[YL] attracting teens

[Chaffin, Linda]

  hi Matt - you are going to get so much info. back on this question!  Here
is my 2 cents --  look at the recent study released from MTV - I think it
was on this site yesterday- press the link to youth learn at the bottom of
this page for archives - it is the results of a very large survey and gives
lots of reasons for kids to get involved in activities -  

I am a little biased because I am a service-learning coordinator so...my
answer is:  engage youth by becoming actively involved in community
service-learning - they learn what needs to be done (meaningful need), how
to do it (authentic learning) and then get it done (youth planned community
service) with you as their partner ... is one of the best ways of keeping
youth involved -they learn to take initiative, work as a group and become
active citizens in finding solutions -  go to
http://www.service-learningpartnership.org  the national-service learning
partnership for more information than you ever hoped to have!!

Since you have a computer center - there is lots of work to be done around
keeping youth safe when navigating "my space" and other on line sites???

Probably the most important thing that you do as a staff is ask youth what
they are looking to do by coming to see you (beyond basketball) and make it
a happy, comfortable, safe place to be. Sorry if this sound too simple ---
sometimes we forget that teens really do want to spend time with caring
adults... Have a great summer!   Linda 

Linda Chaffin 
The School for Ethical Education
440 Wheelers Farms Road
Milford, CT 06460
(203) 783-4436
www.ethicsed.org


-----Original Message-----
From: youthlearn-bounces at milhouse.edc.org
[mailto:youthlearn-bounces at milhouse.edc.org]On Behalf Of
bigchainring at hotmail.com
Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2006 10:19 AM
To: youthlearn at milhouse.edc.org
Subject: [YL] attracting teens


hi there

I am working with a ymca teen center (that also has a computer lab).
They are brainstorming ideas to attract more teens.

Has anyone had success with attracting teens (with or without a computer
center)?
What are some reasons teens stay at your center?
Do you know any (recent) papers or web sites or books that talk about
this?

thanks.
matt


==================================
Matt Crichton
CyberY Developer
YMCA Boston/Training, Inc.
18 Tremont St.; Suite 400
Boston, MA  02108
617-542-1800 x32
mcrichton at ymcaboston.org
bigchainring at hotmail.com
Cyber Y: http://www.cyberyboston.org/
Personal: http://www20.brinkster.com/bigchainring/index.htm
AmeriCorps VISTA 2000-2002 (Seattle, Boston)

I did not know what to say,||
My mouth could not speak,||
My eyes could not see||
And something ignited in my soul,||
fever or un-remembered wings||
And I went my own way,||
Deciphering that burning fire||
And I wrote the first bare line,||
Bare, without substance, pure||
Foolishness, pure wisdom||
Of one who knows nothing,||
And suddenly I saw||
The heavens unfastened and open.||
Pablo neruda||


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