Teens Don't Have To Be Bored This Summer

Thursday, 18 July 2019 07:40

Parents won't have to hear "I'm bored" this summer, as teens can take part in the many activities planned as part of the the Oxford County Library's teen program this summer.

OXFORD COUNTY - The Oxford County Library has been organizing teen programs this summer.

The Ingersoll and Tillsonburg branches have been hosting activities this week.

Outreach and Teen Librarian, Meagan Berry says the initiative has been going on for the past three years.

"They're looking for something to do, they want to get out of the house, they want to get meeting other kids and coming to the library is such a great meeting place for everybody because not only do we have books and the movies and games but we're just a great community centre. And we have a really great teen hangout in the Ingersoll library, as well as the Tillsonburg library, so even if teens are just looking for somewhere to get out of the house for a little while and relax, use the internet, they can come and hang out and take part in something that's going on in the library."

A teen photography contest and cupcake decorating contest are among this year's activities.

Berry says they held the contest, dubbed the "cupcake wars", which was put on last year.

"We do several rounds with different themes. So some teams come prepared thinking that they're going to take all these skills they've practiced with and build these beautiful cupcakes, and then I throw something at them and make them create something with some wacky ingredients. Yesterday we saw some really creative cupcakes from the teams that did participate, we did three different rounds and they all go to enjoy their cupcakes afterwards which is always a hit with the teens. Anything to do with food, they're so happy to come to the library for."

It was held at the Ingersoll library on Tuesday and at the Tillsonburg library yesterday.

The teen photo contest was also put on last year, which saw over 70 participants. Berry says this is the fourth year it has been a part of the library's teen program, encouraging children to be involved with the library even if they're unable to make it to any of the programs at either branch.

The contest goes until August 15th and the pictures are posted in some of the branches, where voting will be open to the public.

The programs are held every week for kids ages 11 to 18, going until the end of August.

It is free to attend and runs every Tuesday and Wednesday at 2:00pm inside the Ingersoll and Tillsonburg branches respectively.

A complete calendar of the teen program's activities can be found on the library's website here.