Teen Recreational Programming
Beyond Fingerpaints & Popsicle Sticks
Page 3 of 4
Are there any crafts that will keep their
interest?
Think about these questions to warm up the old
frontal lobe. Is your teen program a drop-in site,
a day camp, a trip or activity oriented program -
what is the format? In other words, what do the
older kids want to do in your program and what can
you offer to them? What is your program timeframe
and how much money do you have to spend per craft
and overall for the summer? Again, your staff is
key. I've had teens make ice cream stick picture
frames (a fine third grade craft) just because the
staff member was cool in their eyes. Keep this
information in mind while you read the following
and develop your arts and crafts program.
Key Points to remember
about teens from my perspective:
- Teens want to fit in and be alike with their
peer group and yet still want to show their
individuality.
- They have become product oriented and want
items that are usable/functional, decorative and
"cool" but at times are still willing to play
with experimental ideas if they are presented in
a non-threatening and fun way.
- They now have better eye-hand coordination
than when they were children and are more
willing to spend time on crafts as long as they
can see it take shape and start to form
instantly before their very eyes. They can be
more patient with things they like but still
want instant gratification. Their bodies are
changing so rapidly that they can be 'awkward'
with some movements and yet have completely
fine-tuned motor skills for other tasks.
- Teens also like the element of potential
risk when it comes to doing something important
to them and yet want to be reassured that there
is someone there to help and listen , if need
be.
This is where you as a Teen Specialist come in.
You may ask, "How can I possibly follow these
points and succeed with them as they are contrast
so much? And, exactly what do they have in common
with Arts & Crafts?"
Elementary , My Dear Watson. They have everything
to do with Teens AND Crafts.
The points take into consideration the incredible
changes that teens experience physically,
emotionally and personally. They fluctuate minute
to minute on their needs and wants and desires.
What is my place in society? What will become of
the world? Will I ever get a boy(girl)friend? Am I
having a good hair day? They are their own
contrasts. Everything is taken seriously and
nothing is taken seriously. And it all matters is
RIGHT NOW!
But take into consideration, what is of vital
importance this week may be old news next. That's
the way for a teen to learn to make and balance his
or her life's priorities with what's really
important to him or her as a person.
Okay, now where do arts & crafts come in?
Teens need an outlet
for:
- Self expression & creative thinking:
They can pierce their body parts only so
much.
- Excess energy: They can shoot hoops only so
much.
And they don't have much money: They can
baby-sit and rake the leaves only so much. That and
you as the Teen Specialist are competing with CDs,
clothes, after school snacks, gas, car insurance or
family expenses like rent or putting food on the
table with any money that they do have.
Crafts can be a great way to channel these areas
into offering a non-threatening, positive self
enrichment program.
"Tradition" may not work anymore - There were some
great campcraft publications from the 1940's and
50's (long before liability problems), like the Ben
E. Hunt full color illustrated books on Indian Lore
and others mostly created for the Boy Scout crowd.
I loved them. They always started out with some
wild directions like, "First, give every child an
ax." Now, I can't quite picture these kind of
projects today what with paranoid or at least
concerned Risk Managers or Administrator-types,
some rightfully so. Also, with the different levels
of maturity within this age group, lack of concern
over their own and other's mortality and the fact
that some of the teen population has become
involved with socially inappropriate behavior such
as drugs, guns and gangs, how comfortable is
everyone with handing out knives, hammers and blow
torches?
I think that it's still important to consider at
least some projects that challenge teens right off
the bat. Get to know your group and introduce sure
winners that take a short time to complete and have
the "cool" factor. Once they appreciate the
creative process, then they are more willing to try
something more foreign to them. Teens do want risk
and challenge, so using potentially dangerous tools
is appealing to them. I cannot express enough the
importance, though, of being thorough in teaching
and enforcing safety practices. Even if this means
stopping craft time because someone jokes about
sniffing the glue or makes an unsafe movement with
a whittling knife.
Give the People What They Need
I'll give you one remembrance. I took drawing,
painting, and ceramics for my first two years of
high school, not because I considered myself
artistically inclined (unfortunately I'm still
not), but because it sounded like more fun than the
few other electives available. The teacher didn't
grade me very highly on the artistry of the
projects I turned in, rather, on my effort. At the
end of my sophomore year, he invited me to be his
Teacher's Assistant. I really felt honored and
needed. He chose me because of my diligence in
getting assignments done. I was the also only one
from all of his classes that was willing to get
messy and make the various glazes. To create these
glazes I precisely measured out various powders
with names that ended with -oxide and -esium. Then
I added water to be stirred up which was the
equivalent of adding water to cement and expecting
it to mix. In fact, I found the best way to mix the
glazes was to get in and mix them with my hands
until the lumps were dissolved. My point in
bringing this up is to search out in your programs
not just those students who are the best artists
and creators but also those that can be successful
in unforeseen areas. I was not the best ceramics
student but I was the best darn glaze mixer!
Arts & Craft
Ideas
Here are some arts & crafts project areas
to investigate for your group. There are MANY books
with complete details on how to create the projects
in these subject areas.
Fabric Arts
Tie-dye
Batik
Marbleizing
Puppetry
Dollmaking
T-shirt decorating/Fabric Painting/Photo
Transfers
Needlepoint
Sewing
Quilting
Knitting
Latchhook
Crochet
Cross stitch
Embroidery
Plastic canvas
Painting & Printing Crafts
Stenciling
Large Murals
Silkscreen
Printmaking with wax, wood, linoleum
Paper Crafts
Collage
Paper Maiche
Papermaking
Origami
Drawing & Painting
Cartooning
Stationary
Rubber Stamp Art
Rubber Stamp Making
Postcards
Book covers & Bookmarks
Woodworking
Decoupage
Woodburning
Picture Frames
Metalworking
Tinpunch
Copperfoil
Wax, Plaster & Sand Projects
Candlemaking
Sandcasting
Sandpainting
Plastercrafts/Resin
Ceramics
Claywork
Enamel
Tilework
Mosaics
Sculpture
Weaving
Basket Weaving
Macrame
Looming
Friendship Bracelets
Lanyards
Glass & Rock Projects
Lapidiatry / Rock Tumbling
"Petroglyph" / Rock Painting
Stained Glass
"Lead" & Painted Glass
Suncatchers
Jewelry Making
Necklaces/ anklets/ earrings / bolo
ties/pins
Beading
Friendly Plastic
Fimo
Leathercraft
Key Chains
Wallets
Nature Crafts
Terrariums
Wreathes
Flower Arranging
Potpourri
Pressed Flowers
Miscellaneous Arts & Crafts Projects
Photography
Videotaping
Taxidermy
Christmas Ornaments
Musical instruments
Dollhouse miniatures
Model cars
Model railroads
Maskmaking/Costumes
Set Design
Props
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