Young kids aren’t the only ones who get bored during the summer. Teens need options for engagement and enrichment while they’re on a break from school. A little bit of unstructured downtime is a great way to relax, but don’t let summer vacation turn into endless hours of screen time!
Give back to your community by looking for volunteer opportunities at Charleston-area nonprofits. The whole family can participate together, or teens can go on their own if the org
anizations are equipped to handle that. Search VolunteerMatch for local openings that match your teens’ interests and goals, or contact organizations that interest you or your family directly.
The Charleston area is home to a number of day and overnight camps. Most are designed for younger kids, but some have openings for teens–or even space for counselors, junior counselors, or helpers. Check out Lowcountry Parent’s interactive list or this list from Charleston Moms Blog to see if there’s one that fits.
Some other summer options:
- Trident Technical College – summer classes in various disciplines
- Charleston Southern University – summer music camps
- Coastal Expeditions – summer kayak camps
- The Charleston School District also has a list of summer educational programs, available here.
Summer jobs and internships are a great way to keep teens busy, but they’re not the only options, and often aren’t practical in this economy. Use these ideas to offer teens some structure during the summer, and don’t forget to come down to Charleston Fun Park for affordable family fun all summer long!
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