The Lakes Area Youth Service Bureau is currently promoting a variety of free summer programs and volunteer opportunities for teens. Offerings range from gardening club, horseshoe league, camp GAP, and Forest Lake Safety Camp, to Youth Advisory Board.
Gardening Club is for students in grades 5-12 on select Mondays from June to August at LAYSB, 244 N. Lake St., Forest Lake. Learn from master gardeners about a variety of gardening topics including planting flowers and vegetables, soil prep, pollination and more.
Youth in kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to Youth Horseshoe League on Tuesdays throughout the summer at Forest Lake VFW Post 4210. Kids will be competing against others in their skill level. The first night consists of instruction and practice.
Camp GAP, for students ages 12-17, involves a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to work at retail stores, such as GAP. From customer service to processing shipments, youth will learn a variety of job-readiness skills. The camp is Wednesday, June 17 at the North Branch GAP retail store. Space is limited.
Teens finishing 7th-12th grades are needed as junior counselors at Forest Lake Safety Camp. Be a leader and play with campers during free time. Volunteers also get free lunches and a T-shirt. Camp is June 16-17 at Southwest Junior High School. Kids entering 2nd-5th grades may participate.
Project Team is for youth in grades 7-12 who are interested in making their community a better place through unique volunteer opportunities in their town. This is a year-round activity at various locations in the Forest Lake area.
Job Connection is a referral service that links job-seeking youth ages 12-17 with adults age 55-plus or disabled in the community who are in need of help with common home chores. Both youth and adult workers are wanted. This is a year-round activity at locations in the Forest Lake area and across Chisago County.
Youth Advisory Board consists of students in 7th-12th grades who wish to make a positive impact on their community and gain leadership skills. Teens plan service projects and community events at monthly meetings.
For more information on any of these programs, visit www.ysblakesarea.org or contact Jenna Jones, youth enrichment manager, at 651-464-3685 or Jenna.Jones@ysblakesarea.org.