We are not currently accepting applications for Youth Teaching Assistants at this time. Please check back in late December or early January.
Serving as a YTA provides an extraordinary hands-on way for teens to be involved with a national organization, the Smithsonian Institution. YTAs befriend, help, and act as role models for younger children. Assisting instructors in the camp room, YTAs gain unique experience in a professional setting.
The wide range of programs offer YTAs the opportunity to experience and learn about new subject areas or increase and share their understanding of a more familiar subject such as art, science, history and collections overall. The wide range of programs offer YTAs the opportunity to experience and learn about new subject areas or increase and share their understanding of a more familiar subject such as art, science, or theater. YTAs can earn community service credits and have an intriguing experience to add to a resume or college application.
Summer camp sessions almost all meet for a five-day week, Monday through Friday; the weeks of Juneteenth and July 4th, camp sessions will meet for four days. In-person camp sessions are held on the National Mall in the S. Dillon Ripley Center, unless otherwise stated.
Learn the skills needed to become an outstanding future Youth Teaching Assistant (YTA) in a one-week intensive training camp guided by Smithsonian instructors and the camp program manager. Students entering grade 9 in Fall 2025 or who are at least 14 years old are eligible to participate.