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.
6th – 8th Grades
July 6th – August 12th, 2021
Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11006
Shoelace Park (playground), 219th Street & Bronx River Pkwy, The Bronx, NY 10467
FREE
The CityParks Green Girls Empowered by ING Summer Institute is a Science program that engages up to 40 middle school girls, ages 10-13, in five weeks of fun-filled outdoor adventures. Based in the Bronx and Queens NY. 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.
The Green Girls Summer Institute for 2021 will be in-person at limited capacity and following health and safety protocols.
For more information on CityParks Green Girls Empowered by ING, please contact Program Manager Mayra Sanchez, msanchez@cityparksfoundation.org and Necia Clarke, nclarke@cityparksfoundation.org, Associate Director of Youth Development.
For 6th to 8th grade students across New York City
March – June
Weekly Virtual Sessions
FREE
The CityParks Green Girls Empowered by ING After School 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.
We’re thrilled to announce that applications are now open for the first session of the CityParks Green Girls Empowered by ING Curriculum Training. This national rollout offers free digital access to the curriculum and teaching practices for our innovative CityParks Green Girls Empowered by ING program. The curriculum and related training are open to any interested formal and informal educators for use in both after-school and summer programs in their own community.
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Generous private support is provided by The Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation, Con Edison, The Linda B. and Howard S. Stern Family Foundation, the Lily Auchincloss Foundation, ExpandEd Schools, The Barker Welfare Foundation, the National Summer Learning Association, the MUFG Union Bank Foundation, the Catskill Watershed Corporation in partnership with New York City Department of Environmental Protection, the Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation, and the Watershed Agricultural Council.
In partnership with NYC Parks. Title sponsor ING Financial Services.
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.
Title Sponsor
At City Parks Foundation, our mission is to encourage New Yorkers to use their neighborhood parks by offering free environmental education, arts, sports, and community-building programs that bring people into their local green spaces. Please give now if you can—we know that city parks will continue to thrive when all New Yorkers get involved.
