Cambridge Youth Programs’ Empowered 500+ Youth and Teens through Summer 2024 Programming

This summer, more than 500 Cambridge pre-teens, middle schoolers, and teens explored new interests and skills, made lasting connections with peers, and experienced joy through summer programs and internships offered through Cambridge Youth Programs (CYP), a division of the Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP). CYP offers diverse, high-quality programs that promote leadership and youth development through five Youth Centers located throughout Cambridge. 

58 Cambridge teens joined CYP’s teen internships this summer, offered through the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program (MSYEP). Teens were paid for their participation in these 6-week programs: 

• Sankofa Sons, offered for the first time in summer 2024, was designed to facilitate a rite of passage for its participants, initiating a transition from boyhood to manhood. Cambridge teens explored the city and cultural and self-identity through intentional workshops examining themes of manhood in American media and its depiction of race, color and masculinity. The internship culminated in an overnight trip to the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Highland Center in Bretton Woods, NH, where teens hiked and camped, all while growing in community. 

• Blooming into Womanhood, also in its inaugural year as a summer teen internship, empowered self-identified young women to embark on a journey of self-discovery, self-awareness, and self-reflection. Participants discovered their unique strengths, passions, and perspectives and how to use them to become catalysts of positive change and leaders. Hands-on projects focused on creative self-expression through movement, writing and art.

• Boys II Men: For the 11th consecutive year, this program brought 20 young kings on a journey exploring masculinity, manhood, and the various internal and external factors that shape our ideas. Over the course of the program, teens learned about health and wellness, media analysis, creative expression and financial empowerment. Boys II Men internship included a culinary program, offered in partnership with PAGU, that taught participants about cooking and nutrition in an exciting, cooking competition setting. Boys II Men was profiled in an August Boston Globe article.

CYP also connected Cambridge teens to other exciting and enriching opportunities. Through a partnership with Lesley STEAM Learning Lab, 13 Cambridge teens participated in a Pre-College AI and Design Course, where they learned about the fundamentals of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) while earning college credits. Teens explored face-sending AI, GenAI design thinking, and other GenAI tools. Participants earned a stipend and gained valuable STEAM skills that they can apply to future educational or career endeavors. 150 teens participated in Teen Night Live, which invited Cambridge teens ages 14-19 to join workshops, dance lessons, gardening, trivia, cooking classes and more on weekday evenings at Youth Centers.

In addition to teen programming, 393 Cambridge pre-teens and middle schoolers, ages 9 – 13, participated in CYP’s Pre-Teen / Middle School Summer Programs:

• Sports Leadership Academy, based at the Moore Youth Center, was inspired by the 2024 Olympic Games. Young people self-evaluated their skill level in a specific sport each week and competed in different small activities and games. They learned about a variety of Olympic events and explored new sports to spark interest in new hobbies and passions. The program was designed to encourage peer leadership and connection.
• “My Best Summer,” based at Gately Youth Center, encouraged young people to reflect on goals and outcomes to connect with their inner “best self.” Over the course of the program, youth explored sports, anime, outdoor fun, gaming, and art / STEM activities. The program also featured “T-ride Tuesdays,” where youth learned how to use the MBTA and explored a new destination every week.
• The Discovery Program, based at Russell Youth Center, encouraged young people to discover their inner performer. They explored creative expression through theater, film, and performing arts. The skills developed in the program will help young people grow into their best selves, overcome obstacles through trial and error, and embrace self discovery.
• Joyful Discoveries, based at Frisoli Youth Center, empowered youth through creativity, community engagement, and self-expression. Each week, youth explored arts, music, environmental exploration, and storytelling. The program empowered youth to discover joy, express themselves authentically, and make meaningful connections with their peers.

CYP’s Youth Centers will continue to be a hub of learning, growth, and fun for Cambridge youth this fall. Pre-teen / middle school afterschool programs will begin in September and teens can join interactive workshops, projects that focus on community involvement, and paid internship opportunities.

Learn about more DHSP highlights from Summer 2024. 

Photo: Teens on a hike during their overnight trip to AMC Highland Center as part of the Sankofa Sons teen internship.