Place Based Service-Learning Program
primary program times
Mon./Wed. or Tue./Thu.
3:30 pm - 6:00 pm
primary Meeting Location
1001 Main St, Bridgeport, Suite 18. (2nd floor of the Arcade Mall)
Our service-learning program caters to high-school youth who reside in our program cities. The program takes place year-round during 4 different sessions. Youth can participate in one of our four (4) sessions starting in January (Winter), April (Spring), July (Summer), or October (Fall) each year depending on available space. The program combines classroom instruction and stewardship projects over the course of eight weeks. The program develops youth skills in leadership, community engagement, and placemaking with a focus on physical and social interventions that can revitalize a community.
During class time, participants learn skills related to project management, design, and presenting to audiences as well as topics related to civic engagement and placemaking including landscape design and architecture, storytelling, and other subjects. Classroom instruction is supplemented with community service projects that tie back to what was taught and are driven by student ideas.
Space for this program is limited for each session. To be notified when the next application comes out, please sign up below or apply online here. For more information, please call the office at 203-335-6126.
Benefits
Youth who participate in our service-learning program are also eligible to participate in our Outdoor Experiences program which takes participants on experiential learning trips to National Park sites throughout the country such as Yellowstone National Park in Montana, Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, Acadia National Park in Maine, and others.
Stewardship Program
primary program times
1st and 3rd Saturdays
April - October
10 am - 2 pm
Location
Various meeting locations in
Bridgeport, CT
Urban Rangers is our year-round stewardship program for youth aged 14 to 18 that promotes stewardship of the city’s physical spaces and of social connections through community events. This program is especially suited for those youth would like to be involved with Groundwork’s mission but who are unable to participate in the service-learning program due to space limitations or other time commitments such as work, sports, or other activities.
Similar to the service-learning program, youth participate in meaningful community projects throughout the program city that aim to improve the city’s physical landscape and engage residents in activities the build a sense of social connection.
If you are ready to join this program please sign up to the right, otherwise to find out more, please call the office at 203-335-6126.
Outdoor Experiences Program
primary program times
Sunday – Saturday
Summer
Location
Various National Parks throughout the
USA
Our travel experience program takes high-school youth on trips to National Park sites locally and throughout the country where they gain work experience and are given the time to enjoy recreational activities and to get to know each other and form new connections. Whether helping to renovate a building, improve a trail, or set up for a centennial celebration, participants work with National Park staff on a variety of projects where they learn practical stewardship skills that they use to implement projects in their home communities.
To express your interest in this program, please sign up to the right or to find out more, please call the office at 203-335-6126.
Yearly Application Deadline: April 30th
Eligibility:
Due to the limited number of people that we can take on these trips, the program is open only to those youth who are present or past participants of our service-learning or stewardship programs. To become a part of one of those programs, please apply or sign up with the appropriate programs above.