Stratford Community Services offers programs for young people to help them learn new skills, begin to take leadership roles, participate in community activities together with adults and peers and challenge themselves to achieve their full potential. These programs build developmental assets that all young people need to grow up healthy, competent and caring. The more assets young people build, the less likely they are to develop problems.

Eligibility, registration and fees vary for each program. Scholarships are available, and no one is refused participation for inability to pay.

Adventure Challenge consists of both in-school and after-school groups that provide youth with structured, physically and mentally challenging experiences. Youth build self-confidence, set personal goals and learn how to work with others.

During the 2008-09 school year, Adventure Challenge is offered after school for sixth grade students at Stratford Academy.

In The Spotlight is a summer youth theater production sponsored in cooperation with Sterling House Community Center.  The 2009 production, South Pacific, is on July 30, 31, August 1, 2009 at the Stratford Theatre.  Auditions will be June 1, 2, & 4, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at the Birdseye Municipal Complex.  Stratford actors, singers, dancers and musicians in grades 6 to 12 are eligible.  For more information, e-mail lossso@townofstratford.com.    

Inside Out is a theatrical company of middle and high school students which gives performances on contemporary issues for elementary, middle, high school and adult audiences.  Auditions, open to all Stratford students in grades 7 to 12, for the 2007-08 school year have been conducted.  Auditions for the 2008-09 school year have been completed. 

Inside Out will opened its 28th performance season on Monday, December 8, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. at the Stratford Theatre, 2422 Main Street, Stratford.  This year's show titled, Livin' Respect. . .One Skit At A Time, is an original show that deals with issues facing today's youth including conflict resolution, internet safety, diversity and cliques. 

Internships are available to high school juniors and seniors interested in the fields of education, child care and human services.  Interns work as Adventure Challenge group co-facilitators.

Peer Advocates (formerly called Natural Helpers) provides training to high school students who are already identified as “natural” helpers. It gives them skills they need to provide help more effectively to their peers.

Peer Advocates have been identified through a school-wide survey and invited to attend an overnight training retreat held in the summer.

Introduction to Volunteering provides students completing sixth grade with volunteer experience for one week in July.  

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