School’s out. Parents all over Memphis are wondering what to do with their kids this summer. Fifteen-year-olds are looking for scarce jobs.  Some parents are looking too.

The question is what can kids do this summer.  Money is tight but opportunities abound.  

Here are some suggestions for getting a job, going to camp and volunteering.

Option 1:  Get A Job (Ages 15 and up)

With funding cut for the City of Memphis Summer Youth Employment Program and available slots already filled, it’s a good idea for young people to learn and practice the art of networking.

Who You Know Counts.   In your church, neighborhood and family circle, look for small business owners, entrepreneurs and corporate executives who might be willing to hire you to do the things that they just don’t have time to do.  These labor intensive tasks can include entering business cards or contacts into a database, organizing files, rearranging a storage room, and helping setup or maintain the company Web site. 

While you’re there, learn to answer the phone correctly, send faxes, use various software programs, such as Excel, effectively, interact with customers and find out how the business owner or corporate executive became who they are.  Be willing to work for minimum wage or just to learn, and you’ll have something to put on your resume and a work history. 

Be a helpful problem solver that adds value to the organization.  That means look for things you can do to help them and their office look and run ever better. Don’t gossip (even if the adults do) and don’t complain.  Be alert, energetic and enthusiastic.  Remember, if you do well, they will keep finding things for you to do.  Do poorly and you could be sent home the first day. 

Reinvent Yourself and Go Apply Where You’ve Applied Before.   You’ve put in several applications but haven’t got any call backs.  Call to find out if they’re still hiring.  Remember a lot of jobs have high turnover because young people work for a week or two, get their first check and then disappear (that’s a short-sighted and irresponsible approach to life and to handling a potential career). At any rate, the person they hired for the job you wanted may be long gone.  Go back, present yourself again.  This time dress the part for the job you want.  Smile.  Shake hands and look ‘em in the eye.  Put your best foot forward.

Do’s and Don’ts
— Dress as if you’re going to work for them that day.
Smile and establish a relationship by being interested in the company and the person who’s interviewing you. Ask questions and tell why you want to work at that company (use the WIIFT –what’s in it for them method).
— Do give a firm handshake while you’re making eye contact. 
— Do be charming.  Be prepared to tell them some of your accomplishments and also a little about your background. Nothing heavy – number of brothers and sisters, kind of work that mom and/or dad do, your school and future goals. 
— Don’t fib.  Falsehoods later come to mean you can’t be trusted.
— Don’t bring the drama or diva routine.  Leave it at the door.  You want to work and get paid — not let them know you’re hard to deal with, high maintenance and a whiner.  Employers hired people to solve their problems, not make problems for them.
— Do understanding that customers are the reason the company needs to hire employee so treat them like they’re important.  No customers equal no need for employees.
— Also, don’t go on job interviews with a friend or sibling.  If you do, behave as acquaintances rather than buddies.  Employers may be reluctant to cause friction in the relationship by hiring one or the other and hire neither or they may have concerns about maturity if you need a friend to hold your hand.
— Do dress appropriately.  Nothing sexy or too short.  Cover tattoos with long sleeves and pants, if possible.
— Do be well-groomed.  Look fresh and clean.

Use your network.  Ask your friends with jobs to keep you posted on openings at their company and ask them to recommend you.   If you’re not a good friend, don’t bother asking.  If they’re a good friend and you get the job, remember to work the job and not the relationship on company time.  In other words, save the personal discussions for when you’re off the clock.  Otherwise, you could both be out the door. 
Become an entrepreneur.  Go back to basics. 
— Baby-sit.
— Cut grass
— Throw newspapers
—  Do chores around the house.
— Ask parents and neighbors to let you repair, paint and fix up the houses,
garages, and yards for a fee.  Create a flyer on your computer and take
them around the neighborhood advertising your skills.  For big jobs, act
like Tom Sawyer and get your friends to help.  Pay attention and do a good
job.  If they like your work, ask for referrals for others that may need similar
work done.  First, be sure they’re a satisfied customer, re-do anything that’s not right at no additional charge.
— Run errands for elderly neighbors.
— Use your talents and skills – offer tutoring sessions in your best subject, drawing lessons, music lessons, dance lessons and etc. to younger kids at your church or community center.  Get permission from the pastor, activities director or center director to use the facility. 
— Look for opportunities to help at areas businesses that might be short-handed.

Option 2: Go to Camp

Churches:  Check out area churches for VBS (vacation bible school) and get signed up.  Look for the VBS (vacation bible school) signs at nearby churches.

Mid-South Baptist Conference Center in Cordova provides year-round accommodations for groups of 20 to 400 for retreats, camps, conferences, and group events. For more information, call (901) 754-7028.

Service Over Self program features the opportunity to evangelize through urban home repair camps.  For more information, call (901) 681-9044.

Community Centers: According to the City of Memphis Web site, the Memphis Park Services offers a Summer Day Camp (ages 5 to 12) at all its Community Centers and a Summer Teen Camp (ages 13 to 15) at selected sites. The 9-week program, which started June 2, includes educational classes, recreation and field trips.
The following community centers have Summer Day Camp programs (6 a.m. to 8 p.m.) with a proposed number of campers accepted at each location. Those with an asterisk (*) also have a Teen Camp:
Bert Ferguson - 135 campers * FULL
Bickford - 30 campers
Charles Powell - 40 campers *
Cunningham - 100 campers
Dave Wells - 40 campers
Davis - 125 campers *
Douglass - 80 campers
Ed Rice - 100 campers *
Gaisman - 100 campers
Gaston - 50 campers
Glenview - 120 campers *
Hickory Hill - 135 campers * FULL
Hollywood - 50 campers
Katie Sexton - 40 campers
Lester - 100 campers
Marion Hale - 125 campers FULL
McFarland - 125 campers
Mitchell - 50 campers
North Frayser - 100 campers
Orange Mound - 80 campers
Pine Hill - 70 campers
Raleigh - 120 campers
Riverview - 50 campers
Whitehaven - 125 campers *
Skinner Center - 50 campers
Specialty Camps:    
— The Green Jobs Leadership Academy Science Camp for 14-15 year olds – June 15-August 15.  Held in conjunction with Urban Family Ministries, the camp will cover environmental science, nutrition and green marketing as well as some leadership and soft skills building. Camp will be held at 2 locations - 4 weeks at East Career and Technology Center and 4 weeks at the Urban Family Ministries. Up to total of 50 students - 25 at each center can be accommodated. After 4 weeks, the campers will switch centers, so all will learn the same things. Hours will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with lunch and snacks provided. The cost per camper is $75 per week. Scholarships may be available.   Call Zorina Bowen, lab coordinator at (901) 327-0124.

— Kids-N-Technology Computer Camp - a technology education camp for children ages 9 to 17 where kids build their own computer and take it home! Held in Memphis and across the state — Toll-Free: 866-513-3007

— Horsemania Camp – a day camp and overnight camp for children in Mason, Tenn.  Emphasis on horse safety, grooming, tack, campers learn to walk, trot and canter. Call (901) 634-7484.

— Mid-South Summer Chess Camp - June 15-20 at Lausanne Collegiate School. Contact Arlene Kleiman at (901) 276-4663 for more details.
— Performing Arts Summer Theatre Camp – June 9 through August 1.  For more information, call (901) 624-6856.
— Summer Cheer Camp - Campers will learn beginning cheerleader motions, jumps, crowd participation, and a complete dance routine. Campers will receive a Cheer T-shirt and a spirit medal. No prior cheerleading experience necessary. June 11-15, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Bert Ferguson Community Center. Ages 5-15 yrs. Contact: Zenobia (901) 246-8498.   Also, for information on Universal Cheerleaders Association summer camp, call (901) 387-43
Colleges:
— Fogelman Executive Center offers various programs.  Call (901) 678-3700 for more information.

— The Art House Summer Camp. Summer at the Art House is the perfect opportunity to become fully immersed in art. With week-long camps for kids ages 3-teen, we strive to combine exciting art based activities with interesting and educational.  Phone 901-758-8818.

— Community Music School Memphis Music Camp at University of Memphis - band, orchestra and choir - under the guidance of the artist-faculty of the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music. Emphasis is on ensemble performance. Private lessons are available.  Call (901) 678-4244.

— Para Los Ninos - A four-week Spanish immersion day camp held at Christian Brothers University. Your child will learn the Spanish language, art, culture, songs and games.   Call Show Phone # (901) 210-3814.

— Rhodes College Young Scholars and Writers Camp.  The Summer Writing Institute at Rhodes College takes place annually during the last two weeks of June and is an intensive residential academic program committed to developing the critical thinking.  For details, call (901) 843-3056

Youth Agencies:  Youth service organizations usually plan summer activities for regular and seasonal participants.   

— Girls, Incorporated of Memphis runs an 8-week program at its six centers in Memphis.  You’ll need to call each center individually to find out about the program.  For information on the Frayser Center and Seventh Street locations, call Ms. Dora at (901) 527-4475, or call the administrative office at (901) 523-0217.

— Boys and Girls Clubs (www.bgcm.org) are located throughout the city.  Call the administrative office at (901) 278-2947 for information on their locations and summer programs.

Option 3 – Volunteer

Volunteer Memphis has an organized program known as Memphis Teen Volunteer (MTV) to encourage youth volunteerism. The MTV Summer Program helps place teens in agencies throughout the community.  Call (901) 523-2425 or email info@volunteermemphis.org.

There are more than 200 recognized nonprofit agencies in Memphis.  Pick out an agency you would like to help and give them a call.  Also, don’t overlook opportunities to volunteer for special programs and community events run by fraternities and sororities and social service agencies. Generally, they will welcome your help. If you volunteer, show up as promised.  Agencies get credit with donors and supporters for volunteer hours and so can you.  List your activities on your resume.  Keep up with the number of hours you donate each summer, semester or year.

Despite all this useful information, you may still find yourself without much to do this summer.  In that case, create your own to-do list. Join the Memphis Public Library’s Summer Reading Program.

You can organize or get an adult to organize field trips for your friends.  Visit Graceland, Slavehaven, National Civil Rights Museum, Shiloh Battlefield, Mammoth Caves, Henning, Tenn. All you need is to contact a local bus tour company like Cross Country Tours (901-398-4476) to find out where you can go, how many people you’ll need, and at what cost per person. Local museums and attractions like the zoo generally have free admission days – you can find out more by calling or visiting their website.

You can plan a picnic on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi.  Organize a cook-out at the local park – have each of your friends bring an item from the list you created – hot dogs, buns, charcoal, sodas, etc.  Pick out a charitable cause and organize a fundraiser. 

You’re only limited by your imagination and your willingness to follow through.  Plan for success.  Remember, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.