Parent Alert June 2022
The school year is over, and summer is just around the corner. Kids are excited about their well-deserved break, and while you might be just as excited, you’re probably thinking about how to keep them occupied over the next few months.
Teens are often struggling to assert their independence, so it’s tempting to just let them figure out how to entertain themselves. And that can be good for everyone, to an extent. But too much relaxing downtime can turn into boredom, and boredom can lead to some risky behaviors in teens.
Fortunately, there are many ways for teens to stay occupied that foster their independence and build assets:
 | Volunteer Giving back to the community helps youth gain valuable job skills and gives them a more compassionate lens for viewing the world. Teens can check with local organizations for volunteering opportunities. |
| Learn a new skill Encourage your teen to find a summer class for a skill they’re interested in having. Community centers and colleges usually provide summer intro courses for arts and hobbies, and many are free or low-cost (be sure to check for scholarships or discounts). |  |
 | Stay active Plan a family activity such as hiking or swimming with your teen. Let them take the lead with the fun parts (choosing the activity, picking a location), and have them help you with the practical stuff (packing food, water, sunscreen, etc.). |
For more information on summer activities for youth (and why they’re important!), check out these links:
100+ Things for Teens to Do This Summer – The Student Den
Give Your Kids a Healthy Body and Mind This Summer – CDC
How to Keep Your Teenager Busy During Summer – Gateway Region YMCA
Know! To Create a Summer Bucket List – Prevention Action Alliance
Know! To Hop Off The “Let Them Be Bored” Bandwagon – Prevention Action Alliance
The Case Against Boredom – Institute for Family Studies
Types of Fun Summer Activities for Teens – Verywell Family
Local summer fun:
Boys and Girls Club of Wooster
Orrville Area Boys and Girls Club
Orrville Public Library
Wayne Center for the Arts
Wayne County Public Library
YMCA of Wayne County
Or visit your city’s official website for information on youth recreation
Thank you for being a vital part of our community!
Please click on the link below to send this Parent Alert to a family member or friend. They will also have the opportunity to sign up to receive monthly Parent Alerts.
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Our mailing address is:
Rittman SALT Coalition
c/o 104 Spink St.
Wooster, OH 44691
CoalitionsCommunication@gmail.com