Apply to be an intern for the Northeast Regional Institute’s Summer of Service 2026 Program. The program runs from July 2-28th and interns are expected to give full-participation for the duration of the full program. During the internship interns will build capacity as leaders, mentors and organizers. They will gain experience planning programs, assisting middle schoolers and children in their education—both academic and moral—and will also be able to expand their own knowledge and skills. At the end of the program, interns will receive:

  • Recommendation letter

  • Certificate of completion

  • 200 Community Service hours

  • Skills learned (mentor, Practice in facilitating group-discussions, engaging with families, and leading social-action projects)

  • Resume writing assistance

Summer of Service 2026 Internship

Apply to be an Intern

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The program will run from July 2-28th. We will begin with a 6 day orientation at Lasell University in Newton. Then on July 9th participants will return home to serve in their local communities (Chelsea or Roxbury). From the 26th-28th all participants from around the Northeast Region will come together for a reunion in New Jersey.

  • Orientation is  mandatory for anyone who would like to participate in Summer of Service and lasts 6 days. During orientation, youth will have the opportunity to build vision, create bonds of friendship, study institute courses that are relevant to their service and gain some initial experience in the field of service. It will be an opportunity for facilitators and participants to get to know each other so that the facilitators  can best support the youth, while the youth 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 and/or facilitate activities.Item description

  • Participants must have prior experience with the Ruhi Institute and have studied Book 1 - Reflections on the life of the Spirit. Prior experience animating a junior youth group or teaching a children’s class is also highly encouraged but not mandatory for participation

  • Each day participants are expected to arrive on site to the meeting space by 10am and done by 7:30pm each evening. Participants are expected to be on time each day as delays negatively impact the whole group. We hope that parents can support their youth in this regard.

  • Parents are a vital part of community life and the program would greatly appreciate any time and resources that parents have to give to their youth and peers.

    There is a sign up sheet for parents to volunteer meals each day. Parents are also asked to attend the Family Celebration at the end of the program which will take place July 25th.

    It would be greatly appreciated if parents can ensure that their children arrive on time each day to the meeting location. During the program the youth will be very busy and so please feel free to contact the program coordinators if there are any concerns or questions.

  • Cell phones are asked to be used sparingly and during limited hours. This program requires youth to be fully motivated and think of how they can use every opportunity to learn both from the study and their fellow peers. We ask that during devotions, study and field time, participants only use their phone for need-based purposes and also limit cell phone use during meals so that they can enjoy the company of their peers. 

  • Please let us know in your registration form whether there are non-acute, medical needs. We will have basic over-the-counter medicine available on-site i.e, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, tums, etc., In the case of a medical emergency, we ask that each youth please ensures that 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 and/or the parents are able to come and retrieve their child.

The materials of this internship are inspired by and draw from the teachings of the Baha’i Faith.

The Baha’i Faith is a global religion based on the teachings of Baha’u’llah, the Manifestation of God for this day. The central teaching of the Baha’i Faith is the oneness of humanity: the principle that all people, regardless of race, religion, national origin, or any outward distinction form part of one human family and that every individual has a responsibility towards contributing to the material and spiritual progress of society. Baha’is believe that humanity is entering an age of maturity where the wars, oppressive social structures, and inequality of our childhood will be left behind and principles like the oneness of humanity, the equality of men and women, and universal education will govern the relationships between humanity’s diverse and differing parts. 

The programs offered by the Northeast Regional Training Institute are all inspired by the teachings of the Baha’i Faith and underlined by Baha’u’llah’s vision for the society we can create and the individual we can become. This vision is explicit throughout the programs of the institute. However, recognizing that every individual has a responsibility towards creating this new world, they are outward-looking and open to people of all backgrounds. Those serving as teachers and mentors at the institute hail from many unique religious, racial, and national backgrounds. You can learn more about the Baha’i Faith at bahai.org.