By Tina Jenkins Bell
BAPA School Liaison
Summertime is here, complete with its camps and activities primarily for kids under age 12. What about teens? Parents everywhere shudder at the shrug of their teenaged child who claims to have nothing to do. I do not have a cure for this folks, but I do have some suggestions for responses.
Things for Teens to Do in Beverly/Morgan Park
Volunteer for BAPA. From Weeding Wednesdays to Porch Concerts, BAPA needs youth volunteers to help at events and festivities. bapa.org/support.
Check out events and activities at the Beverly Arts Center. thebeverlyartscenter.com.
Visit the Beverly and Walker branches of the Chicago Public Library to discover surprising activities for teens. chipublib.org
Sign up for BAPA’s Teen Corps Board, a group charged with creating youth-led volunteer opportunities and partnering with area community organizations. This fall, the group will recruit teen artists or the arts-minded to create mixed media art for the Beverly Art Walk. Interested? Contact me at tbell@bapa.org.
Volunteer at Beverly Area Arts Alliance events. beverlyarts.org
Contact Tim Noonan at 19th Ward Mutual Aid to help migrants sheltering at the 22nd District Police Station. Teens can make sandwiches, take blankets, become translators, and write about their experiences for The Villager. facebook.com/19Aid
Help with weeding, planting, and seeding at the Edna White Community Garden. facebook.com/groups/221301244573122.
Contact your school to help with clean-ups and gardening.
Brush up on Beverly/Morgan Park community history at Ridge Historical Society. ridgehistory@hotmail.com.
See what’s brewing at Kroc Center Chicago. kroccenterchicago.com.
Reserve open skate time at the Morgan Park Sports Center, 11505 S. Western. 773-840-4622.
Want to staycation or be an at-home tourist for the day? Check out visitchicago.com for myriad activities that teens will appreciate.
Hats off to MPA!
Morgan Park Academy’s Class of 2023 went out in style at the school’s 150th commencement on June 10. MPA students gained admission at schools including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Cornell University, Washington University in St. Louis, University of Notre Dame, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Michigan, University of California at Berkeley, University of California at Los Angeles, Emory University, Howard University, University of Southern California, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wellesley College, Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Tufts University.
“Morgan Park Academy students are able to find a great school that’s the right fit, because our small class sizes allow us to give students individualized attention through a four-year college counseling program,” said Head of School Mercedes Z. Sheppard.
1st Graders Show They Care
First graders at Queen of Martyrs School students recently visited and conversed with residents at Mercy Circle’s assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing care communities on 99th Street. Students created artwork for and played games with the resident with whom they were paired.
“Mercy Circle opens its doors to give our young students an opportunity to learn how being kind and loving is a wonderful way to live. Everyone got an A+,” said teacher Lisa Gagner. “I’m looking forward to introducing my new class of 1st graders so they can spend time with residents at Mercy Circle in the fall.”
Learn more about Mercy Circle, 773-253-3600 or MercyCircle.org.
That’s It, That’s All
Have a joyous and wonderful summer!
