Youth

“Children First” is one of the Conservancy’s mottos, and here we highlight activities just for youngsters. In addition, four playgrounds are on the edge of the park for children and their caretakers to use easily and often.

Teens' Summer Jobs

Check out our new program Green Jobs for Youth in which students not only gain an hourly wage working with Parks Department experts, but also earn college credit. Check here to see if you are eligible!

Take it from the Teens! Here's what they had to say about the program.
Con Ed's Green Jobs for Youth Video Con Edison supports the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy which hires Bronx teenagers to weed and plant in this urban oasis.
Students' Green Efforts At Bronx Park Really Paying Off NY1 Video, August 8, 2012

School Groups

Lessons about the world can be learned through research and observations in Van Cortlandt Park. Natural science concepts, American history, physical education and visual and language arts can all be explored. For teachers not yet comfortable leading groups of children in the great outdoors, there are experts ready to help. The Urban Park Rangers, CityParks Foundation, Van Cortlandt House Museum, Friends of Van Cortlandt Park, and NYC Audubon all have curriculum developed specifically for Van Cortlandt Park and are eager to share it with students. Click on the links to find out more about these leaders or to schedule a workshop in the park or your classroom.

• See a lesson in action

Imagination Walks

Taking a walk with young children can exercise their imaginations. Acting as a conductor on the old Putnam Railroad line or Mamma duck in search of food for her young, children can take on the stories of the park sparked by a single observation whether a fragment of train tracks or a feather on the path. If you write about it and send us the stories, we’ll send back a small thank you prize.

Events