Wellesley teens can get an insider’s view of the Town of Wellesley by participating in a Wellesley Youth Commission summer program in 2022. These free, exploration programs are back after a pandemic hiatus and are for Wellesley teens entering grades 6, 7, and 8 in the fall of 2022.
Each week-long program focuses on a unique area of Town operations with educational demonstrations, training, and hands-on experiences in public safety, conservation, and public works. Programs begin in July and are held at various locations throughout Wellesley.
The application period for these programs is open now until Monday, February 28; interested applicants should apply online. Teens may apply to any or all programs but can only attend one program per summer. Participants will be selected by a lottery during the week of March 1, 2022. Please make sure to identify 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices on the application. Once the lottery takes place, accepted participants will receive an email confirming their spot in the program.
Summer 2022 programs are:
Fire Rescuers, July 11-July 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Offered in partnership with the Wellesley Fire Department and open to 20 youths. Experience a working Fire Department including training on fire extinguishing, knot tying, water rescue; a trip to the Fire Academy; and bomb squad demonstrations.
Wellesley Summer Eco Program, July 18-July 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Offered by the Natural Resources Commission and Wellesley Conservation Council and open to 20 youths. Highlights include fishing demonstrations by the Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game, wilderness survival and fire building, drone experiments; visits to Morses Pond for kayaking, swimming and shoreline restoration; environmental education.
Note: This is a shine only program; activities may be cancelled due to rain.
*New for 2022* DPW/WMLP Exploration Program, July 25-July 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Offered by the Department of Public Works and the Wellesley Municipal Light Plan and open to 15 youths. Go behind-the-scenes with different DPW divisions (Engineering, Highway, Water, and Sewer); learn about the RDF and its unique functions; assist with a hands-on parkland service project.
Wellesley Police Department Youth Academy, August 1-August 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Offered by the Wellesley Police Department and open to 25 youths. Learn about law enforcement in our community with demonstrations involving radar, motor vehicle stops, mock arrests, crime scene searches; understand the collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies with field trips to local FBI and State Police offices.
Complete details are available on the Wellesley Youth Commission website.