What is NextGenServe?
NextGenServe is a City volunteer service club for teens ages 13–18, designed to build leadership skills and foster community service in Fort Collins. Participants explore diverse career paths while working alongside trained staff in areas like Parks, Natural Areas, the Gardens on Spring Creek, and local nonprofits.
Check out the 2022 program in this short video.
How to Get Involved:
Applications for the 2026 program will open on February 1st.
Who to Contact:
If you need support or have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Lux at elux@fcgov.com
NextGenServe Parent Info Night#
The 2026 Parent Info Night will be in January 2026. Please check out the video below for information!
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NextGenServe is a youth volunteer program designed for teens ages 13-18 who are passionate about exploring municipal careers through volunteer service.
By the end of the summer, teens will:
- Volunteer alongside trained staff at over 15 different project areas
- Earn up to 60 community service hours
- Grow in job and leadership skills
- Create lasting connections with peers who are passionate about serving the community
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Our program runs from June through August and is a commitment. However, we understand that summer is a time for vacations. In order to create a strong Crew, we ask that teens commit to at least 80% of the project days.
We will meet outside of City Hall from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. every project day.
Note: On a few special occasions, the day will be extended outside of the normal project hours.
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Some of the benefits of this program include:
- Resume building experiences
- Develop job skills like communication, accountability, and teamwork
- Earn up to 57 hours of volunteer service
- Explore municipal careers
- Behind the scene tours of departments
- Connect with skilled staff
- NextGenServe swag
- Lasting friendships
- Great memories
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Kick-off & In-Person Parent Info Night: Jan. 21
Application Opening Day: Feb. 1
Virtual Parent Info Night: Feb. 3
Application Deadline: Feb. 28
Applicant Interviews: Mar. 17- 28
Selection Date: Apr. 10
Orientation: Jun. 3
Program Dates:
Monday/ Wednesday cohort: 9 a.m. to noon, Jun. 9- Aug. 6
Tuesday/Thursday cohort: from 9 a.m. to noon, Jun. 10- Aug. 6
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To make NextGenServe sustainable, a $200 fee per child for the entirety of the summer will be needed to help cover transportation, food, supplies, and personal protective equipment. Scholarships are available to ensure accessibility.
How to apply for the scholarship:
- Go to the website below
- Create an account
- Upload required documents
- Confirm your account
- Apply for the NextGenServe Scholarship
Summer 2025 Anticipated Schedule#
Jun. 7: Orientation
First Day - get to know you games and team bonding
Colorado Youth Outdoors - shape trees, plant pumpkins, and explore their outdoor space
Twin Silo Park - plant in the hydro wall and restore native habitat
A Little Help - help with household projects like raking, weeding, window washing, and more
OtterCares - explore the OtterBox facility and learn from guest speakers
Poudre Fire Authority - learn what it takes to be a firefighter, wash fire trucks, slide down the fire pole, and help clean the station
TAC212 - explore the Teen Activity Center and help maintain the cleanliness of their facility
Loveland Youth Gardeners (extended day) - sort seeds, hold chickens, and create pollinator houses
Macroinvertebrates with Utilities - learn about Macroinvertebrates in the Poudre River
Macroevertabrates with Utilities Day 2 - teach an audience about what we learned during day 1
FC Moves - become bike ambassadors, offer trailside assistance to folks on the Poudre trail, and learn about transportation across the City
Toadflax Pull at Soapstone (extended day) - pull invasive species like Toadflax and Mullen at our beautiful natural area, Soapstone
Adaptive Recreation Opportunities - connect with a youth camp to run inclusive activities for all to enjoy
City Park Pool Lifeguarding - learn what it takes to be a lifeguard and spend time swimming
Streets - tour the Streets facility where they make road signs, house heavy equipment, and make sandbags for roadblocks
Teen Summit - connect with Project Hort and explore the Gardens on Spring Creek and butterfly house
Restorative Justice Circle - paint rocks for our Restorative Justice volunteers and end-of-summer team reflection circle
End of Summer Party - teen end-of-summer presentations and fun!
NextGen 2025 Highlights#
