There are plenty of fun, safe summer activities for teens
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

Sgt. Patti Salas with the Ventura County Sheriff's Department says that to keep teens out of trouble, parents should keep the young people busy with activities.

Summer is when teens have the most time on their hands.

"It's when they stand around with nothing to do that they find something to do, and that's not always positive," Salas said.

Teens and younger children can spend the summer as volunteers for a nonprofit or in camps and classes offered through park districts and community youth organizations.

For a listing of volunteer opportunities available throughout the county, ranging from caring for animals at a shelter to building houses for underprivileged families, check the United Way of Ventura County's website at www.volunteerventuracounty.org.

Simi Valley

Teenagers can take guitar, surfing, yoga or sign language classes through the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, which also serves the Oak Park area.

The district also has a yearround volunteer program for teens. Spokesperson Colleen Janssen said that about 65 percent of their 700 volunteers are teenagers. They help with office work, staff community events and assist class instructors.

Such community service looks good on college scholarship and admission forms, Janssen said, and helps fill in that vital experience section on job applications.

For more information on park district activities, call Janssen at (805) 584-4453.

The city also offers teens and young adults ages 13 to 22 free employment services and job skills workshops.

Call Samantha Argabrite at (805) 5224473 for an appointment.

Agoura Hills

From now through Aug. 24, children from 10 to 15 years old can take an adult-supervised field trip every weekday when they join the community services department's Adventure Club.

On Mondays, the children will go to Southern California amusement parks; Tuesdays, to the beach; and on Wednesdays, to a water park. Thursdays and Fridays are reserved for the movies, malls or other local offerings.

Children are welcome to attend the club as often as they like. On Mondays and Wednesdays, the cost is $45 a day and includes park admission. The cost is $35 a day for the rest of the weekdays. Transportation is included

The city also has volunteer opportunities for teenagers, who can assist instructors in sports classes and help out at special events, such as the concerts in the park.

In addition, Agoura Hills operates a shuttle service to Zuma Beach, which costs $1 each way and is available to people of all ages. Surfboards are welcome. For times and pickup locations, visit www.ci.agoura-hills.ca.us or call the Department of Community Services at (818) 597-7361.