Summer Activities for Your Teenager

Summer vacation is almost upon us, and parents of teenagers everywhere are wondering what activities we can get our teens involved in, so that they aren't wondering aimlessly through the entire summer.

Many of us have summer vacations planned. We're looking forward to lying on the beach this summer, waiting in line for the rides at Disney world, or visiting relatives who live in other towns or countries, whom we only have the chance to see during this time of year.

And then there are us parents who really cant afford to take long summer vacations, due to finances or work responsibilities. So, where does that leave us when deciding how to spend the summer with our teens?
In my experiences with my own kids, I've found that summer break is less stressful for all of you, if you have a plan. My teens agenda for this summer, unfortunately, wont include lots of trips or expensive activities. For one thing, i just cant afford it, and for another, I definitely don't have the time for a lot of traveling. So, I sat down and did some research and came up with some pretty fun activities that will, at least, keep them from getting bored and forever whining about how poor they are because they don't get to go on one exotic trip after another during the summer like there friends do.

My family and I will be doing a lot of camping out. I booked one weekend at an area mountain camp ground, where we can swim, hike and raft. But the majority of our camping will be done outdoors, in our own backyard. My daughter has already made plans for several outdoor sleepovers with her friends during the summer months, sleeping in the tent and cooking out over a fire. Usually I'll go and stack up on all there favorite junk foods, they enjoy grilling out burgers and making smores over the fire late at night. And she's going to move the TV outside so they can watch some of there favorite movies. We tried this last year and the kids had so much fun, its also a great way to get them outdoors and enjoying the summer.

I know its hard keeping teens occupied when your on a budget, just about everything they enjoy doing with there friends costs, movies, skating, the mall, it all requires money. And when your like me, and have 5 teenagers with there hands out constantly, you just cant afford it. But there are less expensive ways to keep them occupied and happy for the summer.

Volunteering is something your teen may have never heard of before now, but is a really good way for your child to use that extra time they have during the summer. Volunteering teaches them about respect and compassion for others, it helps develop there self worth and independence. There are many organizations that could really use the extra help, and would be able to put your teen to good use. Soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and local churches who offer food pantries and clothes closets, are constantly in need of volunteers to help them out with distribution.

Nursing homes and hospitals are also good ways for your teen to volunteer there extra time to a worthy cause. They are always looking for people to help out with patients by reading to them or just taking the time to sit and talk with them. Volunteering right in your own neighborhood is also a wonderful choice, they develop independence and self worth by doing chores and outside work for elderly neighbors, which oftentimes, they are praised and rewarded for.

How about making this the first summer they've actually had to work and make there own spending money. Do they have a lawnmower at there disposal? Allow them to walk through the neighborhood offering to cut grass for a small fee, this a great way for them to earn there own money for those extra things they want to do, and teach them business sense in the process.

Not interested in doing yard work? There are lots of small side jobs your teen could become involved in. For instance, babysitting for neighbors and friends, yard sales, selling Avon, making there own ice cream and selling ice cream cones to the neighborhood kids or hot dogs, even a car wash.

Does your child harbor a love for anything automotive? Then get them involved in restoring old cars, a fun and unique way for them to spend those summer afternoons, and a great bonding experience for the two of you.
About three years ago, my husband bought my son some kind of old classic car, it didn't run and needed a rebuilt engine, new transmission and a ton of body work. But the point is, they had so much fun together rebuilding it, spending all day, from sunup to sundown in the garage. For my son, that old car was the answer to a lot of problems he had been having in his life. It took all that energy and turned it toward something positive. Instilling a feeling of pride and happiness in my son, and, developing a love for rebuilding old cars, and is now something he can do professionally.

Summer camps are a common choice for parents when looking for summer activities for your children. There are camps for teenagers, however, there aren't nearly as many that cater to the interests and age groups of teens, as there are for the younger children. To check out some local summer camps for teens log on to www.mtnadventureguides.com. Also, if your teen was one who enjoyed the camp experience as a child, they may like being a counselor or volunteer at a summer camp for younger children. Bible schools are also looking for volunteers to teach kids. If your teen is one who is on fire for god, they may consider forming a neighborhood bible school right in there own backyard. Teaching younger children about the lord, reading the bible, doing activities that instill and develop a love for the lord.

Local swim centers in your area usually sponsor swim days for family during the week. Allowing the whole family to swim all day for just a few dollars. This is a great way for your teen to get physically fit, while making friends and having fun. Sometimes they even hire lifeguards for the summer months, if your teenager is an avid swimmer this could be something they might be interested in.

Set up an outdoor theater with a projector and a large screen, or make the side of the garage your movie screen. Allow the kids to set out there favorite lawn chairs, refreshments, and you're all set. This is always a big hit at our house, and is the reason you can find all the neighborhood teenagers hanging out in my back yard.
Encourage your teens to plant and grow there own vegetables or flowers, starting a small container garden is the ideal way to begin your gardening endeavors.

Encourage there creativity with painting lessons, or writing classes, urge them to indulge in and develop there interests.

Have a sewing machine? Buy some patterns, cloth and embellishments so they can design and create there own clothing line. This is especially fun for girls, mine love creating and showing off there own unique clothing. They've made cute dresses, skirts, even curtains and bedspreads for there rooms, with enough patterns and cloth they'll have the entire house redecorated in no time.

There are tons of things to keep kids busy over the summer, sometimes we just have to give them a little push in the right direction. With guidance and instruction from there parents, this could turn into a summer of new beginnings, new interests born, and creativities bred.

I really enjoy spending time with my kids and there friends, that's what summers all about, enjoying your family.
There are tons of activities to get your teens involved in during summer vacation. Check out these websites for some great ideas to use with your own teenager, www.parentingteens.com, www.reallifeguidance.com, and www.parentsofteens.com.