Bayside Youth Citizens Academy: A Hands-On Summer Passport

Have a civic-minded teen at home—or one who’s simply curious about how the Village of Bayside really works? This summer’s Bayside Youth Citizens Academy is an engaging, no-cost opportunity for residents ages 13–17 to step behind the scenes of village departments, meet the people who serve the community, and even try out some of their tools — from the dispatch console to a DPW garbage truck. ​

What to Expect

The 2025 academy features five Wednesday sessions, 2–3:30 pm, July 16 – August 13. Each week focuses on a different corner of local government, blending quick briefings with interactive tours: ​

• July 16 – General Government
  Elections, budgeting, property taxes, boards & committees

• July 23 – Police Department
  Station tour, myBlue cameras, PetPatrol, Drug Drop-Off

• July 30 – Fire & EMS
  Stations, internships, equipment demos

• August 6 – Emergency Dispatch
  911 calls, text-to-911, dispatch technology

• August 13 – Public Works
  Collections, forestry, sewer & stormwater (plus that ride in the garbage truck)

Participants get plenty of “try-it-yourself” moments—spending time in a holding cell, listening to real 911 recordings, and more. ​Cost to attend is FREE (participants are asked to attend all five sessions).

Why Sign Up?

1. Build Civic Know-How – Understand how taxes become services and how decisions get made.

2. Strengthen Community Ties – Meet neighbors who keep Bayside running and discover ways to contribute.

3. Explore Career Paths – From law enforcement to public works, see public-service roles up close before college choices loom.

Here’s how to learn more and sign up.