Newburyport Has a Variety of Activities for Teens

It’s a constant harangue of “nothing to do, nothing to do” if you have a teenager you’ve heard it.  We’ve been hearing it for a long time in Newburyport, “there just isn’t enough for the kids to do in this city”.  The lack of activities for youth has been blamed for all sorts of mischief and even petty crimes, but that is all changing, as the city seems to now be over flowing with activities for kids to take advantage of.

Librarian for the Teen Loft, Andrea Bunker (far right) poses with members of her Teen Advisory Board

The Newbuyrport Public Library has been a flurry of activity especially since the hire of their new teen Librarian, Andrea Bunker.  Andrea came on board in June and since then has been busy gathering and implementing a variety of programs all to engage the city’s 7th-12th graders.  She has a Teen Advisory Board that helps drive the program development.  The 13 member board has been busy redesigning the teen loft with new paint and furniture, and setting up activities.  In March the Teen Loft is celebrating Teen Tech. Week (which was created by the American Library Association), they are having a gaming contest where teens can play Wii, Dance/Dance Revolution, or even Guitar Hero.  Most of the time the Library runs 3-5 programs a month and they range from movie nights to study sessions. The teens also volunteer within the community to run programs at the library for younger children such as a very successful Halloween party.  They are currently working on Earth Day programming and this summer they will be teaching basic computer skills to seniors.  Andrea who used to be a High School English teacher, said she is enjoying the job because it enables her to “work with teens to develop reading skills in a more recreational way and to foster their artistic development through a variety of programing”.

Beth Manning (center) poses with students at the Kelly School Drop in Center.

When The Kelly School closed it’s doors in the Spring of 2007 the neighborhood let out a collective sigh.  The school had been in continuous operation for over 100 years with its closing the  neighborhood seemed crestfallen and frankly a little empty.  Then in the Fall of 2009, the Kelly School Drop in Center opened.  Suddenly there was life back in the hallways and smiling faces filling the classrooms.

Run by Newburyport Youth Services, the Drop in Center boasts a membership of 37 students who regularly attend events and after school programing.  The Drop in Center is for Middle School students in grades 6-8th and director Beth Manning has designed a variety of fun activities to appeal especially to this age group.  There are comfortable sofas to spread out and relax and desks to get homework done.  There is also room for a bevy of activities such as yoga, hip hop dance, sewing, cooking, and painting.  About 1x a month Beth arranges a field trip field trip for the group.  They go swimming at the YWCA or head off to go climbing at Metro Rock, they’ve been skating at Graf Rink, and during school vacations have taken tubing trips to the Amesbury Sport Park.  Beth says “It’s been great working with Youth Services, I’ve really been blessed to be able to crate a fun and safe place for kids to come and grow.”  She added, “It’s great spend time with them like this and see them come into their own”.    

Youth Services also runs weekend programs for teens such as ski trips and Friday night dances and their every popular Girls Night Out at City Hall.  

In addition to great programs at the Library and The Drop In Center, The Parker River Refuge is also offering programs for Teens.  Check back next week for an article about all the Refuge has to offer for this age group.  

Newburyport Today lists all programs for youth on our Calendar.  Check it out and don’t believe your teen the next time they tell you there isn’t anything to do!