Summer Program to Fight Hunger and Climate Change 2021
June 2021 – Oct 2021
Clips from the Commendation Ceremony for the 2021 Summer Program to Fight Hunger and Climate Change held on 23 October 2021 at the Science Museum of Long Island.
Making a Difference
The Summer Program mobilizes High school students and adult volunteers motivated to fight hunger, climate change, and loss of biodiversity, and eager to learn about sustainable gardening and our regional ecosystem.
The program includes nature walks and plant ID, studying local fauna, clearing invasives, and small outdoor lab, recycling and composting, and arts & crafts activities.
Scholarships for $300 offered to student interns who are able to commit to at least 4 hours of work a week for the entire period of 16 weeks (or can make up lost time). Volunteer opportunities were also available with a more flexible schedule.
Six students from the 2020 program were part of the organizing team for the 2021 program.
Lily Goch, Student Mentor and Senior from John F. Kennedy High School in Belmore thanks organizers and describes her experience with the program.
Our Thanks
During this summer over 60 volunteers, including 35 youth, worked side-by-side to help our community fight hunger, climate change, and loss of biodiversity in the 2021 Summer Program to Fight Hunger and Climate Change.
The Commendation Ceremony on 23 October 2021 at the Science Museum of Long Island recognized our youth mentors, volunteers and interns for spending their summer raising organic produce for food pantries, planting native perennials in support of pollinators and clearing preserves of invasive plants.
Our thanks to all students and their parents, our volunteers and organizers, as well as the following dignitaries and organizations:
Memories from the 2021 Summer Program
People, plant and nature photos from various Summer Program activities at the following work locations:
The Science Museum of Long Island
The Plant a Row Garden at the Helen Keller Institute
The ReWild Garden at Dodge
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Shelter Rock
Click below to view larger images. And thanks to all contributors!
About the Program
ReWild Long Island, Plant A Row, Port Washington, and the Mosaic Foundation for Autism have partnered again to offer hands-on learning experiences for youth in 2021. High School students who want to help grow food for families with food insecurity and to create rewilded native plant landscapes can apply for summer internships through local organizations in Port Washington, NY.
FIGHTING HUNGER AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Interns are committed to work at least 4 hours per week starting June 27, 2021 through the end of October.
Volunteers and mentors commit to a minimum of at least 20 hours over the summer. Interns and volunteers will be assigned the following activities in and around Port Washington, NY
Click here to view the draft schedule and activities planned
Watering, weeding, pruning, and caring for vegetable or native perennial plants at Mosaic, Plant A Row or ReWild locations, including the Science Museum of Long Island, The Helen Keller Center, and the ReWild Garden at Dodge Homestead.
Caring for Plant A Row planters in locations across Port Washington
Working on composting and Bokashi methods for sustainably recycling plant wastes
Removing invasives from local preserves
Nature walks and bird banding
In addition, while schedules are generally flexible, students will be required to attend a weekly zoom call for planning. All activities are outdoors and will be carried out in a Covid-safe, socially distanced manner.
REQUIREMENTS
We have a limited number of internships and volunteer roles, so we are looking for students who meet the following criteria:
Self-motivated and responsible. Committed to covid-safety.
Enjoy hands-on work in the soil to grow food while helping plants, birds, bees and, butterflies.
Socially minded – want to help fight hunger, climate change, loss of biodiversity, or other causes.
Can travel to our work sites on a weekly basis.
INCENTIVES
You will learn a lot about ReWilding and farming locally.
Interns will receive a lump sum scholarship payable on successful completion of the internship.
We will also be happy to write recommendation letters in support of motivated and responsible students, both volunteers, and interns.
We offer optional opportunities to engage with nature in a Covid-safe manner.
APPLICATIONS
Online applications can be filled out by clicking on this link.
Students of all abilities, women, and minority students are especially welcome to apply.
We will start interviewing and selecting interns by Monday, May 17, 2021. So please get your applications in to us as early as possible, and no later than Monday, May 10, 2021.
Partners
Rewild Long Island is a Port Washington-based grassroots organization that supports climate-conscious landscaping through planting native perennials, reducing chemical use, increasing biodiversity, growing food organically, and mitigating resource use. It has successfully completed dozens of home and public rewilding projects. Learn more at www.rewildlongisland.org
Plant A Row for the Hungry, Port Washington delivers fresh, nutritional produce to hundreds of families in need within our community. It is inspired by a national program working at a grass-roots level to end community hunger. Learn more at https://www.plantarowforthehungry.org.
Mosaic Foundation for Autism is a 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to improving the lives of those with autism. Through organic gardening projects, it aims to help individuals with autism prepare for their own healthy, independent lives, and seek additional employment or recreational pursuits.
Frequently Asked Questions
“I will be away for one or two weeks this summer. Am I eligible to apply for the program?”
Yes. You can apply. For scholarships, we will ask that you make up those weeks. If you need more flexibility, you can definitely apply and qualify to join the program as a volunteer. You will participate in all activities when you’re here. Assuming you do a good job, we will certainly include you in commendation awards and give you a good reference.
Given that we have a limited number of scholarships, we prioritize those that can be present more of the time. Depending on your level of engagement, we can consider you for one if we have the funding.
Check here to view the draft schedule and ensure that you can commit to these times/dates
“I don’t live in near Port Washington-Manhasset and it will be hard for me to get there twice a week. But I’m super-interested in what you do. Should I apply?”
You can definitely apply and join the program even if don’t live in the area as long as you can commit to being here at least once a week. You can participate in multiple activities and complete your 4 hours when you’re here. Assuming you do a good job, we will certainly include you in commendation awards and give you a good reference.
Given that we have a limited number of scholarships, we prioritize those that are local. Depending on your level of engagement, we can consider you for one if we have the funding.
“I have other things going on over summer so I’m not sure what times I will be available. When are the program activities scheduled?”
Our schedule is not complete yet, but activities are scheduled during the day on weekdays and weekends when school is out. Once school starts, the activities are in the evenings and weekends (after Labor Day).
We have not finalized the schedule, but there will be a rotating cast of different activities at different times over the course of the 16 weeks.
If you’re committed to something else over the summer, do apply and express your constraints. We can keep you notified of activities and you can volunteer occasionally without being a full part of the program.
“When is the deadline for applications? When will I know if I have been admitted?”
You should have your applications in by May 10th. We will start interviews a week later.
We hope to let everyone know by early June. Some late spots may open up after that.
“I don’t check email. Can you let me know via text?”
Please check your email or have someone check them. All our communications will go out by email.
Other Questions?
Contact us by email: info@rewildlongisland.org or submit the form below.
support us
And you can support our fight against hunger and climate change with your tax-deductible donations!