Survey Determines Choices are Few for Teen Weekend Activities
A recent survey of 16 businesses/organizations and 11 churches, sponsored by Talbot Partnership, determined that there are limited choices for safe, supervised teen activities for groups over 30 on weekend nights Talbot County. The survey was conducted by a group of parents and students who wanted to know what activities existed in the county for the approximately 1,600 high school students.
Karen Fisher of Easton, a member of the parent/student group that conducted the survey, comments, “We determined that there truly aren’t enough community-sponsored activities for high school age students on Friday and Saturday nights. On a positive note, however, the survey revealed that there is interest from community groups in providing youth activities, but many of these organizations don’t know what type of activities to offer and need youth and parent guidance in developing programming.”
The only regular weekly activities currently offered in Talbot County drawing 30 or more teens a night are going to the movies, bowling, socializing with friends at Coffee East in Easton, or attending seasonal sports events. While churches are doing their part, with most sponsoring youth activities, the number of teens participating is small.
One successful event, Battle of the Bands at Easton High School, grew out of the teens’ desire to plan something that a large number of teens could attend. The event, sponsored by Easton High School Sophomore Student Government Association (SGA), drew over 250 teens. According to Cat Kearney, a junior at Easton High School, “We decided when Sts. Peter and Paul High School couldn’t do it last year that we would do it as a fundraiser for the SGA. Our biggest obstacle was finding the police manpower to provide the security.”
Kearney persevered with her classmates, as well as several parents, and sought funds from Talbot Partnership to help fund a police officer and security officer for the event, which were required to hold an event at the high school. The Talbot County Sheriff’s Department assisted in locating an off-duty police officer to provide security for the event. She said that the process really helped improve collaboration among agencies to make something like this happen.
Kearney adds, “It was great to finally have an event without drugs and alcohol where students could just have fun. We were pleased by the number of people that came and made about $900 for the SGA. Plus, it showed the school that an event like this is possible to do without any problems occurring.”
Because of the event’s success, Kearney says that a number of students have formed bands and the SGA hopes to hold another event for this year.
Fisher and other parents hope that the community will come together with the students to plan future events of this kind. The committee found that there are available options to explore that are already in place in Talbot County, like the Battle of the Bands, however, local organizations need to get organized to help teens plan them.
If you are interested in helping organize a committee to support local organizations in this effort, call Talbot Partnership at 410-819-8067.
