Summer brain drain is a thing, but it doesn’t have to be

Angela Hollingsworth

Submitted photo

Things to Do

Here are some ideas for free and low-cost things to keep kids engaged this summer.

Goodyear Skate Park, 3151 N. Litchfield Road: Skaters and riders can test their skills on the park’s big transitions, pool coping, cradles and a 12-foot-high range pro bowl. Free.

Goodyear Recreation Campus, 420 S. Estrella Parkway: 86-acre campus provides free fun for the public, as well as access to a state-of-the-art recreational facility for Goodyear residents. Passes start a $3 per person.

Buckeye Aquatic Center, 207 N. 9th St., Buckeye: Center features a 10-foot-high dive, low dive and 160-foot water slide. Open swim is $2 per person.

Culture Pass and library events: Libraries across Maricopa County offer free access to books, computers, teen spaces, SMART table and Citizen Science Kits. Culture Pass offers free admission for two to the Arcosanti, Desert Botanical Garden, Reid Park Zoo, museums and more. Visit mcldaz.org to find your nearest library.

Tour State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale: Go behind the scenes at the facility recognized as one of the best sporting venues in the world. Public tours are available on select days throughout the year. From $26. Visit httpsstatefarmstadium.com/stadium-tours-2/upcomingtours.

Tour Cerreta Candy Co., 5345 W Glendale Ave., Glendale: Arizona’s beloved family-owned candy factory offers tours and VIP activities from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Prices start at $7 per person. Visit cerreta.com/tour-activities.

Pioneer Living History Museum, 3901 W. Pioneer Road, Phoenix: Explore 30 historic buildings, including a blacksmith shop and a mercantile store. You can even look through an 1890s dress shop and tour a sheriff’s office. Tickets start at $8; children under 5 free. Visit pioneeraz.org.

Summertime can create academic “brain drain,” or the “summer break mental slide,” if teens spend their free time glued to screens instead of learning in the classroom.

While teens relish time off from formal learning, it’s a great opportunity to stimulate their brain with hands-on learning and new experiences that strengthen them mentally, socially and academically. Here are four ideas for summer adventures to keep teens’ minds and bodies moving and thriving.

1. Tap into teens interests for in-depth exploration, hands-on fun that they’ll be excited about and remember.

2. Allow them to be bored without screens — this stimulates an important part of the brain development that helps kids be more creative and better problem-solvers. But don’t give into increased screen time because of boredom.

3. Read everywhere — under a tree, at the beach, everywhere to retain skills gained during the school year. Visit the library to pick out a new book, novel, even a comic book for teens to read while traveling.

4. Let teens explore potential careers — Bake, garden, volunteer at the Humane Society, take a free tour or visit a historical or scientific site. Exploration is one of the best deterrents of brain drain and a great way to get teens excited about future career paths.

Remember the whole teen

 Social and emotional development are just as important as academic development over spring or school breaks. Try to plan activities that:

• Create a sense of belonging

• Teach teens to persevere through challenges

• Learn to set and accomplish goals

• Create new family traditions that create a sense of stability

While ThrivePoint’s flexible hybrid schedule doesn’t include a traditional summer break, taking time to spend with family during the summer is a good idea for every teen. Here’s a list of free or nearly West Valley activities for teens to try this summer outside of the classroom:

Editor’s note: Angela Hollingsworth is Arizona director of schools for ThrivePoint High School, a free hybrid charter school serving grades 9 to 12 and students up to 21 years old in Avondale, Buckeye, Glendale, Phoenix, Surprise and Yuma. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.