Spend your summer with Pass It Along

Sussex County — This summer, Pass It Along will be offering many different programs for teens to participate in leadership, service and self-discovery, sponsored by the Orthopedic Institute of New Jersey and Thorlabs. Programs will begin running Monday, June 26 and will conclude the week of August 21. The Pass It Along Youth Center is located at 1 Brooks Plaza, Newton, NJ. All programs are open and free to teens in the area.
1. Hot Topics (Mon. Nights at 6:00 starting 6/26 at the Pass It Along Youth Center) - Questions you're too afraid to ask? Come to Hot Topics, where teens will be able to engage in conversations about a variety of issues facing them today in a safe, welcoming and educational environment.
2. Leadership Bootcamp (Thurs. Night at 7:00 starting 7/13 at the Pass It Along Youth Center) - This six-week dynamic training will connect teens to local business executives to teach them the skills they need to become leaders in their schools and communities.
3. DPP (7/26 & 8/23 at 7:00 pm at the Pass It Along Youth Center) - Join us for our signature Discover Your Passion and Purpose workshops where you will begin your lifelong journey of recognizing, cultivating and manifesting your purpose for the benefit of yourself, your communities and the world.
4. Band Together (7/26 & 8/16 at 6:00 pm at Ponderosa Studios) - Musicians will play songs about social awareness and social justice in a professional recording studio located in Lafayette. The group will then discuss the meaning behind the lyrics, social concerns and ways to take action.
5. Take a Hike (TBD) - Come hike with us! Explore different trails and mountains around the area led by experienced hikers while experiencing the environmental wonder of our area.
6. Manna House (6/20, 7/18 and 8/15 at the Newton Presbyterian Church at 5:00 pm) - Volunteers at the Manna House Spaghetti Dinner (to benefit a local soup kitchen) will help set up tables, serve dinner, and clean up afterwards. The dinners are held at Newton Presbyterian Church with entrance in the back of the church at the Manna House door. Parking is in the Lakeland Bank lot adjacent to the church.
7. Hardyston Garden (Tues. & Thurs. 6/20 - 8/21 at the Hardyston Municipal Building) - Volunteers plant, maintain, irrigate and harvest produce at a local charity garden located at the Hardyston Municipal Building. Start your day with beauty of this garden where all produce is donated to local food pantries. All gardening skill, from beginner to advanced, is welcome!
8. Compadres (Tues. 6:00-8:00 pm at the Sparta Methodist Church) - Peer mentors assist children with homework or school projects, play educational games, engage in recreational activities, participate in group educational structured activities, read books, share a joke, tell stories and enjoy spending time together.
9. Tilly's Kids (Wed, Thurs and Fri; July 5-27) – Buddies are needed to mentor children during their time visiting from Newark. Wednesdays are spent at Swartswood State Park, playing and swimming in the lake. Thursdays and Fridays are spent in Byram experiencing an enrichment program including environmental lessons, swimming, art, music, dance and games.
10. Movie Night (7/19 & 8/16 at 7:00 pm at the Pass It Along Youth Center) - Join us for a movie viewing and discussion! Each month will feature a different inspiring movie, offering an opportunity to reflect, discuss content and its connection to our lives.
11. RISE (Tues. Nights at 7:00 starting July 11 at the Youth Center) - RISE is an alternative support group for young adults ages 16-25 living with a chronic condition. This group will meet for workshops, social meet ups and service projects for 10 weeks starting July 11.
12. Empty Bowls (July 8 & 15 from 9:00-11:00 am at the Youth Center, and 2:00-3:30 pm at Knoll Heights in Sparta) - Paint bowls to raise awareness of childhood hunger in the United States and support our programs striving to end hunger locally in our community. Empty Bowls is a creative program bringing teens together through art and education.
To sign up for any of our free summer programs and receive updates, please visit us online at passitalong.org and search our program calendar & register to receive email notifications.
Be sure to join us for our 8th Annual Pass It Along Triathlon on July 29 at the Lake Mohawk Country Club! Both participants and volunteers are needed day of. For more information about the triathlon, visit passitalong.org.