Berkeley Parents Network: After School for Teens

Berkeley Parents Network

After School for Teens

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > K-12 Schools > After School for Teens

Other Suggestions for Teens After School

Anyone have suggestions for things a 13-year-old boy can do after school that are interesting yet inexpensive? Or better still, any suggestions on jobs for a kid that age? He's pretty responsible, likes animals a lot & theater some, but is getting into the hanging out on the street scene a bit more than I'm comfortable with, so I'd like to find some other diversions for him at least a few afternoons a week. He goes to King Jr. High in Berkeley.

Thanks,
Patrick

Sept 1999

Can anyone suggest afterschool activities that might appeal to my 14-year son, a BHS freshman? Most of his interests seem to be ones for which there are no organized activities - rock music, computers, skateboarding. He is not into team sports, and though he has a YMCA membership, he greatly prefers hanging out with his friends after school to walking over to the Y. Hanging out isn't a problem yet, but I'm worried it could become one as the year progresses, and I can't really leave work every day to meet him at school and make sure he's not getting into trouble. Anyone know the status of the skateboard park the mayor was talking about for a while? Or have other suggestions that have worked for their kids? Thanks - "A mom"

First, did he asked you for ideas? Don't assume he wants them, if he didn't ask... Also, most teens put the highest priority on "hanging out" and socializing with their friends. This is normal and ok! Our teen hangs out with his friends all the time. We regularly have one or more stay for dinner so they can continue to hang out if there's no big homework required, and that way we get to know his friends too. They also play computer games together at our house, or go to the arcade. If your son is into computer stuff, there are plenty of interactive games he could be playing with kids/people who are friends from here and from all over the world (using the internet). (9/99)

Have you heard about Berkeley Bear Swimming? Its a private swim club for school-age kids, with structured workouts and competition. My 15 year-old daughter loves it. The high-school kids work out at West Campus after school and there is a group that takes the bus from BHS, so transportation is easy. You can get more info from the head coach, Daryn Glasgow, 925-299-9411, or the office manager Janice Price, 510-724-0529. There is a website (which is partially under construction) http://www.isbest.com/bears (9/99)

I have an 11 year old daughter who needs something to do after school too. She doesn't really need a caretaker and, being a single parent, I cannot afford expensive programs, but she is a little too young to stay alone. I was hoping to find someone who cares for small children to let her be a helper.That way she would gain supervised babysitting experience (she loves younger children), I would have somewhere for her to go after school, and the caretaker would have some assistance. Does anyone know anyone who might be interested in a situation like this?

Rain

This is always a tough one. There's lots for grade school kids and then the high school teens have their own school stuff. There's a real void for middle school teens. Some thoughts though are:

1. Young Actors Workshop (YAW) with Drama Dept. at Contra Costa College. It's free. The fall program has already started but keep an eye for their auditions in November. There's always some kids from King Jr. High who are in it and carpools are set up.

2. Berkeley YMCA - teen membership for $19/month. There's other sports activities too.

3. Edible Schoolyard at King. I am not sure if this is a class project or after school.

4. There are baseball and basketball teams around.

5. Bear Swim Team. After school every day from 4-5:15 PM at King Pool. No try outs.

6. Jobs: Mowing lawns, yard work, around the house helper.

7. King Jr. High will have some afterschool classes when their GATE program starts. It is open to all students.

Good luck!

Lisa

I suppose I should be completely hardened about this by now, but it still amazes me that communities worry and complain so much about teenage kids on the streets and yet continue to be unwilling to provide safe and fun afterschool activities for them. We were just discussing this at the office the other day--about how difficult afterschool care becomes during the middle school years. Two people in my office whose children just made the jump from elementary to middle school (thereby losing access to on-site afterschool programs) have reduced their time at work or otherwise arranged convoluted flex schedules in order to be at home with their kids because there are no accessible, affordable afterschool programs for 12-13-year-olds that don't involve a lot of chauffering on the part of the parents. Not everyone can exercise that type of option at their jobs. Enough griping--on to suggestions. The UC Village Community Center may have some afterschool activities for teens, if your son can get there easily. Is there any possibility of getting him involved in a volunteer capacity in a field that he likes (helping in a sports or arts program for young children, for example, or volunteering through the Senior Center to help elderly people with caring for their pets)? Best of luck!

Tamra

The Albany Recreation Center, at Marin and Masonic, next to the Albany Library, has some after school activities.

Lisa

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