Oak Brook offers summer teen service camp

Local teens will have service hours at their finger tips this summer thanks to a new program offered by the Oak Brook Park District.

From June to August, Tic Tac Toe, or T3 for short, will provide teens the opportunity to participate in up to seven service projects designed to positively impact the community.

T3 stands for Teens Impacting Communities, Teens Activating Citizens, and Teen Outreach and Empowerment.

"We know that there is a demand to fulfill service hours and we have the connections and the opportunities to help these kids reach their goals," said Karen Spandikow, the district's assistant director of recreation.

Program supervisor Amanda Piasecki said the service projects are designed to get teens out of their comfort zones and develop a broader world view. Piasecki has worked with organizations such as the Hinsdale Humane Society, Northern Illinois Food Bank and Project Linus to provide a diverse range of opportunities for teens to participate in productive work.

The seven-week camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 13 to Aug. 3. On Tuesdays, teens will complete necessary prep work and research at the Family Recreation Center, 1450 Forest Gate Road.

Projects will be completed on Thursdays at a different location each week.

Service projects will include reading to seniors and children, environmental cleanup and recycling, work with the Hinsdale Humane Society, and assisting with the Special Olympics. Participants may register week by week, or for the entire series.

"Flexible registration allows teens to sign up for projects they feel connected to, which will help them stay engaged," Piasecki said.

Registration for T3 will open on Monday, March 13, for residents and Monday, March 27, for others. Registration is $84 a week for residents and $109 a week for others.

For information, email Amanda Piasecki at apiasecki@obparks.org or visit obparks.org/recreation/camps.asp.