What to do with teens during the summer?
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What to do with teens during the summer?
| Mon, 05-21-2007 - 11:47am |
I could really use some advice/ideas.
| Mon, 05-21-2007 - 11:47am |
I could really use some advice/ideas.
If you have a local YMCA, enroll him in a 'counselor in training' progam...it's designed to provide older youth with training to eventually help and be counselors at the YOUNGER kids' camps..........It's probably glorified summer day camp, but it would provide him with training that could POSSIBLY be used for summer employment as he's older in high school and college. It would look good on an employment resume later (when he's old enough to work).
He can volunteer at the hospital or local nursing home delivering things, reading, etc.....
I have 2 teen boys too, and my oldest is hoping to WORK, and my youngest is quite content with hanging out at home....but it would be nice to have him do SOMETHING other than just veg!
Next week he's off so he can totally relax after finals (but will be working on his Eagle project at night), the next week he has a glass camp, then DS14, by his choice, is going to summer school (7:40-12:45) and in those evenings is on a recreational swim team for 6 weeks, then we go on vacation for a week. The last 3 weeks of his time off, he'll be working 8:45-3:45 as a teen intern at a craft facility for younger kids; then he'll stay there from 4-5:45 to do teen camps (that's what they earn for being the intern). Looking forward to it.
Sue
We have many local day camps around here so that counselor in training program sounds like an excellent idea to me. Both my dd's did that for a couple of years. Also, at 14, most overnight camps will take them at that age and it's fun for them because the counselors often allow the older kids to come up with some of their own programs and activities, help with counselor tasks and manage the younger kids. Both my dds did overnight camps for a few years as well.
How about putting an ad in the local paper and setting your ds with a babysitting job for the summer? Or a pet sitting business? Or a lawn/garden care job? There are many people who work and would love to have someone care for their dog or lawn or gardens while they are at work. Look into your local Red Cross babysitters course and have ds take it so he can babysit.
Also, look into local farms if there are any in your area. Many farms hire on 14/15 year olds to help with the animals and farm work. A neighbor's kid has worked on a local farm since she's 12 and she's 16 now and loves it! Her farm runs a farm camp and this year she's a counselor.
I'm worried sick over my dd17. She's supposed to graduate in June and since she hasn't lined up extra hours at her PT job, she will be free a lot over the summer. She needs to work more hours to save for her college tuition and for car repairs, gas, etc., and now I feel like she'll just be galavanting all over creation with her friends instead!!
She is supposed to do some volunteer work for my sister at times throughout the summer.
DH and I are both home office. That said, I have to go to the main office one day a week and am frequently out on appointments. DH is the same with appointments-it is very unpredictable
in terms of when we will be home and that is a GOOD thing! Keeps them on their toes.
Although the tendency might be to inform him in great detail of your schedule, keeping him and the cousin uneasy about when you might pop home would be my advice
The suggestions here are wonderful if you have transportation opportunities. No public transportation here although some is in the works(my youngest will be driving by then, Im sure)
If you cant arrange anything else, I would be sure they have a cell phone and check in frequently
My biggest worry with DS3 is that he will veg all day, as someone has mentioned-but I also realize there are worse things. And, personally, I never stressed about the sleeping until noon with my kids over the summer. Less time to worry about them-they may be up to all hours but Im home and they're in their room!
It's always fall before you know it
Well, there is always summer reading programs at most public libraries.