Summer vacation looked a little different for a group of Torrance high school students this year.

Instead of spending all seven weeks away from school relaxing, participants in the City of Torrance Youth Volunteer Leadership Training Program spent much of the summer learning how to serve their community.

The 2026 program ran from June 15 through August 7 and was open to students entering grades 10 through 12. Participants received training and then worked alongside City recreation staff in a variety of community programs.

Volunteer assignments can include helping children at parks and day camps, assisting with youth sports as coaches, referees or scorekeepers, supporting senior programs, performing office work, and learning about environmental programs at City facilities.

Students can earn up to 100 volunteer hours while also developing communication, leadership, safety and workplace skills.

That makes the program more than something to put on a college application.

It gives young Torrance residents an opportunity to see how their city operates, work with people of different ages and discover what it feels like to be responsible for helping someone else have a better day.

As the 2026 program concludes, these students deserve a little recognition of their own.

Article Link