2025
In a world where so many of us spend our summers glued to screens, Green Summer offers something different—something real. It’s an invitation to step outside, breathe fresh air, and take action for the planet.
Green Summer isn’t just another camp. It’s hands-on environmental leadership in action. We work together to restore habitats, monitor water quality, remove invasive species, and lead conservation service projects that make a real difference in our communities.
It’s a chance to reconnect—with nature, with each other, and with a sense of purpose. By turning off our devices and turning toward the outdoors, we gain more than knowledge. We gain confidence, practical skills, and the experience of working on something that actually matters.
We’re not just watching the world change—we’re part of it. We learn how to collaborate, how to solve real problems, and how to lead with care and courage. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing up, getting our hands dirty, and discovering what we’re capable of.
Instead of spending our summer stuck in a digital loop, Green Summer gives us the chance to build something better: for the planet, for our communities, and for ourselves.
Green Summer launched in 2022 with one student, one day a week, and one goal: youth-led conservation. By 2024, we had students from five districts, trained AmeriCorps Fellows, school-based programs, internships, and Friday drop-ins. When federal cuts ended AmeriCorps support, we returned to our roots: youth-led, volunteer-powered, and still growing.
We’ve partnered with schools like Blake, Burnsville, Edina, and Hiawatha; organizations like Three Rivers Parks and AmeriCorps; and community groups like the Izaak Walton League. These partners help us train leaders, open access to natural spaces, and support real youth-led conservation service.
Every Friday this summer, join us for Conservation Fun Fridays! Drop in for the morning (9–12), afternoon (1–4), or spend the whole day making a difference. We play Leave No Trace games, explore water science with real testing along the Minnesota River, and work on youth-led conservation projects—you choose what you want to do. Bring a lunch, wear long pants and closed-toed shoes, and don’t forget a water bottle. Whether you’re earning service hours, building leadership skills, or want to be outside with friends, this is your chance to take action—and have fun doing it.
Join us every third Saturday of the month for Green Game Night—an evening of fun, friends, and eco-themed games! From 5:00–9:00 PM at 6601 Auto Club Road in Bloomington, we’ll have snacks, drinks, and a full table of environmentally inspired board and card games. It’s a great way to relax, meet others, and explore sustainability through play. After the games, stick around for an optional bonfire with s’mores and songs under the stars. All are welcome—bring a friend, bring your strategy skills, or bring your love for the planet and community.
Summer is the perfect time to earn community service hours—for school, for Scouts, for life! Whether you’re helping with conservation projects, water science, or Leave No Trace outreach, your time makes a real impact. We’re an official site for the Presidential Volunteer Service Awards, so all youth have the opportunity to be nationally recognized for their hours. But we’re not in it for the awards—we’re in it for the environment. Still, recognition is nice too. Join us this summer, track your hours, and be part of something bigger than yourself. Serve the planet, grow your skills, and have fun doing it.
Every conservation project we take on this summer is led by trained youth members of the Green Crew. This is youth-led environmental leadership in action. Want to step up? There’s an opportunity to serve as a co-leader and apprentice with current leaders to learn the ropes. Leadership in the Green Crew begins with caring deeply about a project and taking responsibility to make it happen. Summer is the perfect time to explore, learn, and grow into a leadership role. If you’re ready to lead—with purpose, passion, and impact—this is where your journey begins.
Our internships are hosted through the Minnesota Valley Chapter of the Izaak Walton League and are designed for youth ready to take on a serious commitment to conservation leadership. Each intern completes a significant project over 200 hours, supported by both an intern mentor and a project-specific mentor. Interns must attend monthly Green Crew leadership meetings and participate in at least one Project Day each month. Along the way, they’ll explore topics like environmental science, conservation strategy, marketing, and engineering. This is more than service—it’s real-world experience for youth who want to lead, learn, and make a lasting impact.
