Skip to main content
The Next Generation of Leaders, a youth volunteer group posing in front of a fire truck

What is NextGenServe?

NextGenServe is a City volunteer service club for youth ages 13-18 that focuses on growing leadership skills and service in the Fort Collins community. Volunteers learn about a variety of career paths and work alongside trained City staff in various settings, including parks, natural areas, and the Garden on Spring Creek.

Check out the 2022 program in this short video

How to Get Involved:

Applications for 2024 are closed. Please keep us in mind for next year!

Summer 2024 Anticipated Schedule#

Summer 2024#

NextGen Project Days are Tuesdays and Thursday from 9-12

June 4th: Poudre Fire Authority

June 6th: Traffic Operations

June 11th: Parks- Twin Silo

June 13th: FCTV

June 18th: City Park Pool Lifeguarding-- Extended hour day

June 20th: Forestry at City Park

June 25th: Cattail Pull at NIX Farm

June 27th: TAC212

July 2nd: Loveland Youth Gardeners-- Extended hour day

July 4th: Holiday--no project

July 9th: Watershed/ Macroinvertebrates Program Day 1

July 11th: Watershed/ Macroinvertebrates Program with Utilities Day 2

July 16th: Black Footed Ferrets Program at the Museum of Discovery

July 18th: Toadflax Pull at Soapstone--Extended hour day

July 23rd: Parks

July 25th: The Farm

July 30th: The Lincoln Center

August 1st: Teen Summit at The Gardens on Spring Creek

August 6th: Restorative Justice

August 8th: Parents and teens are invited to the final day party!

NextGen 2023 Highlights#

NextGenServe Logo

5 boys creating a human pyramid in the grass.

NextGen Serve Team Bonding!

Two boys holding weeds above their heads.

Huge weeds we got to pull at the Foco Cafe!

Four kids smiling serving food.

NextGen serving breakfast for the Kids feeding Kids program at the Foco Cafe.

Group of teens painting stakes.

Painting Stakes for the Loveland Youth Garden.

Group of NextGen teens in a park.

NextGen helping out at Indian Hills Park.

Group of teens holding plants and looking excited.

Loveland Youth Gardens gave us plants to take home!

Teens at a picnic table.

Playing Simon Says at the Foco Cafe!

Other Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities for Teens#

Become a Lincoln Center Intern#

The front entrance of The Lincoln Center

Volunteers are an extremely important and essential part of The Lincoln Center family. We rely on our volunteers to be our eyes and ears and to assist patrons in navigating and participating in the over 300 performances and events we offer each year. Volunteers get exposed to a wide array of artistic and professional endeavors including theatrical performances, dance productions, art gallery installations, concerts and community events. As a Lincoln Center Intern you'll get to see all the action behind the scenes.

Apply

Join the Horticulture Team!#

Teen volunteers at the Gardens on Spring Creek

Project Hort, short for horticulture, is a full summer stewardship and volunteer program for teens entering sixth through 12th grade who are passionate about gardening, plants, animals or the environment.

Over the course of the summer, with staff guidance and support, teens will be able to:

  • Volunteer at The Gardens – gardening, teaching and helping guests
  • Have an impact on their community through conservation projects
  • Make great friends with similar interests and participate in fun events

Learn More

Unified Sports Partner#

Kids around home plate on a baseball field

Adaptive Recreation Opportunities (ARO) provides recreation programs for community members of all ages and abilities. We are looking for partners to play alongside Special Olympics athletes during Unified Softball. This is an opportunity for volunteers 16 years old & up, running May through July! 

Additionally, for folks 8 years old & up, ARO is looking for volunteers to assist coaches/staff during baseball practices for youth with various disabilities. Helping with technique and equipment will be just part of the opportunity when volunteering with this program, running from late June through July!

Apply

Volunteer at the Farm#

close up image of a goat

The Farm at Lee Martinez Park has provided hands-on family fun since 1985. The Farm serves as an educational and interactive experience for Fort Collins residents and visitors. You can help by joining the volunteer team!

Apply

Become a Butterfly House Volunteer#

Monarch Butterfly at the Gardens on Spring Creek

Volunteering in our Butterfly House is both educational and rewarding!  Butterfly House volunteers are responsible for maintaining USDA containment standards, helping to ensure excellent guest experience and enhance guest takeaways through interpretation and education.

Apply