School's out, so why not take advantage of your months of freedom with summer adventures for older teens?
Potential Summer Adventures for Older Teens
Road Trip
It's a classic American summer activity - load up the car, grab your friends, and see where the road takes you. If you like themes, center your trip around a goal like visiting a certain number of states, riding all the best roller coasters, or visiting major league baseball stadiums. For a day or a weekend trip, be a tourist in your own state. The travel and the memories you make along the way are more important than the final destination.
Employment
Why not earn a little money while enjoying your summer adventure? Teen summer travel jobs will give you more to write home about then three months of bagging groceries at your local store. The most common jobs for teens include working at amusement parks, camps, and national parks.
Camp
Even a structured activity like camp can offer a chance for adventure. No matter what your interest, from sports to religion to the arts, there's a camp with a relevant focus. Many camps are held on college campuses, offering attendees a sneak peek at college life and a chance to try living on your own for a few weeks. Check with your school counselor or coach for local programs of interest. You can also visit Peterson's for a comprehensive directory of camps.
Outdoor Adventures
The outdoors can be a great source of summer adventures for older teens. Keep it simple by hiking through local nature preserves or traveling to the nearest river for a canoe trip, or take part in an organized expedition for something a little more daring. There are several companies offering adventure travel for teens:
- Apogee plans backpacking, biking, and rafting trips for teens.
- ActionQuest takes a more water-based approach, with sailing, scuba diving, and marine biology programs.
- Wilderness Ventures combines outdoor activities with leadership skills for a non-traditional camp experience.
Getting Your Parents On Board
While you're ready for a summer adventure, your parents might need some convincing. Take the following steps to help get them on your side:
- Show you can be trusted to make the right decisions. If you've just been busted for drinking at a party, why would your parents trust you to spend a weekend camping with your friends?
- Do your homework. If you're interested in adventure travel groups, make sure the company is reputable. If you want to work at an amusement park, research the job responsibilities, the cost of room and board, and the work schedule. If you're going on a road trip, create a sample itinerary and budget.
- Be ready to foot the bill. If the camp of your dreams is expensive, your parent may be more willing to let you go if they don't have to pay for it. Offering to pay your own way also shows maturity.
- Plan for safety. Show your parents they won't have to worry about your well-being. From bringing sunscreen and life jackets on a boating trip to having a list of emergency contacts, small things can lead to great peace of mind.
- If they say no, accept it graciously. This is not the time to have a screaming tantrum. Outbursts and pouting won't change their minds, but they will make them question your maturity. There's always next summer, and you want to leave a favorable impression to help future requests.
