Spring Break can be an enjoyable time for every member of the family! Parents may be concerned about communicating with their teens and what could happen if they’re not around. Spring break has become a time many older adolescents and teens look forward to, and view as a time to have fun and grow into their individually. Parents may want to learn how to assist your teen in having the safest trip or staycation possible. Here are some tips to consider;
Research. If a trip is planned, get background information about the specific destination, travel warnings, and public announcements detailing any serious crime, terrorism, health risks, natural disasters or other dangers for specific countries.
Keep in touch. If teens are traveling, most of the time it is the parents who pay for the trip. Feel comfortable in setting limits on your child’s travel companions and destination.
Stick with friends you know and trust. Encourage your teen to never go out alone or leave a safe place with strangers. Even people they meet along the way may seem friendly but may not have the best intentions.
Hotel or Airbnb safety is key. Have your teens leave important valuables in a safe place and avoid wearing expensive clothing or accessories in places they’re not familiar with.
Alternate Spring Break Options
Over the past several years the term “alternative spring break” has spread across college campuses and high schools in the United States. An “alternative spring break” typically means volunteering for spring break, a very rewarding way to spend your time off rather than spending a lot of money in tourist destinations like the Florida Keys or Miami.
For example, students can choose to cut brush and maintain hiking trails at your closest state park or work on building or improving homes alongside homeowners.
Alternative spring breaks allow students to serve their community in a meaningful way while taking advantage of opportunities to travel, meet new people, and feel the satisfaction that goes hand in hand with working to improve those communities and the people who live in them.
Each year more than 10,000 high school and college students in the U.S. participate in alternative spring break with Habitat for Humanity.
The United Way also hosts an alternative spring break every year. Students can sign up with their local United Way chapter to become involved in a community service project in a major city near you.
The American Hiking Society offers trips where students can rake, shovel, trim, lop, and chop hundreds of trail miles. During these unique travel vacations, groups of six to 16 volunteers accompanied by a crew leader backpack or day-hike while cleaning and bettering nature trails across the country!
College students who are interested in an alternative spring break are encouraged to reach out to their student union or counselor to learn what programs are available through their school.
There are literally hundreds of volunteering opportunities that can work for students in Tennessee over spring break. Make sure you do your research before making any kind of down payment. While national and well-known organizations are a great place to start, there are so many local groups that match students with the best volunteering opportunity for them. Learn more about how to be a volunteer and boost your community.
Additional Resources
Looking for fun things to do on spring break with the younger kids? Check out these fun spring break activities for children.