to success in the work world. They also get the chance to make valuable contacts during their internships that may help them land a job once they complete college. The program fee for interns in New York or Washington is $2,500, and $2,000 for those in Boston. Contact Internship Connection for more information.
Internship Connection
17 Countryside Road
Newton, MA
18.Learning for Life Exploring Program
Field Experience
Learning for Life’s Exploring Program is a career exploration program that allows young people to work closely with community organizations to learn life skills and explore careers. Opportunities are available in the following programs: Arts & Humanities, Aviation, Business, Communications, and other fields. Each program has five areas of emphasis: Career Opportunities, Service Learning, Leadership Experience, Life Skills, and Character Education. As a participant in the Aviation program, you might “take orientation flights in military transports, helicopters, gliders, or single-engine general aviation aircraft; visit Air Force bases, aviation museums, air shows, or Federal Aviation Administration facilities; learn to preflight an aircraft; and take pilot training groundschool classes.” To be eligible to participate in this program, you must be between 15 and 21 years of age or be 14 and have completed the eight grade.
To find a Learning for Life office in your area (there are more than 300 throughout the United States), contact the Learning for Life Exploring Program.
Learning for Life Exploring Program
1325 West Walnut Hill Lane
PO Box 152079
Irving, TX
19.National academy foundation
Employment and Internship Opportunities/Field Experience
If your high school is pursuing school to-work initiatives, you may have already heard of the National Academy Foundation (NAF). A nonprofit foundation, it was established in 1982 to promote partnerships between businesses and public high schools. Under NAF’s guidance, these partnerships grow into Academies, or schools within schools, that focus on such career fields as finance, engineering, information technology, and—yes— hospitality and tourism. If you have the opportunity to participate in such an Academy at your school, give it some serious consideration. Participants in NAF’s programs have generally enjoyed great success in college and in their careers because they are well prepared for the world of work. Students involved in the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism participate in six- to eight-week paid internships with hospitality- or travel-related activities, job shadowing, field trips, and mentoring. They may also have the opportunity to earn college credits while in high school. If your high school does not have an Academy, it might be worth your while to give your principal information about the National Academy Foundation. Even if he or she is interested, it will take some time to set up a partnership, but it should be worth the wait.
National Academy Foundation
39 Broadway, Suite 1640
New York, NY
20.National High School Institute at Northwestern university
College Courses/Summer Study
The National High School Institute is the nation’s oldest university-based program for outstanding high school students. It was established in 1931. The month-long program offers the following courses: debate, speech, journalism, music, film and video, and theatre arts. Students in the journalism program learn reporting skills and participate in hands-on writing workshops. They also attend seminars given by journalism professors and take field trips to media sites in the Chicago area. The student-to-teacher ratio for these programs is 6 to 1. Applicants for the journalism section must be rising seniors, rank academically in the top 25 percent of their class, and “meet a high standard of character, dependability, and intelligence.” A variety of extracurricular activities are also available to students in the program, including tours, movies, shopping, sing-alongs, and outings to sporting and cultural events. Students live on campus in university residence halls, where they also take their meals. Costs range from approximately $2,850 to $6,500 depending on the program (tuition for the journalism program is about $4,550); these amounts include tuition, room, board, health services, field trips, and group events. Scholarships are available. The early admission deadline is typically in the beginning of March, while the regular admission deadline is in late March or early April. Visit the program’s Web site for more information.
Northwestern University National High School Institute
617 Noyes Street
Evanston, IL
21.National Park Service Student Educational Employment Program
Youth Programs/Employment and Internship Opportunities/Field Experience/Volunteer Programs
The federal government’s Student Educational Employment Program is available to high school, college, and professional degree students. Participants are paid a salary and gain valuable work experience while attending school, which may lead to future employment with the National Park Service (NPS) or other federal agencies after graduation. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or residents of American Samoa or Swains Islands. The NPS offers more than 25 programs for people between the ages of five and 24. The programs, such as the Youth Conservation Corps and Public Land Corps, will help educate you about the environment while you work with conservation workers to improve national parks. Visit the NPS Web site to learn about the wide range of programs that are available and to view photos of past projects.
You can also protect and preserve America’s natural and cultural heritage by becoming a park volunteer. You might work as a volunteer at a visitor center in Acadia National Park or a horse center volunteer at Rock Creek Park, help out in the office at Big Cypress National Preserve, or perform a variety of other tasks. Visit the NPS Web site to search for volunteer opportunities by state and national park.
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC
22.Outdoor Writers Association of America
Competitions
Students in grades six through 12 can participate in the Norm Stung Youth Writing Competition. Submissions must be about outdoors-oriented themes (nature, ecology, hiking, boating, camping, fishing, hunting, canoeing, etc.) and have already been published in a school related or commercial newspaper, newsletter, magazine, collection, or other publication. There are contest categories for prose and poetry in two divisions: junior (grades six through eight) and senior (grades nine through 12). Winners receive a cash prize and a certificate of honor. Visit the association’s Web site for more information.
Outdoor Writers Association of America
121 Hickory Street, Suite 1
Missoula, MT
23.Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PaII)
Membership/Seminars
The association offers an aspiring innkeeper membership option, although its cost ($199) suggests that it is geared more toward young professionals or career changers. Membership benefits include discounts on PAII resources as well as B & B-related products and services; access to PAII seminars, workshops, and trade shows; opportunities for networking; and a subscription to Innkeeping Quarterly.
Professional Association of Innkeepers International
207 White Horse Pike
Haddon Heights, NJ
24.SkillsuSa
Competitions
SkillsUSA offers “local, state and national competitions in which students demonstrate occupational and leadership skills.” Students who participate in its SkillsUSA Championships can compete in categories such as Advertising Design, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Commercial Baking, Culinary Arts, Customer Service, Entrepreneurship, Food and Beverage Service, and Job Interview. SkillsUSA works directly with high schools and colleges, so ask your guidance counselor or teacher if it is an option for you. Visit the SkillsUSA Web site for more information.
SkillsUSA
14001 SkillsUSA Way
Leesburg, VA
25.Summer at Georgetown University for High School Students
College Courses/Summer Study
Academically gifted high school students can earn up to 12 college credits by participating in Georgetown University’s Summer College. Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors may apply. More than 100 courses are available, including Accounting, Fundamentals of Finance, Fundamentals of Business, Introduction to Business, Public Speaking, World History, and foreign languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Persian, Spanish). Tuition is $1,018 per credit hour. Other costs include a pre-college fee ($398 per session), room ($782), and a meal plan ($864). Financial aid is available “for exceptional students who can document financial need.” Additionally, Georgetown offers several seminars that will be of interest to readers of this book, including Fundamentals of Business: Leadership in a Global Economy, Journalism Workshop, Leadership & Ethics, and Information Technology. Costs and program lengths vary for each seminar.
Residential and commuter options are available for all programs. Students who live on campus stay in air-conditioned residence halls. Access to laundry facilities is provided. In their off hours, students can attend dances, movie nights, ice cream socials, and other activities, as well as explore the campus and the Washington, D.C., area. Contact the university for more information.
Georgetown University
Summer Programs for High School Students
Box 571006
Washington,
26.Summer College Programs for High School Students at Cornell University
College Courses/Summer Study
Rising high school juniors and seniors and recent graduates can participate in Cornell University’s Summer College, which offers three- and six-week classes for college credit. More than 20 courses are available. Students who are interested in travel and tourism can take Hotel Operations Management, a three-week course. You will learn about the hospitality industry by attending classes, participating in seminars, listening to guest speakers, and engaging in other hospitality-related activities. You will study the operating strategies and structures of some of the largest hotels and food and beverage companies to learn what makes them successful; learn about the various hotel departments and jobs available in them, and use the CHESS Hotel Simulation to operate a virtual 250- room hotel. You will interact closely with professors, hospitality professionals, and fellow students. You must bear in mind that all Summer College classes are regular undergraduate courses condensed into a very short time span, so they are especially challenging and demanding. Program participants live in residence halls on campus and enjoy access to campus facilities. The cost for the program is $5,310 (which includes room and board). Applications are typically due in late April, although Cornell advises that you submit them well in advance of the deadline; those applying for financial aid must submit their applications by April 1. Further information and details about the application procedure are available from the Summer College office.
Cornell University Summer College for High School Students
B20 Day Hall
Ithaca, NY
27.Summer Scholars at the University of Richmond
College Courses/Summer Study
The Summer Scholars Program seeks to provide high school students a “realistic, firsthand experience of college, including the challenges and rewards that come with it, all while experiencing ‘life on campus.’” Rising juniors and seniors are eligible to participate in this three-week, for-credit residential program. Approximately five courses are offered each summer, including one called Into the Green: Explorations of Text and Trail. This class takes a look at the art of writing about nature. Participants will study nonfiction and fiction nature writing “to see what others have learned, to discuss various writing styles, and to think more deeply about our own relationships to nature and technology.” Applicants must have a competitive grade point average and enjoy intellectual stimulation and academic challenges. Program participants stay in air-conditioned residence halls and have access to study lounges, vending machines, and laundry facilities. The cost of the program is $4,200 (which includes tuition, textbooks and classroom supplies, residence hall lodging, a meal plan, and extracurricular activities). Financial assistance is available. Students can use on-campus facilities such as the library, computer labs, and a sports center. The application deadline is typically in early May. Contact the director of summer programs for more information.
University of Richmond School of Continuing Studies
Director of Summer Programs
Richmond, VA
28.Summer University at Johns Hopkins University
College Courses/Summer Study
Rising high school juniors and seniors who are interested in getting a jump on college can participate in the Summer University program at Johns Hopkins University. Participants live on Hopkins’ Homewood campus for five weeks beginning in early July. Classes leading to college credit are available in more than 30 programs. Readers of this book might want to enroll in Introduction to Business, Financial Accounting, Principles of Marketing, Technical Communication, and various foreign language (Arabic, French, German, and Spanish) courses. Students who live in the greater-Baltimore area have the option of commuting. Applicants must submit an application form, essay, transcript, two recommendations, and a nonrefundable application fee (rates vary by date of submission). Tuition for residential students is $6,300 (for two courses, room and board, and up to six credits). Commuter students pay $630 per credit hour (books, supplies, meals, and special activities are not included in this price). Contact the Office of Summer Programs for more information.
Johns Hopkins University
Pre-College Program
Office of Summer Programs
Shaffer Hall, Suite 203
3400 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD
29.Summer Youth Explorations at Michigan Technological University
College Courses/Summer Study
Michigan Technological University (MTU) offers the Summer Youth Explorations program for students in grades six through 12. Participants attend one of five weeklong sessions, choosing either to commute or to live on campus. Students undertake an Exploration in one of many career fields through laboratory work, field trips, and discussions with MTU faculty and other professionals. Past Explorations include Creative Writing in Nature and History; Digital Photography; Entrepreneurship: Start a Business While in High School; Journalism; Learning to Lead: A Leadership Introduction for Everyone; and Create Your Future! What Do You Want to Be? How Do You Do It? The cost of the Summer Youth Program is $650 for the residential option, $395 for commuters. Applications are accepted up to one week before the Exploration begins.
Summer Youth Explorations
Michigan Technological University
Youth Programs Office,
Alumni House
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton, MI
30.Tourism Cares
Conferences/Field Experience/Volunteer Programs
This organization operates volunteer programs that “preserve, conserve, and protect tourism-related sites in America that need care and rejuvenation.” Some of the places that Tourism Cares volunteers have recently helped restore include Louis Armstrong Park in New Orleans; Virginia City, Nevada (a town that played a major role during the silver rush in the 1800s); and Mount Vernon (George Washington’s estate and gardens).
Additionally, college students who are studying travel, tourism, or hospitality can participate in the Experience the Industry Student Program that allows them to shadow industry professionals (tour operators, tour suppliers, and destination management organizations) at the annual convention of the National Tour Association (the parent organization of Tourism Cares). This program allows students to learn more about career options in the field and make valuable connections with industry experts.
Tourism Cares
275 Turnpike Street, Suite 307
Canton, MA
31.University Aviation Association
Conferences/Membership
The association offers membership for high school and college students. Membership benefits include access to job listings and scholarships, networking opportunities, a subscription to Collegiate Aviation Review (a quarterly newsletter), and discounts on association products. Members can also attend the association’s conferences, including the Collegiate Aviation Summit. Visit its Web site for more information.
University Aviation Association
3410 Skyway Drive
Auburn, AL
32.U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Volunteer Programs
Volunteers of all ages are welcomed by the U.S. Fish &Wildlife Service. Volunteers may be tasked with leading tours, conducting wildlife population surveys, performing clerical tasks, photographing natural and cultural resources, helping with laboratory work, banding ducks at a National Wildlife Refuge, and restoring wildlife habitat. Contact the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for more information.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Division of Human Resources
4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 634
Arlington, VA
33.Women in Aviation
Conferences/Field Experience/Membership
This nonprofit organization offers membership options for aviation enthusiasts, youth, and college students. Membership is open to both females and males. Membership benefits include networking and mentoring opportunities, the chance to attend the organization’s annual conference, a subscription to Aviation for Women, and access to scholarships and career and education resources.
Women in Aviation
Morningstar Airport
3647 State Route 503 South
West Alexandria, OH
34.Yosemite Institute
Camps/Field Experience/College Courses/Summer Study
The Yosemite Institute, established in 1971, works in cooperation with the National Park Service to offer several programs for youth. Overnight Wilderness Backpacking Trips are one- to three night camping adventures that encourage young people to “appropriately challenge themselves while exploring the wilderness and practicing Leave No Trace ethics.” Led by professional naturalist guides, you explore Yosemite’s high peaks, deep canyons, alpine lakes, and other features rarely seen by other visitors. You learn about the area’s abundant wildlife and unique cultural and natural history while hiking four to six miles per day at elevations of 6,000–10,000 feet. Only 12 participants are accepted for each Overnight Wilderness Backpacking Trip. The program fee includes meals and group overnight gear (tents, cooking pots, etc.). You must provide your own personal gear, however, including sleeping bag, water bottle, and utensils.
Teens who participate in the institute’s two-week Field Research Course can earn college credit by creating their own ecology research project. You will learn “wilderness survival and backpacking skills; Sierra Nevada natural history and ecology; how to record field observations and identify patterns; how to generate answerable questions and hypotheses; how to collect data that will answer your question; and how to analyze and present your data to other scientists.” To participate, you must be at least 16 years old and have completed at least one year of high school biology. The cost of the program is $1,900 for California residents and $2,400 for out-of-state participants. Participants will receive three college credits when they complete the program.
Additionally, young women between the ages of 15 and 18 can participate in the Armstrong Scholars Program, which “seeks to inspire young women to reach their highest potential and develop a stronger sense of self and community and a stronger connection to nature.” The nine-day program costs $150 (the remaining costs are covered by a scholarship). The Yosemite Institute also offers environmental workshops for teachers, and various programs throughout the year. Contact the institute for further information and for details on available scholarship funds.
Yosemite Institute
PO Box 487
Yosemite, CA