Opportunities for Students (June 2026)

Published June 11, 2026

Soon, it will be 'no more teachers' and 'no more books'—but surely these opportunities deserve a look!

June is here, and with the final month of the 2025–26 school year upon us, it's just about time for City students and families to confirm their summer plans and begin looking forward to the fall. From free family-friendly activities and workshops, to scholarships and internships, dozens of local organizations, City agencies, businesses, and community partners are offering City students and their families a wide range of amazing learning and earning opportunities this summer.

Whether its camping overnight underneath the stars, stopping by the Guggenheim, or working on that 'summer bod,' City students have a variety of options to apply for and participate in this month!

Check out the following list of opportunities that are available for City students this month and beyond, and register/apply for them TODAY!

NYC Parks is hosting dozens of free events for City residents of all ages throughout June! From Father's Day and Pride Month-themed events, to free movie screenings, check out NYC Parks' Events page to see which events are taking place near you! (Photo by Polina Tankilevitch, which can be found on Pexels)

Opportunities for Students in June 2026

The opportunities listed below are ordered by their submission/registration deadline dates, with the most urgent deadlines listed first. For more information about any of these listings, please click through the corresponding links embedded in each entry.

Participate in Scientific Enrichment Month at Columbia University

Register by June 19, 2026
Program runs July 1–29, 2026
Cost: Free to register
Contact: The Scientific Enrichment Month Team <canceredu@cumc.columbia.edu>

Columbia University's Scientific Enrichment Month (SEM) program is a free virtual program that takes place in July for high school students and interested middle school students. This month-long program focuses on cancer education, scientific enrichment, and professional development, and it provides students with the opportunity to learn how to develop hypotheses, understand cancer research, identify health inequities, and better understand public health. Additionally, students may also join public health working groups that are focused on particular topics and populations.

Visit Columbia's SEM webpage to learn more about the program and to register your spot by June 19, 2026. Note that this is not an application, but rather a registration—once you submit a completed registration form, you will be accepted into the program.

Celebrate the Start of Summer in NYC Parks with the Urban Park Rangers

Since 1979, NYC Parks' Urban Park Rangers have helped New Yorkers and visitors of all ages discover and explore the City's natural world through environmental education, outdoor recreation, wildlife management, and active conservation.

Check out the Urban Park Rangers' Events webpage to learn about events happening at City parks near you, including free overnight family camping, birding lessons, Father's Day-themed activities, and exhibitions commemorating Juneteenth and LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Sign up directly for your desired events through NYC Parks' Urban Park Rangers webpage.

Develop Your Writing or Drawing Skills through Uptown Stories' Hands-On Workshops

Registration Deadline: ASAP
Cost: Pay-What-You-Can; no proof of income required
Contact: Dorkys Ramos <dorkys@uptownstories.org>

Expand your writing capabilities with Uptown Stories, an Uptown Manhattan-based nonprofit organization dedicated to offering afterschool, weekend-based, and summer creative writing and illustration workshops for children aged 8–18 years old. Available classes include: "Art in the City," a week-long workshop for students interested in exploring uptown Manhattan's art hotspots in Washington Heights and Inwood; " The Elements of Fiction," where young writers between the ages of 8–12 can learn what it takes to develop great stories; and " Zine Machine" a workshop for students who are interested making "zines" the old-fashioned way: by hand! Once students lay out their first zines, they'll then mass-produce them by using a relic of the twentieth-century known as a "photocopier!"

Uptown Stories' tuition is "Pay-What-You-Can," visit Uptown Stories' webpage to learn more about the workshops, and register for a class today, as seats are limited.

Get Free Athletic and Fitness Training This Summer Through PSAL

The Public Schools Athletic League's (PSAL) High School Summer Sports, Fitness, and Recreation Program offers all NYC students entering grades 9–12 in fall 2026 the opportunity to participate in FREE athletic training, fitness and conditioning, and sport-specific skill development at high school sites across all five boroughs.

The program will run Monday–Thursday, 3-6:00PM in July and August 2026 across two sessions:

Session 1: July 13–July 28
Session 2: July 29–August 13

Students may participate at any PSAL summer site, regardless of where they are enrolled during the regular school year. However, students may only select one site and program per session. For more information, visit PSAL's official program overview webpage, and submit your registration ASAP

Work Out Free at Planet Fitness All Summer Long

Registration Deadline: ASAP
Cost: Free with registration

Planet Fitness is offering teenagers (aged 14–19) the chance to register for FREE memberships to any of its 2,500+ gyms across the country. Simply visit Planet Fitness' official High School Summer Pass page to learn more about the free memberships for teens, and complete your registration today to begin your summer membership!

High School Grads: Get a Free Gift Membership from TDF for Exclusive Deals on Broadway Shows

The Theater Defense Fund (TDF) provides talented and aspirational middle and high school students of all backgrounds with high quality leadership training and mentorship designed to bring out their very best for college and beyond. GYEL seeks to inspire and support future medical researchers, mathematicians, computer scientists, and Nobel Peace Prize, Pulitzer Prize, and Academy Award winners whose breakthroughs can uplift entire communities and completely redefine what is truly possible for future generations.

Learn more about GYEL, including its Needs-Based Assistance program, by visiting its official website.

Did you know that SNAP recipients can receive free annual memberships from both the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met)? (Photo by Charlotte May; original photo can be found on Pexels)

Learn How to Become a Leader through the UN's Global Youth Excellence and Leadership Program

Apply for the United Nations' Global Youth Excellence and Leadership Program
Cost: $0–$5,500, depending on need
Contact: Robert L. Sventova <rob@un.gyel.org>

The United Nations' Global Youth Excellence and Leadership Program (GYEL) provides talented and aspirational middle and high school students of all backgrounds with high quality leadership training and mentorship designed to bring out their very best for college and beyond. GYEL seeks to inspire and support future medical researchers, mathematicians, computer scientists, and Nobel Peace Prize, Pulitzer Prize, and Academy Award winners whose breakthroughs can uplift entire communities and completely redefine what is truly possible for future generations.

Learn more about GYEL, including its Needs-Based Assistance program, by visiting its official website.

Level Up Your Arts Skills at the Guggenheim During Teen Tuesdays

Make a Reservation for Teen Tuesdays at the Guggenheim
Reservations Recommended. Next Event on July 7, 2026.
Cost: Free (includes museum admission, snacks, MetroCards and learning materials)
Contact: teenprograms@guggenheim.org

Teen Tuesdays are free programs held at the iconic Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in Manhattan that provide teenagers with the space and opportunity to expand their art-making skills while taking inspiration from the museum's current exhibitions. Participating teens will also get the chance to watch live performances and connect with other teen artists. No experience is needed to participate in Teen Tuesdays; just bring in your curiosity and imagination!

Teen Tuesdays are part of the Guggenheim's free Teen Circle Membership. Learn more about the next Teen Tuesdays event by visiting the Guggenheim's official webpage and reserving your spot for one or more sessions.

Receive a Free "Discoverer" Membership to the American Museum of Natural History

Enroll anytime at AMNH's Member Desk between 10:00AM and 4:30PM
Contact: membership@members.amnh.org or (212) 769-5606

Are you currently enrolled in New York State's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)?

If so, you're eligible to receive a free one-year Discoverer Membership from the world-class American Museum of Natural History (AMNH)! To enroll, simply stop by the museum's Member Desk between 10:00AM and 4:30PM and speak with a representative about enrolling—you'll then receive a digital membership card that you'll be able to begin using right away.

In addition to free general admission to AMNH, you'll also be able to gain free entry to one ticketed exhibition on every visit, and you'll be able to take advantage of the museum's extended operating hours for members, among other benefits.

Visit AMNH's official "Discoverer" membership page to learn more about these free memberships!

Receive a Free "Explorer" Membership to the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Enroll anytime at the Met's Member Desk
Contact: membership@metmuseum.org or (212) 570-3573

SNAP recipients are also eligible to receive a free one-year Explorer Membership from the famous Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met)! To enroll, simply stop by the museum's Membership Desk and speak with a representative about enrolling—you'll then receive a digital membership card that you'll be able to begin using right away.

In addition to free general admission to the Met, you'll also be able to bring a guest for free as well as children 17 years old and younger, and you'll receive special access to the Met on special 'Member Preview Days,' among other benefits.

Visit the Met's official press release about the "Explorer" membership to learn more about this new program!

Become a Teen Techie at the Brooklyn Public Library

Rolling Application; Join Today
Cost: Free to apply
Contact: TeenTechies@bklynlibrary.org or (718) 230-2406

Do you love technology and your library? Want to make a difference in your community? Looking to build your resume and gain valuable work and leadership experience? Apply to BPL's Teen Techies program!

Participants attend a two-week summer technology workshop. After completion of the summer workshop, teens volunteer a minimum of three hours per week for at least 6 months assisting library patrons and staff members. Teen Techies also have the opportunity to attend two Volunteer Forums during the year to discuss challenges and successes experienced, exchange tips on coaching, and socialize with their program peers.

Learn more and complete an online application to join the Brooklyn Public Library Teen Techie volunteer program. You can also complete a print application to become a Teen Techie (PDF) and mail it to:

Teen Techies
Volunteer Resources
Grand Army Plaza
Brooklyn, NY 11238

Stop By the Morgan Library for Family First Saturdays

Get Tickets for Museum Admission at the Morgan Library
Cost: Free access with museum admission; admission free for children 12 and under
Contact: familyprograms@themorgan.org

Explore the historic Morgan Library for an outstanding hourlong family program geared towards children! Family First Saturdays provide City families with inspired picture book read-alouds and related tours of the Morgan's impressive collections.

The next scheduled Family First Saturday will take place on August 1, 2026; visit the Morgan's related family event webpage to learn more.

We hope these opportunities inspire you and your family this month! For more posts like these, including our overview of all the incredible (and free) events and activities available at City libraries this summer, check out The Morning Bell every month during the remainder of the 2025–26 school year! And don't forget to share this post with your friends, family, and colleagues!

On behalf of NYC Public Schools, we wish all of our students and families a memorable June!

Banner/teaser photos by John Brown, NYCPS

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