Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/the-applecorps-an-alternative-to-young-teens-home-alone/5018038/
Ten years ago when the first group of children aged out of the Applewood Learning Center’s school-age child care program, parents asked the program to find a way to serve their young teenage children so that they would not be left home alone for the summer. The teens had friendships based on many years together in the program, but were not eager to continue receiving ‘child care’ services. And they were not old enough to be hired by the center or other local employers and other opportunities in town for young teens were limited or non-existent.In the midst of a campaign to make the center more family-friendly, the director responded with a summer program for 14 and 15 year olds (which has grown to include 13 year olds) called AppleCorps. Teens volunteer in the program and parents pay a minimal fee to cover the cost of uniform shirts. It is a win-win-win-win for everyone:
n for the parents, having a safe place for their teens, not paying for care, and having one drop-off/pick-up location for the family;
n for the teens, being respected as volunteer staff, while staying in a comfortable and familiar place with their friends;
n for the center, having extra ...