With all of a teenager's energy, it's no surprise that constructive ways need to be found to channel it. Every summer the news documents incidents of crowds of teenagers, with little to do, who exercise bad choices by joining in mob actions that are often destructive, and sometimes dangerous. Fortunately however, there are regional, national and even worldwide summer community service programs with leadership committed to helping teens get involved doing things to help others as they are helped to grow and mature.
Preparing for the Future by Developing a World View
Helping teenagers to understand that being responsible extends beyond themselves is one part of good summer community service programs. It's easy for a teen to become self-absorbed. Unfortunately, it's a natural extension for someone who hasn't had to deal with any real responsibilities for their whole life. That's where summer community service programs give teens the ability to learn that humanity often needs them to look beyond their needs and look to the needs of others. These programs allow the teen to develop relationships with a team of volunteers and with others beyond their own borders, and from that they can realize that, if by no other way, every human and every community is attached by our connection to this planet. Being able to contribute to a global community, teens can expand their own horizons and reach a changed perspective of the world and those who live in it.
Developing as an Individual and a Team Member
It's important to realize that in the program our individual acts make a difference; however, working with a summer community service program and with a team, a person can learn that the community is capable of so much more than a single person working towards the same goal. The benefits of teamwork and what can be accomplished enhance the larger community. And they can also learn that, at times, an individual's positive efforts inspire the entire community because good works can be contagious. That's because they often learn that the first step to success comes from simply getting started. After the start is made, others are encouraged to contribute their efforts as well. The teenager can both grow as an individual, and also leave with a huge sense of achievement for what they and their team accomplished.
Memories for a Lifetime
As a trip that will be remembered as the experience of a lifetime, being a part of summer community service programs enables teens to be involved in a truly memorable trip. Not only will they have built friendships with those on their team but with those who their team interacted with during the program. They will come to know the people whose lives they have impacted, and will return home a more confident global citizen. The teenager may also develop a greater respect for the world in which we live and the things that they hold important in their life.
Learn that we spread our legacy through the works we offer when we offer to assist others is an invaluable lesson with youth development programs. It's in this way that we pay it forward.
A great way for your teens to learn leadership skills and other valuable lessons is by getting involved in community summer programs. Terry Galloway knows that going to youth development programs every summer means teens can be involved by helping those that need it.
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