by Bea Youngs- Paxson
Special to the Gazette
According to the US Census Bureau, Lehigh Acres had a population of 86,784 in 2010. There were 38,995 households of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them. To accommodate the growing population, specifically for the teenaged youth, Lehigh Acres is home to five high schools and six middle schools. With so many teenagers alone living in Lehigh Acres, what activities are available in which they can participate? The Sheriff’s Youth Activity League (SYAL) has hosted a “Teen Night” at Veteran’s Park Academy for the Arts for the past two years now. Hosting this Teen Night isn’t the only activity the SYAL provides, either. Other activities include archery, basketball and mechanics.
SYAL’s mission is “to fulfill the need for recreational, educational, cultural and social activities for the youth of our community by partnering with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. We instill leadership, good sportsmanship, high morals, and character through diverse programs and community outreach.” SYAL doesn’t only reach out to the community of Lehigh Acres, but serves the youth within the entire community of Lee County.
The Teen Night is just one of the many projects SYAL conducts and does so every third Friday of each month. May 18thwas this month’s Teen Night and over 150 youth within the age range of 12-17 attended. Admission was only $2 per person – part of the proceeds goes back to the SYAL and to pay for the disc jockey’s discounted fee. Doors opened at 7:00PM and the fun lasted until 10:00PM.
As the teens arrived, Deputies were there to greet each one and to explain to each parent/guardian that they needed to be back to pick their children up at least 10 minutes before 10:00PM. Once the teen enters the building, they’re not allowed to leave unless the parent is there to pick them up before the end, which is a safety precaution. Youth were not allowed to chew gum once inside and were asked to dispose of it before walking in the front doors. Clothing had to fit appropriately and several people were asked to pull their pants up and tighten their belts in order to cover their exposed boxer shorts. Each teenager had to sign in by providing their full name, phone number, school name, and date of birth (to ensure they met the 12-17 age requirement). Their wrists were stamped as they entered the hallway leading to the gymnasium where the dj and lighted dance floor was located.
With the appropriate music playing at a decent volume, the dj took requests from the youth and the dance floor was full from beginning to end. After all the dancing and laughter, if teens were thirsty or hungry, food and drink were available for free with donations made by the Fort Myers Missionary Church and their youth volunteers. Deputies were inside the gymnasium amongst the youth the entire time. At the end of the Teen Night, the youth were not allowed to linger around, so when the music ended and the dance floor cleared, parents were there on time to pick up their children after a very fun and safe evening.
So what happens with those teens that are older than 17? Many of them become Teen Night volunteers and assist the SYAL in making the evening a successful one. Members of the Lehigh Acres Initiative were also there to volunteer their time for the youth.
If you’re ever wondering if there’s anything fun and safe for your teenaged child to do, check out the next Sheriff’s Youth Activity League’s Teen Night to be held next month on Friday, June 15th, 2012, at the Lehigh Acres Veteran’s Park Academy for the Arts. And if dancing isn’t your child’s cup of tea, maybe archery, basketball, or a mechanics project might interest them? Check out the SYAL website at http://www.leecountysheriffsyouthactivitiesleague.com for more information.
