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 to 28, beginning with a six-day orientation at Lasell University in Newton. On July 9, participants will return home to serve in their local communities (Chelsea or Roxbury). From the July 26 to 28, all participants in the Summer of Service program 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 six days. During orientation, youth have the opportunity to 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 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 or facilitate activities.

  • 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 required for participation.

  • Interns are expected to arrive on site by 9 AM, and the program concludes by 8 PM each evening. Participants are expected to be on time — delays harm the whole group. We hope that parents can support their children 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. One of the greatest services to the program that parents can offer is to ensure that their children arrive on time each day to the meeting location.

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

    During Summer of Service, participants will be busy and may not have immediate access to their phones. If parents have any urgent questions or concerns during the program, they should contact the program coordinators.

  • 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 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.

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.