Numbers at Teen Scene Are Down

The Parks and Recreation Department has a program for teenagers every Friday night where they can hang out with friends and develop social skills while having fun.

The program is called Teen Scene and it runs every Friday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. from September to May at the .

This past week, children were playing basketball in the gym, rocking out to "Guitar Hero" and conversing while they watched "Family Guy."

"It's a nice break for the parents," said Rocky Hill Recreation and Senior Coordinator Cathy Sylvester. "It is a safe place for kids to be. I would send my child here."

About 18 years ago, high school and middle school teenagers needed a safe place where they could socialize with friends without their parents. So the Parks and Recreation Department created Teen Scene.

"We saw that there was a gap," Sylvester said.

Sylvester feels the program offers students the opportunity to socialize in a loose environment and “feel their oats.”

“It’s gotta be their place,” she stated.

Over the years, the program has gone through many changes and about 16 years; high school students were dropped from the Teen Scene. A few years ago, Rita Chhabra got involved in the program and brought several new ideas with her, Sylvester said

"We haven't changed the concept," she said.

Students are also asked to make suggestions to the staff on what programs they would like to see added to Teen Scene.

However, the program's numbers are down from previous years, Sylvester said. Last year, there was an average of 60 kids attending Teen Scene and this year, the numbers are down to between 30 to 40 a night. Sylvester believes many of the middle school students are involved in several activities and are too busy for Teen Scene.

"Kids are spread thin," she added.

The Teen Scene offers the following activities.

• Basketball
• Wii Games (games are provided, but children can bring their own.)
• Ping Pong
• Billards
• Television
• Foosball
• Air Hockey
• Dodge Ball
• Kick Ball 
• Skee Ball

Snacks are available for purchase at Teen Scene.

The program also has several field trips planned in the coming months.

• Ice Skating at the Newington Arena - February 
• Hip-Hop Dance - March
• - April 
• Cookout wit hotdogs and Hamburgers - May

There are at least five staff members, which are mix of adults and high school students, on at all times, Sylvester stated.

Parents must buy the teen scene access pass for $20 and then their child can attend Teen Scene for $3. The pass also allows the students to go on field trips for discounted rates.

For more information on Teen Scene, please call the Parks and Recreation office at 860-258-2726.