14 yr old wants to do nothing

[Anonymous]

He is working for 5 weeks as a camp counselor. He is going to a sports camp for a week. One week at the beach. That's it.

[Anonymous]

It is a good age to gain some basic certifications as in CPR, First Aid, Swimming Skills and possibly Life Guard or Swim Instructor certification which may be used in other jobs as an older teen. Depending on their interest if good with computers, perhaps taking a workshop to gain proficiency in certain computer skills. I would also second the idea of volunteering as a way to have some structured time and an independent reference beyond school, church or community social or rec groups. It will also help them learn the "soft skills" any job entails.

Another idea for a young teen with the interest might be to volunteer as a mentor to a younger child with special needs. It might be really helpful to a family and give the young teen a unique experience in many ways. For our youngest daughter, I used just such 12-15 year olds to enable her to take a one week cooking class, to be a junior hospital volunteer once a week and her oeer mentor went a second day on her own, and also volunteering at lunch time at a senior day program weekly.