Northeast Summer of Service 2026

The Northeast Summer of Service is an annual intensive study and service program for youth 15 years old and up. The program has been ongoing since 2019 and focuses on building capacities for service aligned with the Plans of the Universal House of Justice. Generally, youth are brought together for 4-5 weeks in an intensive program of daily institute study and field time for the youth to practice serving as a children’s class teacher or animator in neighborhoods that are designated as centers of intense activity. This endeavor is sponsored by the Northeast Regional Baha’i Council and the Northeast Regional Training Institute.

• Orientation: July 2–9 (arrival evening of July 2 by 6:00 PM)

• Deployment: July 9–26

• Reunion/Reflection: July 26–28

Orientation will take place at Lasell University, 1844 Commonwealth Ave, Auburndale, MA 02466 starting evening of July 2. All participants are expected to arrive on campus between 4:00 and 6:00 PM.

At the close of the program, parents are expected to pick up or arrange transportation for their children for the morning of July 28 unless they are a facilitator. Facilitators will stay until late afternoon on July 28. Pick-up location will be at the program reunion site, which will take place at the Hands in 4 Youth conference center, 256 Macopin Rd, West Milford, NJ 07480. Participants, or their parents or guardians, must make their own arrangements for returning home at the conclusion of the program.

Orientation will take place at Lasell University (1844 Commonwealth Ave, Auburndale, MA 02466) starting evening of July 2. All participants are expected to arrive on campus between 4:00 and 6:00 PM. Orientation is mandatory for anyone who would like to participate in Summer of Service.

During orientation, participants build a shared vision of the purpose and goals of the program, create bonds of friendship, study institute courses that are relevant to their service, and gain initial experience in the field of service. It will be an opportunity for facilitators and participants to get to know each other and begin to adjust to the intensity of the program.

Mornings will be spent in devotions and meditation, study and consultation. Each day, participants will have the opportunity to visit neighborhoods and observe or facilitate activities.

Deployment is the heart of the program. It is the period of time when participants put into practice what they learned during orientation. Participants will have the opportunity to stay in a designated focus neighborhood, where every day they will facilitate children’s classes and junior youth groups, undertake outreach, and practice home visits.

They will also have the opportunity to study in-depth themes of the Baha’i Faith, spend time in meditation and prayer, and live among other youth who are all trying to draw nearer to Baha’u’llah.

There will also be off-day opportunities for recreation and other activities!

Transportation to deployment neighborhoods will be arranged by July 9. Participants will travel by car, van, bus or train. Where necessary, tickets will be purchased by the Regional Baha’i Council or the Northeast Training Institute Board. Parents will be informed of the transportation arrangements for their youth once the deployment teams are finalized, during orientation week. For youth travelling by motor vehicle, they will be driven by an adult who has undergone a background check and motor vehicles record check.

Based on prior experience, when participants leave the program early, it hurts the morale and commitment of the other participants and complicates the plans of the neighborhood team, as they are depending on youth resources for the summer. This year, there is a strict non-negotiable, full-time commitment expectation when registering.

Teaching is a sacred act and the way in which we interact both with the local population and the youth participating in the program must meet the highest standards of rectitude. We consider safety and abiding by minor protection laws a priority that cannot be overlooked. All program coordinators, team coordinators, adult Summer of Service participants, and other adults supporting the program are required to be cleared to work with minors through a background check conducted through Sterling Volunteers and any additional state-required checks for the states that they will serve in. 

As such, all coordinators, facilitators, and participants are required to have a Massachusetts Criminal Offense Record Information (CORI) check in order to be cleared to work with minors while participating in orientation. 

Any coordinators and participants who will be serving in the state of Pennsylvania during deployment must also obtain clearance through the Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Check. 

These clearances to work with minors are facilitated by the Regional Baha’i Council’s regional clearance team. Participants will receive emails from rbcne.clearances@gmail.com after registration with information about how to obtain clearance. We ask that all participants complete the necessary forms or paperwork to obtain their clearance in a timely manner. Obtaining clearance is a requirement to reserve your spot in the Summer of Service program. Please contact us with any questions you may have.

During orientation and deployment, housing is separated by gender and we ensure that there are supervisors above the age of 18 who are cleared to work with minors staying with the youth in their accommodations. Each neighborhood will have strict curfews that youth must abide by for their safety as well as that of their peers.

Summer of Service is subsidized by the Regional Bahá’í Council of the Northeastern States through funds that come from loving and sacrificial contributions made by Bahá’í families and individuals across the region and country. The approximate cost for the full Summer of Service program is $1,500 per participant, which covers nearly a month of activities, including all meals, housing at Lasell University during orientation and at the reunion site in New Jersey at the end of the month, transportation to the various neighborhoods during deployment, study materials, and more. 

Bahá’í families can choose to contribute any amount towards the cost of their children’s participation by using the Online Contribution System (OCS) and selecting the “RBC Northeast - Unrestricted Contributions” fund. Only registered members of the Bahá’í Faith can contribute to the Bahá’í Fund.

Outside of OCS, anyone who wishes to make a payment of any amount towards their own expenses for Summer of Service, or sponsor others, may do so at any time through this link.

All those who wish to support Summer of Service are also encouraged to make in-kind contributions, such as by providing meals or offering to host participants during their time in neighborhoods. Contributions of all kinds are a vital way of sustaining this program as it continues to grow year after year and are greatly appreciated.

One of the goals of Summer of Service is to create a space in which participants can focus their attention on study, prayer, reflection, friendship, and service. To help foster an atmosphere of presence and meaningful participation, all participants are asked to limit the use of personal electronic devices during Summer of Service.

At the beginning of each study session, all participants will silence their cell phones and other personal electronic devices and place them in a designated collection box. Phones will remain in the box during the study session and will be returned during field time or at the conclusion of the session.

Exceptions may be made for medical needs, family emergencies, or other circumstances approved by Summer of Service coordinators. Participants who anticipate needing access to their phones should speak with a coordinator before the session begins.

Shared Responsibility

Participation in Summer of Service is a commitment to learning and contributing to a positive community environment. By placing phones in the collection box during study sessions, participants help create a space where everyone can engage more deeply with one another. We ask all participants to approach this policy in a spirit of cooperation, trust, and mutual support.

This practice is intended to:

• ⁠Encourage full participation in study and discussion

• ⁠Reduce distractions for oneself and others

• Cultivate habits of attentiveness, reflection, and presence

• Strengthen friendships and community through face-to-face interaction

• Create a shared environment of respect for the learning process

Please let us know in your registration form whether you have non-acute medical needs. We will have basic over-the-counter medicine available on-site (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, antacids, and so on). In case of medical emergency, we ask that each participant ensure they have their health insurance information readily available so that if we need to, an adult supporting the program can accompany the youth to an urgent care clinic or emergency room. Parents will be immediately notified and a cleared team coordinator/staff member will stay with the participant until they are discharged or the parents are able to retrieve their child.

Parents can visit their youth if accessible. We only ask that it is during appropriate hours such as meal times or in the evening after they return to their dorms once the daily program has completed. Of course, we ask that parents are mindful to allow their youth time to settle in and visit sparingly. Please inform one of the project coordinators if you plan to make a visit. Contact information listed below. 

Expect to bring enough clothes for about a week. Laundry machines and detergent will be available. If possible, participants should try to fit their belongings in a carry-on suitcase so that there is sufficient space in the vehicles that will be transporting participants to their neighborhoods.

Clothing choices must be guided by the Baha’i teachings on modesty, chastity and refinement. Please do not bring anything that is suggestive or reveals too much. Clothes should be long enough that you can comfortably engage in active movement and at a length that upholds a sense of modesty, comfort, and dignity. We ask families to consult among themselves about the implication of this for their youth’s summer clothing choices!

PACKING LIST

• SUFFICIENT CLOTHES FOR AT LEAST A WEEK (LAUNDRY MACHINES AND DETERGENT WILL BE AVAILABLE)

• TOILETRIES (TOOTHBRUSH, BRUSH, SHAMPOO, SOAP, ETC.)

• RAIN JACKET

• SHOES: SLIDES / SNEAKERS / INDOOR SLIPPERS

• SWIMSUIT (NO BIKINIS/SPEEDOS)

• TOWEL

• REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE

• BACKPACK

• BEDDING — SHEETS (FOR A TWIN MATTRESS), PILLOW, AND A LIGHT BLANKET

• MEDICATIONS, IF NECESSARY

• POCKET MONEY (BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER WILL BE PROVIDED)

Summer of Service is a drug-free, alcohol-free, and weapons-free space. Anyone found with any of these items will immediately be sent home.

Northeast Regional Training Institute
Aleah Douglas Khavari, Secretary
secretary@northeastrti.org

Boston Regional Coordinators
Hayon Thapaliya hayon.thapaliya@northeastrti.org
(267) 634-3408

Samin Charepoo
samin.charepoo@northeastrti.org
(857)-399-6399

NYC Regional Coordinator
Arianna Hakiman
arianna.hakiman@northeastrti.org
(615) 935-0629

Philadelphia Area Regional Coordinator
Jiaan Mansuri
jiaan.mansuri@northeastrti.org
(917) 445-1232