It's that time again–school is out and the kids are bouncing off the walls with boredom. Never fear! There are plenty of ways for kids and teens to stay active and have fun in Pinellas County all summer long!

From free options like volunteering, to summer camps and park programs–there is something for everyone! Check out these ideas for keeping kids and teens busy (and out of trouble!).

Give Back to the Community
Volunteering is a wonderful way for teens to make use of their free time over the summer. They will learn a valuable lesson in helping others and may even earn volunteer hours toward the high school graduation requirement that many schools have. Visit this link to search for volunteer opportunities in Pinellas County.

• VIP: Volunteers in Pinellas

Visit a Park or Volunteer at One
There are so many options for beautiful parks to visit in Pinellas County, but you can volunteer at parks as well. Visit the county's website to learn more.

• Volunteer in Parks

Join the Y
The YMCA of the Suncoast has 10 locations and offers various programs from summer camps to fitness classes, swimming lessons and sports programs for kids and teens of all ages.

• YMCA of the Suncoast

Enroll in a Summer Camp
Summer camps are a great way for kids and teens to stay active, make new friends and continue learning over the summer. There are a variety of summer camp programs in the Pinellas County area, but here are just a few to check out:

• Pinellas County Summer Camps 2012
   
• Tampa Bay Watch Summer Camps

• American Stage 2012 Summer Theater Programs
   
• City of Largo Summer Camp Programs

• Clearwater Marine Aquarium Summer Camp

Whether teens want to make the most of their summer by giving back to their community, making new friends or learning life skills, there are plenty of options in Pinellas County. LiveFree! is an organization focused on educating people about and ending substance abuse in Pinellas County. Our goal is to make the community a better place for us to live in and for our children to grow up in. Learn more about our goals by visiting us online.

Related Posts:
Making the Most of Your Study Session
Finding the Right Activities for Your Kids

The school year is made bearable by the reward of summer. Sweet summer. Freedom, fun—and sometimes—trouble. Make plans this summer that will put you on a path to success. There are many options for spending your summer in a positive way. Get your friends together and start now.

Volunteer: Not only will volunteering make you feel good about yourself, but colleges love to see that teenagers give back to their community. Pick your passion and find a place you can volunteer. If you love animals, the local shelter can always use a helping hand. The elderly and young children love to have visits from teenagers who can entertain them. If you want to be outside, join Habitat for Humanity and learn some practical skills building homes or playgrounds. Start at the local library if you need help finding a place to volunteer.

Work: Having your own money is a great feeling. You can learn to budget, save, and spend wisely. Check the mall, local restaurants, and even farms for a summer job. You can meet new people, earn money, and build your resume. Many career websites have a section to help teens find summer work. Babysitting and camp are great places to start if you’ve never worked before.

Play: Join a summer sports league. You can be part of a team, get fit, and let out your competitive side. Softball, beach volleyball, even kickball leagues are available to teens through churches, rec centers, and community centers or clubs.

Learn: Take a class in something. It doesn’t have to be academic. Try a cooking class to impress your next date or learn a new art technique. Become a rock star through music lessons. Kick butt in karate class. Join 4-H and raise your own farm critter.

Why: You only get one chance to be a teenager. You want to make the most of it. You may have friends who pressure you to try “fun” things that may be illegal or dangerous. Those friends will eventually look back and wish they’d done something special with their few teenage summers. Making the smart choice this summer will guarantee you awesome experiences and countless stories to tell your friends when you’re back in school.

Here are some great resources to check out:

YMCA Suncoast

WorkNet Pinellas

PTEC

Leadership Pinellas

Sources:

Pinellas School Age Programs

Operation Graduate program aims to put Pinellas County teens on path to success

Related Posts:

Making the Most of Your Study Session

Finding the Right Activities for Your Kids