Teen Council

HiTOPS Teen Council is a group of 20 high school seniors who undergo extensive training to become effective peer sexual health educators in their school and community. Students selected for Teen Council receive over 150 hours of training in human sexuality, presentation skills, group facilitation, communication and negotiation skills, and interactive educational techniques.

Teen Council is part of a larger network of peer education programs called Teen PEP. Teen PEP is a collaboration between HiTOPS, The Princeton Center for Leadership Training, and the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services / Division of HIV/AIDS Services. For more information about teen PEP, please visit www.teenpep.org.

How Teen Council Works

Throughout the year, Teen Council conducts workshops in middle schools, high schools, and juvenile detention centers throughout the state of New Jersey. Workshop topics include postponing sexual involvement, pregnancy prevention, sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, homophobia reduction, dating violence and sexual assault. Our goals are to equip teens with the knowledge and skills to prevent unintended pregnancies, STIs and HIV. In addition, the Teen Council aims to promote respect and good communication among teens, reduce teen dating violence and date rape, and combat homophobia.

Training

Participation in HiTOPS Teen Council requires a commitment of time, dedication and responsibility. Students who participate in Teen Council are role models in a position of leadership and we ask them to conduct themselves accordingly. In addition, the time commitments include the following:

• 3 day camp retreat in August
• 5 half-days of intensive instruction in August
• An overnight mid-winter retreat in February
• Weekly, 3-hour training sessions every Tuesday evening from September-June
• Performing scheduled workshops several times per month

What People Say about their Teen Council experience

Members of past years’ Teen Councils consistently cite the HiTOPS experiences as among the most important in their lives. Teaching one’s peers helps build self-esteem and confidence in a way that is often transforming.

Putting the HiTOPS experience into words is no easy task. This is truly the most amazing group I have ever been a part of. I am so proud of all we have accomplished. I feel that besides becoming educated on a number of sexuality issues, I have grown as a person. I can see the effects of HiTOPS in my everyday interactions with peers. Most importantly HiTOPS has given me a vision of what I would like to do for the rest of my life. I will continue to be involved in sexuality education throughout college and in the years that follow. HiTOPS has shown me that I have the ability to make a difference. - former Teen Council member

Apply to become a member of Teen Council >