Teen Exploration Program

Sunflower Teen Exploration Programs (STEP)

Baking | Hospitality

Baking

Sunflower offers Teen baking classes and work exposure for students in high school ages 15 through graduation, with a variety of learning disabilities, ADHD, and/or Level 1 or some Level 2 Autism Spectrum Disorders. Classes provide a hands-on opportunity to experience baking in a professional kitchen, learn basic baking skills, safe food handling, kitchen safety, explore job opportunities in the food industry and have a taste of job expectations.

There will be 2 sessions offered during July 2026, and one in August. For each of these sessions, the classes will meet on Mondays through Thursdays from 4-6:30PM. The curriculum will be the same for all three sessions. The following sessions will be offered in those months:

• Session 1 July 20th-23rd
• Session 2 July 27-30th
• Session 3 August 3rd-6th

During the School Year, classes will be offered on Mondays and Tuesdays from 4-6:30pm, for 2 consecutive weeks. The curriculum will remain the same throughout the year.

School year sessions from October, 2026 through June, 2027:

• Session 4 Oct. 12-13, 19-20
• Session 5 Nov. 2-3, 9-10
• Session 6 Feb. 1-2, 8-9
• Session 7 March 29-30, April 5-6
• Session 8 June 21-22, 28-29

A teen may only register for up to one session of Baking and one session of Hospitality each fiscal year. Students will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and must be at least 15 years old at the start of their session. All classes are held at 5951 Halpine Road in Rockville.

Safety is of utmost concern in a kitchen with industrial equipment and sharp tools.

Potential risk factors include uncontrolled seizures, difficulties with balance, control of anger or frustration, sensitivity to sensory irritants, and/or inability to remain standing throughout the 2½-hour class. If a student requires 1:1 assistance, please indicate that on the application form so we may plan accordingly. Generally, teens are expected to participate as one of 4 students with a professional Instructor and two assistants.

For funding, Sunflower is approved under the Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) program of the Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) to provide our teen bakery exposure classes. If your teen has signed up with the DORS Pre-ETS program, then inform your counselor, so DORS can begin the approval process. There will be no needs assessment in order to qualify. If you live in Maryland and have not yet signed up for Pre-ETS, please contact the nearest office of DORS for assistance. If a teen is not in Maryland, or not known to DORS, families may pay the fee privately.

To apply, please read the Instructions (PDF), then complete the Baking Application (PDF) and return as indicated on the Application Form. Please contact us at teens@sunflowerbakery.org if you would like more information or have any questions or concerns.

Hospitality

Exciting and new! Sunflower is now offering a new Sunflower Teen Exploration Program (STEP), a Hospitality Job Exploration Program for students in high school, ages 15 through graduation, who have a variety of learning differences, ADHD, or low-support autism. These classes will offer hands-on, real-time opportunities to learn about basic customer service skills, safe food handling, workplace communications, a good work ethic and an introduction to job expectations. All classes will be held at our location in Rockville at 5951 Halpine Road.

Each session of four, 2.5-hour classes will meet on four consecutive Sunday afternoons during the School Year from 1-3:30pm. School year sessions:

• Session 1 Oct. 11, 18, 25, Nov.1, 2026
• Session 2 Feb. 14, 21, 28, March 7, 2027
• Session 3 May 16, 23, June 6, 13 2027 (Skip May 30, for Memorial Day weekend.)

Topics covered will include an introduction to the wide range of jobs available in the hospitality field. In our Bakeshop, teens will be exposed to our professional work environment and working directly with customers.

Sunflower’s STEP is approved under the Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) program of the Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS). Students living in Maryland may be eligible for funding through DORS. Others may pay privately to participate.

Safety is of utmost concern in the Bakeshop environment. Potential risk factors include uncontrolled seizures, difficulties with balance, control of anger or frustration, and sensitivity to sensory irritants. If a student requires 1:1 assistance, a support person may be provided if authorized for funding. Applicant needs will be considered individually, on a case-by-case basis, to determine accommodations. Generally, teens are expected to participate as one of 3-4 students with a professionally trained instructor, a disability professional and teen peer volunteer assistants.

To apply, please read the Instructions (PDF), then complete the Hospitality Application Form (PDF) and return with requested documents as indicated. For further information, contact Sara Portman Milner, LCSW-C at teens@sunflowerbakery.org.