Summer is prime time for teens to recharge and explore without the pressure of keeping their grades up. Here’s how to help them find the sweet spot between fun and focus, chill and challenge, and self-discovery and social growth.
PASSION PROJECTS
Rather than expecting your teen to be constantly “productive,” encourage them to pursue their passions for the pure pleasure of it. Take the Lalani family. Kim and Al’s son, Ajay, loves writing and movies. At 14, he penned a script, recruited friends as actors, and enlisted his brother, Austin, for stunts. “We gave them money for props and they spent weeks planning the one-day shoot and backyard screening. They learned teamwork and budgeting, and had a blast,” says the Piscataway mom, adding the experience fueled Ajay’s ambition of becoming a screenwriter.
CAMPS, CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
If your teen likes structure, try programs that combine discovery and skill-building in an organized way. Day and away camps abound for every interest. The Montclair Film Summer Academy includes a workshop where students in grades 9 to 12 create their own mini movies. Montclair Art Museum’s SummerART program gives teens (ages 13-17) a chance to explore traditional fine arts and digital design.
Career-minded teens find inspiration in resources like Yes, M.I.S.S. Inc. (YMI). Founder Shanita Perdomo says, “Our free program connects teen girls to female professionals who motivate and mentor them toward their dreams.” Saniyah Orr of Hackensack, a freshman at Ramapo College studying computer science, first joined YMI at 14, participating in company tours, college visits and career workshops. She credits YMI with giving her a look into what’s possible, and the tools and confidence to pursue her goals.
Rising seniors can apply to Princeton University’s free Summer Journalism Program, an immersive crash course in newsroom life. STEM lovers can explore coding, robotics, or AI through NJIT’s Center for Pre-College Summer Program.
WORK IT!
Jobs, internships and volunteer gigs are more than résumé boosters. “They let teens ‘try on’ different careers,” says Kari Solomon, owner of Montvale-based Aspire Résumés. She speaks from professional and personal experience: Her son started as an unpaid intern with the Rockland Boulders baseball team, later earning a paid position that sparked his interest in an arena management career. Her daughter joined a town committee as a teen; now she consults on flood-planning projects.
Teens can “test drive” possible paths—while getting paid—through:
- Student Conservation Association’s Urban Green Program, Newark: Teens earn paychecks for environmental jobs.
- Focus NJ Summer Youth Program, Monmouth County: Paid local job placements blend learning and earning.
- Project Self-Sufficiency, Sussex County: Paid job training for high school sophomores and juniors.
“Summer experiences don’t have to be full-time or in an office to make a big impact; they should be fun, too,” Solomon says. Her son loved his internship because it combined his passion for sports with a lively, social environment. “He wasn’t thinking about a career. It grew organically from something he enjoyed.” Likewise, her daughter, a theater and dance fan, thrived as a local theater camp choreographer.
ENTREPRENEURIAL ENERGY
Some kids don’t just want a paycheck; they want to build something of their own. Kearny teen Nick Drollinger loves designing and selling Jersey-themed T-shirts. “His creativity and hard work shine through in every stitch,” says his mom, Allison.
Experts say side businesses like Nick’s can be crash courses in creativity, marketing and money management. They can also ignite an enduring entrepreneurial spirit.
MIND, MOOD & MEANING
Summer offers space to nurture emotional resilience and growth. At Allendale’s Unbridled Heroes Project, equine-assisted therapy—healing through horses—helps teens rein in anxiety and trauma. Additionally, animal-loving teens can volunteer to care for the nonprofit’s rescue mustangs. Former broadcast journalist Gina Fata, based in Parsippany, helps shy or self-conscious teens find their voice through public speaking and confidence training.
HEART IN ACTION
Volunteering supports purpose without the “achievement treadmill” feeling. It feels good, too. At Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, teens assist with youth programs and camps while earning service hours. LifeTown in Livingston pairs teens with kids who have special needs in music, sports, and social activities. Mercer County’s Youth Volunteer Connection through the Hamilton YMCA links teens to counselor and/or community projects. Teens can intern at New Jersey Angels in Jackson, which supports foster youth and families; or Ridgewood Social Service Association, a food distribution center serving six towns.
BALANCING ACT
The best summers mix fun, learning and downtime. At 18, Ylia Thumann of Woodbridge taught STEM classes at NYU through Lavner Education—“it was rewarding, and I got paid,” she says—and enjoyed her off-time crafting holiday gifts for family. Her approach proves productivity and creativity can coexist.
To help your teen strike that balance:
- Set a rhythm, not a schedule. Maybe work three days, volunteer one, and save one for adventures.
- Go screen-smart. Swap scrolling for hikes at Watchung Reservation or Ocean City beach days.
- Recharge daily. Journaling, music, and downtime helps reset minds.
FAMILY MATTERS
Teens crave independence and connection. Keep it low-pressure: think family field trips to Thomas Edison National Historical Park in West Orange, or simply chatting about their projects over dinner.
“Ask your teen what matters to them,” Perdomo says. “When I was in foster care, no one asked me that. I missed out on summers where I could have explored entrepreneurship or creative outlets.” Her advice: “Make your kid a boss. Even for a day, let them choose activities that serve them, their family, and their community.”
Be their coach. Celebrate effort, encourage exploration, and remember—summer isn’t just a break. It’s a bridge to who they’re becoming. With the right mix of freedom, fun, and purpose, your teen will head into fall not only rested, but ready.
– Nayda Rondon is a lifestyle, wellness and parenting writer, a children’s book author and a Hillsdale mom.
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