Youth and Teens

Summer Enrichment

The Rise Summer Academic Enrichment Program offers up to 100 at-risk students in grades preK-12 the opportunity to develop their math, reading, science, art, and language arts skills and strengthen their social skills. The participants and staff reflect the diversity of our community and are fluent in several languages in addition to English.  Families pay a small fee based on their income level and sibling discounts are offered.

In the morning, children attend a rotating schedule of classes including math, science, language arts, reading and fine arts.  NJ Certified Teachers conduct the academic classes that are designed to foster students’ imagination as well as enhance basic skills.  The Hightstown/East Windsor curriculum is utilized and all required summer reading and book reports are completed so children will be school ready in each subject area on the first day back to school.  

Counselors work with students to plan and rehearse for the talent show scheduled for the final week of camp as well as supervise games and creative activities.  By the end of day, our campers have had two free nutritious meals and a full day of learning and fun.

Every Friday of camp features a special event or field trip. The final day of camp incorporates a family picnic where staff, family, sponsors, and participants mingle and celebrate the accomplishments of the individual campers.

In partnership with East Windsor Regional School District,  we host Rise Summer Academic Enrichment Program, a six-week summer day camp for local children from kindergarten through eighth grade. This program is designed to provide quality summer childcare for local families while providing a fun and educational experience. Fees are assessed on a sliding scale in order to be affordable to all families.  Click here to find out more about the Rise Summer Camp.

Anyone interested in donating outdoor supplies, beach materials, games or activities, arts and crafts, or classroom and first aid supplies, please feel free to consult our Wish List and contact the Rise office at 609-443-4464.

Summer Teen Leadership Conference

A week-long overnight conference held in a college dormitory. Students are given courses in Leadership where they learn about how they can make a difference in their communities. They create a “passion project” where they can determine a goal that positively affects their community and creates change. The students are enabled to envision and be motivated to create the future they want and deserve.

Upon completion of the program, students receive 40 hours of community service from Rise that includes educational programming in leadership and team skill building, social justice activism. drug awareness and substance abuse prevention, self defense, and mental health. Each scholar creates a portfolio that documents progress and growth within the program.

Rise to College Readiness

Rise provides support for the practical mechanics of applying for college. We assist the underrepresented juniors and seniors in the East Windsor Regional School District in navigating the complex process of planning, searching, applying, choosing, and paying for college.  Barriers are removed and mentors will provide guidance to the students interested in pursuing additional education.

Rise to Youth Entrepreneurship 

The Rise to Youth Entrepreneurship initiative creates opportunities for youth in the East  Windsor/Hightstown community to engage in entrepreneurial ventures. Young entrepreneurs with the potential to become local business owners are often unable to move beyond obstacles presented by living in poverty; they lack access to the necessary training and mentoring, which could mean the difference between success and failure. We offer students an opportunity to create a business plan, meet with mentors, and receive seed money for a viable start-up business.  

Year-Round STEAM Programming

With local partners Rise provides a variety of afterschool and weekend classes in coding, robotics, digital art, entrepreneurship, and tutoring support. Call the Rise office or visit uRise.njrise.org for a calendar of current offerings

Rise Snack Shack

Many of our local kids receive breakfast and lunch at school– but after school they sure could use a snack. They need fuel to do their homework, play a sport, or work at a job. The Snack Shack, open at the Rise Thrift Store, supplies the fuel they need to keep going, to give it their all, and be their very best.