Are you looking forward to a summer that is productive and fun for your teen, or are you dreading a summer filled with too much free time and mis-adventures? With some forethought and planning, you can ensure the former, which will set YOU up for more relaxation and pleasure.

Here’s a list of suggestions to get you thinking and exploring opportunities for your teen in your community. Have your teen…

• take a class to learn a new skill - drawing,
  sculpting, music, a
  new craft or new computer application.
• check out enrichment classes offered in summer
  school, community ed or even local colleges.
• look into available summer classes and programs
  offered at area museums or cultural centers.
• volunteer to work with kids, elders, or to usher
  events at cultural centers.
• visit the SPCA to learn about their volunteer
  opportunities.
• introduce himself to the senior centers in town.
  They may love an extra pair of hands -
  especially youthful ones.
• Look into the offerings from your community park
  and rec programs. Depending on the age of your
  teen, there may be opportunities both to participate
  and to be
  leaders or counselors.
• find out about the Bible studies or other religious
  study groups offered by your church or temple.
• sign up for camp. Sports camps, drama camps,
  arts camps… many kinds are available to help kids
  learn new skills and enhance talents.
• babysit in your neighborhood.
• use all those dance lessons by starting a
  neighborhood dance camp for little ones.
• take drivers ed during the summer so you don’t
  have to fit it in during the school year.
• tutor reading or math for younger children.
• take lifeguard training.
• commit to spending a day a week with a
  grandparent, helping with household
  chores.
• develop a childcare/babysitting or art
  program at
  a local pool club.
• get a job! Summer is a great time to get a job
  that will develop responsibility, make money, and
  learn new skills. It’s not too late to apply - but don’t
  wait!

That list just a start. I hope it gets your creative juices going so you can plan ahead and find the right balance of productive busy-ness and relaxing down-time for both you and your teenager.

Have any other good ideas? Post them here and we’ll expand our list for other parents and teenagers.

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