YouthCorp
What is the Youthcorp Program?
What makes YouthCorp special is that it's youth-led and peer-driven—participants become self-directed and learn to truly listen to one another in ways that are often different from how they interact with adults or caregivers. The result is an environment of mutual respect, shared growth, and meaningful connection that empowers young people to step into their full potential.
Testimonials from our Youthcorp Team
ASA, he/him, 17 years old. Been at Hilltown for 5 -6 years
"I saw the Princess Bride show at Berkshire East and it looked so fun that I wanted to do it the next summer. It looked like all of the actors were having a blast and I loved watching it.
For me, Hilltown youth has been a yearly escape. Every summer I spend about a month doing the summer spectacle and it is a great break from my daily life. Everyone at Hilltown Youth is really nice and all the lack of overbearing rules makes for a really relaxed, peaceful, and loving environment. When I was younger I was mostly content just hanging out playing games and getting ready for the show, but as I got older I wanted to be a bit more involved in organizing everything. As a part of YouthCorp, I still felt like I had the same role in the community, but I was just asked to help out a bit more (and got paid).
In the 6 years that I have been involved in Hilltown youth, it had always felt like an escape from any and all stresses of normal life. It has been really nice being able to take a step back from all of my problems and reflect with a group of really kind, supporting people.
I am going to continue to hone my leadership skills that I have learned and improved upon through Hilltown. Obviously, I have furthered my interest and ability in acting through being an actor in so many of the summer spectacles. I feel like I have become a much kinder and more compassionate person just from being around other people like that at Hilltown. Just being around really nice people let me become nicer, it kind of 'wore off' on me."
BELA, she/her, 14 yrs old, been at HYT for 3-4 years
"My mom works for Jonathan so I have always sort of been connected to Hilltown Youth. I used to come and play on the silks but I guess it always scared me, the thought of getting a role in a play and having to learn and memorize all of the lines and then perform it. But once I got the courage to join, it was something I had never experienced before and I LOVED IT!!! Hilltown Youth is a place where there is no judgment and all encouragement!! And it is such a fun and exciting place for people to share their love for acting and circus. Hilltown Youth is a fun and engaging environment, and I am so glad to be a part of it."
Olivia, she/her pronouns, and I am 15 turning 16. Been at HYT since the summer of 2024
This will be my 2nd summer at Hilltown, summer 2025. Deciding to be involved with HYT was probably the best decision that I've ever made. I heard about Hilltown from my mom because some people from HYT were doing a little spiel at her work (The RECOVER Project) about what HYT was. I wasn’t able to be at the spiel because I was at school so my mom ended up telling me about what HYT was and asked me if I was interested in attending. Of course my answer was YES and I’m so glad it was. Hilltown has benefited me in so many ways and is playing a HUGE role in my life. Hilltown has helped me in overcoming my severe social anxiety and has also helped me in making some new healthy friendships. HYT has also helped me feel like I can be myself without being afraid of being judged. I am highly looking forward to the upcoming years at Hilltown. Some of the things that I am excited about are the trapeze, making even more friends, seeing the friends I made last summer, putting myself out in the world instead of letting my anxiety take over, and also making more connections with my peers. Some of the skills that I will be taking with me and continue to work on are being myself, not being afraid to be social, keep practicing my trapeze and silks tricks/learning new ones, and continuing to make healthy friendships. Something that HYT has made me realize was that there are lots of people out there who are also struggling and also who know how to show kindness and are willing to be friends with someone that they never saw themselves being friends with. If you are thinking about joining HYT I definitely think that you should!
ZOE, she/her, 13 years old. Been at HYT 9 years or 8 years
"I originally joined Hilltown Youth to get to experience performing and get to try new things like circus and acting. Hilltown and Youth Corp has been a place to go to when I’m upset or just want to talk to someone. These programs have given me very close friends and people that I can trust. Going forward, I am excited to perform more and learn more on the trapeze and acrobatics, but most importantly I am excited to teach others what I learned here."
Aurora, 12, she/her, been here
nearly four years.
I started at Hilltown to do something fun during the summer, rather than sitting around. Hilltown and the YouthCorp program have helped me cope with my anxiety and other mental issues, as well as introduce me to the world of acting and circus. Overall, I’ve become far more happy, and made friends that finally appreciate me. I’m looking forward to many more productions at here that will help with my social anxiety, as well as introducing new members into the community, and making them feel at home.
