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Organizing Your Teen's Summer

By Teri Brown

Covey says he's never been a big fan of summers spent lounging on pool decks or locked in a basement playing video games. He believes that teens should enjoy their summers, but they should also have something to show for their time off. "I think a plan that centers itself around a variety of activities that help each teen fulfill his/her longtime goals is the key here," he says. "Maybe a trip to visit several college campuses or a different part of the country will do the trick. The point is to begin each summer with an end in mind, but don't forget to have fun and plan for a few lazy days at the pool."

The following are just a few choices for a teen's summer:

• Sports Camps: If your teen is involved in a sport, check out what camps will increase his or her skills.
• Summer Camps: At this age, teens are often excited to work at the same camps they have been attending for years. Check out and see if their camp has a councilor-in-training program and what the qualifications are.
• Travel: There are a myriad of summer travel opportunities for a teen, from visiting Grandma to a formal group tour designed for teens to a summer/study program through a community college.
• Internships: More and more companies are offering teen internships during the summer break. Is there a field your teen is interested in learning more about? Check out your local businesses and find out if they have internships available.

Volunteering can be a life-changing experience for your teen. There are many places that need help and are willing to train. "When we volunteer and help others, we learn much about ourselves and what we value in life," Covey says. "We learn to take advantage of all we have, and we learn to share our gifts and talents with others. When potential employers or universities or colleges see volunteering on an application, they know that you are committed to more than just yourself. It shows that you have a sense of responsibility and commitment to others."

Want to see more?

• Check out our Article Library.
• Get to Work!: Helping Your Teen Find
  a Summer Job
• I Don't Wanna Go!: Too Old for Summer Camp
• Activities for Summer Vacation: How to Get Your Teenager Away from the Couch
• Talk about it!