Our innovative program inspires early adolescent girls to excel as environmental scientists and stewards of New York City’s precious natural resources. We take middle school students on outdoor adventures in parks and along waterways after school and during the summer. Whether bird-watching, canoeing, conducting science projects or doing service, CityParks Green Girls Empowered by ING develop a new understanding of natural ecosystems for girls, discover how they can create positive change within their environment, and learn about future careers in the sciences.
City Parks Foundation’s CityParks Green Girls Empowered by ING program was named as the winner of the Inaugural Climate Change Learning Award for National Summer Learning Association’s (NSLA) 2020 Summer Learning Awards season. City Parks Foundation is one of four exemplary summer programs recognized for improving outcomes for children and youth and honored as models for the nation.
Read more in our press announcement here.
Because of COVID-19, City Parks Foundation is taking precautionary measures in all of our programs.
The Green Girls Afterschool Program for Fall 2020 will be fully remote.
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6th – 8th Grades
October 5 – December 17
Free
The CityParks Green Girls Empowered by ING Afterschool program is an environmental science club that will engage middle school girls throughout the school year in fun-filled online adventures about New York City’s parks and waterways, encouraging them to realize their potential to create change within the natural environment. Through hands-on activities and the stimulating concepts of virtual field exploration, technology, advocacy and project-based science, Green Girls develop an understanding of natural ecosystems in NYC’s parks, learn about future careers in the sciences and understand their own power to advocate for the environment and their parks.
This year, because of the pandemic related changes, Green Girls will have a particular opportunity to focus on how climate change is affecting our city and our future. Students will learn about the history of climate action and how young people have advocated for the environment. The Green Girls will take part in this advocacy as a group.
6th – 8th Grades
July – August
Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11006
Free
The CityParks Green Girls Empowered by ING Summer Institute is a Science program that engages up to 30 middle school girls, ages 10-13, in four weeks of fun-filled outdoor adventures. Based in Long Island City, Green Girls study the dynamic urban forests of New York’s parks , encouraging them to realize their potential to create change within their natural environment and learn about future careers in the sciences. Whether bird-watching, canoeing, conducting science projects or doing service, Green Girls develop a new understanding of natural ecosystems in our city.
For more information on CityParks Green Girls Empowered by ING, contact Sam Schwartz at sschwartz@cityparksfoundation.org or call (212) 360-1461.
In celebration of Earth Day, City Parks Foundation and ING Americas announced a three-year partnership to support the CityParks Green Girls program.
Read more in the official press release.
Starting in the fall of 2020, City Parks Foundation will adapt the Green Girls Empowered by ING program and make it available to teachers around the country, free of charge. The digital curriculum will be offered free for download and will require teachers to participate in an online learning session with CityParks Learn educators beforehand and to report on their program outcomes to inform and help shape future curriculum updates. The curriculum will include suggested lesson plans, tips on establishing partnerships, and advocacy tools to help instructors run a successful program.
Check back soon for program updates.
If you’re an educator and interested in learning more about the expansion of CityParks Green Girls Empowered by ING program, sign up here to receive updates or contact us at greengirls@
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Green Girls is presented by ING Americas. Generous private support for CityParks Green Girls is provided by The Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation, The Pinkerton Foundation, The Linda B. and Howard S. Stern Family Foundation, Lily Auchincloss Foundation, Rose M. Badgeley Charitable Trust, the Catskill Watershed Corporation in partnership with New York City Department of Environmental Protection, ExpandEd Schools, The Barker Welfare Foundation, the Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation, Watershed Agricultural Council, and The Laura B. Vogler Foundation. In partnership with NYC Parks.
We bring New Yorkers together in their parks by offering free programs. Although our programming is temporarily suspended, parks remain open to find solace, to exercise, and to remain healthy. Please give now if you can so that we can be back in parks soon.
