Help your teen choose a camp that best fits his or her personal interest, such as sports, drama, art or academics. Camps are an invaluable experience that helps your child gain new friends, heightens talents and interests and may strengthen the bond they have with you. Encourage them to get a summer job. Work is a way to build character, enhance intellectual development and social skills and teach responsibility. More than half of all American teens work.
Some teens do it to help the family, and most do it to have their own money to spend.
Although summer jobs are great, teens should recognize that they're more than what they earn and buy. They have talents and skills to offer their community, which leads to the third suggestion of volunteering. Urge them to volunteer. There are many places in the community that need help. Volunteer work enables young people to work to address community issues.