Middle School Summer Survival Tips!!!

1. Middle School Summer Survival Tips!!! Presented by: Allen ISD Middle School Counselors

2. Suggestions: Keep Bedtimes Consistent- It is OK for kids to stay up a little later than normal, but try to keep bedtimes within an hour of normal so that their schedule is not thrown off to much. Serve meals at times the kids are used to eating Get Outside!!- Don’t let kids spend all day on game systems, computers, cell phones, or watching TV. Make a schedule and stick to it as much as possible. Make sure kids are supervised- Middle school kids tend to get into trouble if they have too much free, unsupervised time.

3. Alert! Alert! • Do you know what your teenager is doing? Do you really?? • No matter how smart your child is, studies of the developing brain of teenagers have repeatedly revealed that the adolescent brain is hard-wired for pursuing thrills and sensations, both good and bad. So all teens are at risk for recklessness and no time is more risky than summer time. • Let’s get real… Many teens lie about their whereabouts and activities- make sure you know where your child is and who they are with! • Risky behaviors that many teens experiment with include: • Drugs and Alcohol • Sex • Making cyber friends and giving away too much info. • Dangerous recreational activities- not wearing a helmet, swimming unsupervised, etc.

4. FUN ALLEN ACTIVITIES FOR YOUR TEEN! Allen USA Celebration FREE - Saturday, June 25 at 4 p.m. Celebration Park The Kids Zone hosts a multitude of bounce houses and play structures for children to enjoy. A brand new Cabela’s Zone will feature amazing, interactive outdoor stations, including fishing and archery. The Kid Kraft Tent provides fun and exciting crafts for children and youth of all ages. The refreshing Spray Ground will be the place to beat the heat. This year our Main Stage and Community Stage will be rockin’ like always One of the largest fireworks shows set to music. And did we mention…admission is FREE!

5. Free Summer Concerts: • Live on the Green at Watters Creek Free Concerts – Thurs, Fri & Sat - Village Green @ Watters Creek, Allen • Groovin' on the Grove @ The Village at Allen Free Concerts every Saturday night through summer

6. Allen Parks and Recreation The 14th Annual Summer Sounds Concert Series Where:JoeFarmerRecreationCenterAmphitheatre Cost: All Summer Sounds concerts are FREE When: Monday nights @ 7 PM May 16th- Hunter Sullivean- Traditional Band May 23- Havana NRG!- Latin May 30- Allen Philharmonic Orchestra and Symphony Chorus **Patriotic - including a Firework Finale June 6- GOODnGONE- Country June 13- FastLaneEagles- Tribute Band June 20- Signed Sealed Delivered-Top 40

7. Parks and Recreation Continued… • Visitor Center Lock-In • Cost: $20 members / $25 non-members • Age: 8-18 years • Instructor: VC Staff • Location: Great Room/TEVC • This fun-filled night is one you and your friends do not want to miss. From video game tournaments and movies to dodge ball, you’ll be up all night! • Concessions will be available and meals will be provided. • 32013, Fri, 6/17, 11:00PM-7:00AM • 32014, Fri, 7/15, 11:00PM-7:00AM • 32015, Fri, 8/19, 11:00PM-7:00AM

8. Saturday Rec N Roll Pool Party • Cost: $7 for pre-registration / $11 with party pack / • $8 for walkup fee day of event • Age: 8-13 years • Location: Ford Pool • Join the Saturday Night Rec N Roll crew for summer fun at Ford Pool. • This party will have the same fun as Rec N Roll only poolside. • Including DJ, dancing, games and of course swimming. • Concessions will be available. • Onsite supervision will be provided. • For more information call 214.509.4790. • 31725, Sat, 7/16, 2:00PM-6:00PM

9. Family Night @ The Edge Skate Park • Cost: FREE • Age: 1-14 years • Instructor: VC Staff • Location: Skate park/TEVC • Families will be able to enjoy the skate park as well as the Visitor Center amenities (game room, media room and computer lab) free from older kids. • Children must be accompanied by at least one parent or adult. • 32515, Fri, 6/24-6/24, 6PM- 8PM • 32516, Fri, 8/12-8/12, 6PM- 8PM

10. Teen Dive-In Movie • Ages & Cost: $5 for 10-17 years • Location: DRN • Grab your swim suit and towel to join us at the Don Rodenbaugh • Natatorium for a dive-in movie. • Come to swim and be entertained by one of the latest movies! • Concessions will be available. • Tubes and noodles available for rent. • 32383, Fri, 7/15, 8:30PM-11:00PM • Other fun Parks and Recreation Courses for your teen: • Film Making – The Art and Science- Cost: $148 / $245-Age: 9-15 years • First Tee of Greater Dallas- Cost: $40- Age: 7-17 years • 3-Day Camp and Rock Climbing- Cost: $118- Age: 10 years+ • 5-Day Summer Wilderness Expedition –Ouchita National Forest- Cost: $398- Age: 12-17 • American Red Cross – CPR & First Aid- Cost: $35 members/$40 non-members- Age: 12+ • Babysitting with Cross Lifeline- Cost: $60- Age: 10-17 years • Video Game Design- Cost: $163- Age: 10-17 years • Exercise Classes

11. Something Different!! ORCHARDS& FARMS:(Pick your own Fruit, Veggies or Flowers) ARLINGTON: Gnismer Farms - Pick your own berries - 817-469-8704 BALCH SPRINGS:The Merry Berry Farm – pick your own blackberries. Open: Mon & Thurs @ 5pm - 8pm; Sat @ 8am - 12pm. Phone: 972-286-2287. ROANOKE:Henrietta Creek Farms – Pick your own apples, peaches and veggies. Open Daily July - October @ 9am - 4pm – Call 817-439-3202 FARMERSVILLE:RJR Farms – pick your own veggies! Open Sat, Sun, Mon @11am - 8 pm. Call 214-542-7866. GAINESVILLE:Red River Peach Orchard – Pick your Own Peaches starting June 17th! Farm open 8am - 1pm Thurs, Fri & Sat. $1.50/lb. Pack a lunch for a picnic, they provide free lemonade. Call: 940-612-2600. Lavender Ridge Farms – Pick your own veggies! Farm open Fri – Sun @ 9am – 5pm. Call: 940-665-6938. SANGER:Duck Creek Blackberry Farm – pick your own blackberries - $15/gallon! Open Tues @ 6pm – 8pm & Sat @ 7am - Noon; Call 940-458-3217 SADLER: (north of Gainesville, south of Oklahoma)The Berry Patch - Pick your own berries! We'll provide a gallon container for you to use while you pick. 903-564-6228

12. KIDS SUMMER MOVIES: Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse – Only $1/show at the box office or $10/5 shows purchased in advanceStudio Movie Grill kids summer movies – only $1/kids; $2/adults Family Movie Night at The Village at Fairview, Allen – Free Movies – 1st Saturday of the month Free Teen Movies – Saturdays in June & July @ Allen Public Library Dive-in Movies @ Hawaiian Falls throughout summer. See our event calendar for listings. Movies in the Square – Free Movies Friday Nights-June & July @ Frisco Square

13. SUMMER READING PROGRAM:(Don’t let reading get rusty over the summer!) Half Price Books - all kids 14 and younger can earn a FREE $3 gift card each week by reading for 15 minutes a day. Allen Student Police Academy http://youtu.be/8W01o-gPb40

14. Civil Air Patrol Would you like to honor and serve America? Do you want to prepare for your future while making new friends? Then rise to the challenge of cadet membership in the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol.Cadets fly, learn to lead, hike, camp, get in shape, and push themselves to new limits. If you’re dreaming about a career in aviation, space, or the military, CAP’s Cadet Program is for you. To become a cadet, you must be be between 12 and 18 years old.  Cadets meet 2 hours per week and one Saturday per month and also have opportunities to attend leadership encampments, career academies, and other activities during the summer. Local Programs: PLANO MUSTANGS COMPOSITE SQDN Unit Contact: Maj Peter H Boronkay Contact Phone: (972) 771-6784 THUNDERBOLT FLIGHT (Fairfield) Unit Contact: Capt Michael F Pezzulli Contact Phone: (469) 223-1000 FRISCO CADET SQUADRON Unit Contact: Maj Phyllis A Sutton Contact Phone: (972) 567-8951

15. DayJams- A different kind of camp!! DayJams is America's Original Rock Music Day Camp for beginners to experienced players ages 8-15. Every week at camp you will: Camp Hours: Monday - Friday 9am-5pm Location: John Paul II High School900 Coit Rd.Plano, TX 75075 Dates: June 13th - June 17th June 20th - June 24th Cost: $545 /wk Contact # 1-800-295-5956

16. Allen Public Library Teen Programs Summer Reading Program- read to earn rewards Teen’scape- a retreat-like environment that includes individual listening stations, comfortable chairs and furnishings, and reading and audio selections specific to teen interests.  They also offer all types of programs and activities such as teen author presentations, mystery plays, movie series, and special demonstrations. Young Adult Writers' Alliance- If you like to write and want feedback on your writing skills, consider joining YAWA. Meetings every Tuesday, 4-6 p.m. at the library. The group is open to ages 13 to 18. Teen Programs-TBA Teen Movies-TBA Teen Workshops-TBA http://www.cityofallen.org/departments/library/teen_programs/

17. The Allen Public Library Summer Teen Volunteer Program Our volunteers, called VolunTeens, help with the Children’s Reading Program and the Teen Reading Program by registering the nearly 3000 participants. Teens can also sign up to help with programs, crafts, and library assistance. Sign up starts on May 2nd. Teens must be 12 to 18 years old in June and July of 2011. Some positions require older teens. . Patrons can check the webpage for information: http://www.cityofallen.org/departments/library/teen_programs/volunteer.htm Applications will be available on the website and in the Children’s Library starting May 2nd. Children’s Library staff can accept applications starting May 2nd. Applications must be signed by the teen and the parent/guardian of the teen.

18. Teen Court Volunteer Opportunity Teen Court is a program authorized by the Texas State Legislature which allows teens to sentence other teens who have pled guilty or no contest to Class C misdemeanor (punishable by fine only) crimes. Allen's Teen Court offers opportunities for all types of students to get involved. Volunteers can serve as jurors, prosecuting attorneys, and defense attorneys. All of these roles are crucial to the administration of Teen Court. (Attorney volunteer positions require an application and training.) Benefits of Teen Court Develop critical thinking skills Learn to work as a team Develop public speaking skills Learn about criminal justice Meet many different people Earn community service Gain experience for college Teen Court is held at the Allen Municipal Court and it meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m. If you are interested in participating, please attend one of the court sessions for more information. You can also pick up an application or more information at the Municipal Court Front Office, or by calling 214.509.4393.

19. Other Teen Volunteer Opportunities Animal Shelter 214-509-4378 Community Services/Keep Allen Beautiful 214-509-4555 Allen Community Outreach 972-727-9131 Habitat for Humanity 972-398-0634 Heard Museum 972-562-5566 Victoria Gardens 972-727-5850 Allen Arts Alliance 972-727-7272 Habitat ReStore 972-424-0791 Volunteer McKinney Center 972-542-0679

20. Summary!! • Maintain schedules • Keep kids supervised • Get kids involved in activities/ camps/ sports • Get kids involved in volunteer work • Take advantage of free and low cost city activities • Schedule weekly family time Have a great summer!!!!!