Kids can help with planting by volunteering at the Prospect Park Alliance throughout the summer.
Credit: Colourbox
If the thought of your kids or teens being home all summer is sending you into panic mode, stop stressing. Helping them find a volunteer opportunity orextracurricular activity will not only give them a reason to get out of the house, it will help them gain experience, make new friends and build confidence. And you get some peace and quiet. Here are a few ways you can keep your kids busy this summer:
Dr. Fairytale at Manhattan’s Galli Theatre
The Galli Theatre allows teens 16 and older to express themselves through theatre by teaching longstanding fairytale lessons to young cancer patients and their families. Volunteers lend a hand in costume and set design, music, stage lighting, directing and acting. For more information, visit the website or contact the theatre through galliny@gmail.com or (212) 731-0668.
Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threating medical conditions. The foundation offers various volunteer programs for teens looking to help make dreams come true for children in need of a little magic, such as helping raise money for the program. Call(516) 944-6212 x141 for all the details. For more volunteer opportunities, contact the general program through sjacobs@metrony.wish.org or (516) 944-6212 x130.
StreetSquash in Harlem
Ever heard of the racquetball-like sport called squash? StreetSquash is a youth enrichment program for everyone from elementary school kids to high school graduates. The program allows teens to learn and play squash in the summerwhile also offering mentoring programs, community service opportunities and college preparation sessions.
Tuesday Youth Corps in Prospect Park
Until mid-August, the Prospect Park Alliance will help teens take on various projects in the park from landscaping work like planting to creative activities like painting. Check the website for more details about upcoming volunteer sessions.
New York Public Library
Besides usual book shelving, the NYPL is offering volunteer programs for teens willing to help others learn a skill. Does your child have a knack for playing chess? Maybe he or she is tech savvy or know how to knit? If so, programs at the library’s various branches, such as Teen Tech, in the Bronx and lower Manhattan could use their help. If interested, emailvolunteer@nypl.org.
