Teen & Youth Development

Inspiring excellence through quality programs, workforce development and continuous improvement, the Teen and Youth Development unit provides a variety of great teen opportunities including technology training, pre-employment training, employment opportunities, service-learning/volunteer opportunities, out-of-school time programs, social recreation, and more! Check out our offerings below.

Youth Employment and Service Learning (YESL)

Seattle Parks and Recreation has a wide range of service-learning and community service opportunities in your neighborhoods. Please consult your counselor or teacher at your school to find what the requirements are for your respective school and to have the project approved. Youth are responsible for supplying the appropriate paperwork to document service-learning and community service hours.

Apply for Jobs!

Seattle Parks and Recreation has programs that pay their participants throughout the year. For some programs, service hours are also available. The number of positions is dependent on grant funding for many of these programs. Each program has a different scope, schedule, and requirements. Please use the contact information within each program description for any questions. All programs are inclusive! See more on our jobs page.

Teen Life Centers and Late-Night Programs

Seattle Parks and Recreation has three Teen Life Centers that offer a wide array of programming to Seattle area youth including: special events, Late Night Programs, computer labs, recording studios, cooking classes, social recreation and much more. Late Night programs are for ages 13 - 19 only.

Hours updated 9/7/23:

Garfield Teen Life Center
Phone: (206) 684-4550
Address: 428 23rd Ave, 98122
Garfield Teen Life Facebook
Mon, Tues and Thurs 3:30pm-8pm
Wed 2:30-8pm
Friday 3:30pm - 7pm (Late Night 7pm-12am)
Saturday/Sunday: Closed

Meadowbrook Teen Life Center
Phone: (206) 684-7523
Address: 10750 30th Ave NE, 98125
Meadowbrook Teen Life Facebook
Tues and Thurs: 3:30pm-8pm
Wed 2:30-8pm
Fri: 3:30pm - 7pm (Late Night 7pm - 12am)
Sat: 5pm - 12am (Late Night only)
Sunday/Monday: Closed

Southwest Teen Life Center
Phone: (206) 684-7438
Address: 2801 SW Thistle St, 98126 (Enter south side of building)
Southwest Teen Life Center Facebook
Tues and Thurs: 2:30pm-8pm
Wed 1:30-8pm
Fri: 3:00pm - 7pm (Late Night 7pm-12am)
Sat: 7pm - 12am (Late Night only)
Sunday/Monday: Closed

Late Night Programs

It is highly encouraged to call ahead to ensure that the Late-Night Program is open prior to showing up. Participant E-13 form is required. 

Late Night is a safe and supportive environment for teens ages 13-19. This recreation-based program is held on Fridays and Saturday evenings from 7 pm-12 am with a focus on positive teen interactions and engagement where all teens are welcomed. The Late-Night Program is aligned with and supportive of the city’s Race and Social Equity framework, including education and employment readiness programs, social recreation and more. Come to your local Late Night and explore more of what we have to offer! Download the Late Night Program History document for more information about this program.

See section above for Garfield, Meadowbrook and Southwest Teen Life Center info.

Bitter Lake Community Center
13035 Linden Ave N
Seattle, WA 98133
(206) 684-7524
Fridays & Saturdays: 7pm-12am

Rainier Beach Community Center
8825 Rainier Ave S
Seattle, WA 98118
(206) 386-1925
Fridays & Saturdays: 7pm-12am

South Park Community Center
8319 8th Ave S
Seattle, WA 98108
(206) 684-7451
Fridays: 6:30pm-10:30pm

Van Asselt Community Center
2820 S Myrtle St
Seattle, WA 98108
(206) 386-1921
Fridays: 7pm-11pm

The Teen Summer Musical

This 9-week program with a focus on youth of color introduces young people to the world of theater. Through performing arts workshops and collaborative practice, Summer Musical participants develop an increased level of self-discipline, self-confidence and self-motivation.  These character traits are essential to helping participants grow to become emotionally healthy and contributing members of our community. During the program, our professional staff of artists nurtures the expression of dreams and developing talents that often lie dormant within the hearts of adolescents. A true sense of family emerges along with clearly defined roles and responsibilities as young people accomplish their goals. The adapted storylines of traditional plays create a true racial equity lens allowing the youth to better relate to the theatrical experience and the play, and own the “Magic” of how theater works.

Community Learning Centers

Community Learning Centers (CLC) are Out-of-School Time (OST) programs coordinated by Seattle Parks and Recreation staff professionals, based out of Seattle Public School sites and offered during and after school, at lunchtime, and on school breaks (Mid-Winter, Spring) and Summer. These CLCs are currently active in five middle schools and one elementary school, collectively serving approximately 2000 students each year. At each site, CLC Coordinators work closely with school administration and staff to ensure that OST programs incorporate both effective academic instructional models and youth development best practices. OST programs encompass a variety of academic, enrichment, recreational, culturally specific and family engagement events and activities developed in collaboration with school staff, school-based partners, and other community-based organizations catering to the unique dynamics and needs of each schools' community. CLCs are funded through the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy along with grants from Best Start for Kids (King County) and Youth Development Executives of King County (YDEKC). Previously the CLCs were funded through the Seattle Families and Education Levy and the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant, managed by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

Alki Kurose Middle School
For additional information about programs or registration instructions, please contact the CLC Coordinator at (206) 252-7711 or via email Mike.Browne@seattle.gov

Denny Middle School
For additional information about programs or registration instructions, please contact the CLC Coordinator at (206) 423-1523, or via email Stephen.Boney@seattle.gov

Mercer International Middle School
For additional information about programs or registration instructions, please contact the CLC Coordinator at (206) 252-8056, or via email Cameron.Roth@seattle.gov

Northgate Elementary School
For more information about programs or registration instructions, please contact Northgate CLC Coordinator at (206) 510-0892, or via email Rebecca.Brito@seattle.gov

Washington Middle School
For additional information about programs or registration instructions, please contact the CLC Coordinator at (206) 849-9203, or via email Paula.Pablo@seattle.gov