Teen Empowerment

Teens rafting

Teen Empowerment Program

Eugene Rec Teen Empowerment Program works with community partners to provide out of school time recreation and enrichment activities for youth. Programs empower teens by building life and job skills, offering access to caring youth and adult mentors, participating in service opportunities, improving leadership abilities, and increasing access to other vital community resources. Programs are designed to be low-barrier and inclusive so that every young person is provided the opportunity to grow up safely and access their best possible future. All programs are free and provide food.


Current offerings are listed below.

  1. Media, Arts & Technology
  2. Pathways to Employment
  3. Teens in Power

Media, Arts & Technology

Ages 15-19

The goals of the Media, Arts and Technology programs are to teach youth to work successfully with advanced, industry-standard audio-visual equipment, build a mobile media unit out of a cargo trailer, co-host community events and learn to create quality social media content. Youth will gain industry-related job experience applicable to music venue work, audio-visual creation, social media content creation, audio-visual post-production processing and editing and other related skills in creative industries. All activities are adaptable to participants’ unique learning styles.


Intro to Synthesis & Sound Design

Participants will use high-end synthesizers and music-mixing equipment to learn the fundamentals of sound design. Expect to spend this workshop exploring the endless ways to create beats, make music and more.

Washington Park Center

June 3   Saturday   12-4 p.m.   Free

Register online


Intro to Music Production & Recording Arts

There’s an enormous amount of equipment and software involved in the music production field. In this workshop, we’ll demystify some of them together and learn how the tools of the trade can be used to create a project of your own.

Washington Park Center

July 15   Saturday   12-4 p.m.   Free

Register online


Intro to Show Production

Participants will learn how audio setups function for music venues by creating one of their own. In this hands-on workshop, expect to play the different roles of show production to effectively use mic systems, high-capacity speakers and sound mixers. The outcome will be a ready-to-play open mic or karaoke session.

Washington Park Center

August 12   Saturday   12-4 p.m.   Free

Register online


Intro to Projection Mapping

Projection mapping is the art of using a laser-powered projector to throw customized visuals onto surfaces. Popularly used to interactively decorate buildings, murals, stages or landscapes. Participants will learn the basics of using this equipment and how it’s applied to creative practices. Youth will leave the workshop with a digital design that can be developed further in future courses.

Washington Park Center

September 16   Saturday   12-4 p.m.   Free

Register online


Help shape the program design and activities!

Work for Eugene Rec

Ages 16+

We are currently seeking enthusiastic, creative, and motivated individuals to co-create Teen Empowerment Programs. This is a great work opportunity and experience for those interested in youth advocacy and empowerment! Apply online. After you submit your application please let us know by sending us an email.

Contact Us

  1. Youth & Family Services Manager

    Gina Tafoya

    Ph: 541-682-5306

    Contact Us