| | Published March 13th, 2013
| Getting Your Teen off the Sofa This Summer
| | By Cathy Tyson |  | |
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Parents of teens and 'tweens are usually torn over how their kids will spend the summer. While many sporty students have a variety of options, finding a balance that encourages healthy activity, something productive - to possibly include on a college bound resume - that is at least slightly cool is a challenge. Endless hours spent home alone can sometimes be a recipe for trouble.
While many students may just prefer to stay up late, sleep in, then manage to shuffle to the nearest video game controller, both Orinda and Lafayette have made a point to reach out to this challenging teen demographic. Unfortunately Moraga Parks and Recreation Department was unavailable as our deadline for this story approached.
"We're expanding our offerings this year," said Linda Dezzani, recreation supervisor with the City of Orinda, "to include programs for teens." The changes are geared to meet the needs of parents whose kids have enjoyed Camp Orinda but are wondering what to do when they age out of that program at the tender age of 11. While many Orinda Parks and Recreation specialty camps accept teens up to age 13 or 14, like cooking camp, film making camps, rock and roll band works and musical theater camps along with creative writing classes, staff have been working hard to put together options for slightly older kids.
This year the Orinda Parks and Rec is offering two specific programs designed just for these youths. For the first time ever, there's "Teen Leadership Camp" and an as yet unnamed outings-based program that's sure to be epic. For two separate weeks in July, the Ranch House at Wilder Park will be the home base for a half-day interactive workshop that strives to help teens become strong leaders and get them active in the community, featuring special speakers that are leaders in the community to inspire the kids and a community service component. The first week, July 15-19 is designed for younger teens from 11 to 13 years old, the second week July 22-26 is focused on kids 13 to 17 years old.
In addition there's an outing-based day camp for kids aged 11 through 14; Parks and Recreation staff are still working on an official title. Each week will include three field trips to places including Great America, Water World and Boomers, with Tuesdays reserved for team building, outdoor games and projects and Fridays for camp games, a barbecue and more.
Finally there's the Junior Camp Counselor option - paid positions for teens that are at least 16 years old, who will assist staff to keep littler campers on task. Check out their activity guide for all the details, available at www.cityoforinda.org, the summer 2013 issue is still being finalized, but should be completed soon.
Jonathan "Ace" Katayanagi is the recreation supervisor for the Youth, Teen and Sports Program with the City of Lafayette. For teens looking for fun leadership experiences, they offer Junior Recreation Leader camps that accept 14 to 17 year olds on a week by week basis to work alongside recreation leaders from either 8:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. or for just a bit of the afternoon from 2:15 to 5:15 p.m. at Camp Awesome, at the Lafayette Community Center in Burton Valley.
Participants in the Junior Rec Leader program can range from first-timers to more experienced kids, said Katayanagi. He admits that hiring paid staff to run their many programs is very competitive; they hire mostly college students, but some high school students who have been through the program and "shine" have received offers. For more information, visit their online guide of recreation programs at www.lafayetterec.org.
You can also check the Town of Moraga Recreation website for the soon to be released summer camps issue at www.moraga.ca.us/dept/park-rec/about.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA