A new survey could find the cure for local teens’ boredom, according to town officials.
After receiving several letters from high school students who complained there were too few activities in the village, Mayor James Addington informally asked Trustee Mark Forzley to develop a survey asking youngsters about their interests. Forzley, who also serves as assistant principal at Westmont Junior High School, will distribute the survey this spring among junior high and high school students.
Although Community Unit School District 201, the Westmont Park District and church youth organizations offer a wide variety of activities for youngsters, officials said they have little idea what activities youngsters like the most.
Young teens have indicated that they would like more evening activities, such as the Battle of the Bands, hosted last year by the Park District. That event attracted more than 300 teens, officials said.
“This survey is an opportunity for us as adults to hear what young people have to say, what they’re interested in,” Forzley said. “There are probably many things that we as adults have never thought of as interesting, but we might be able to offer for kids.”
Teachers, members of the school and park boards and village officials will review the survey before it is distributed through local schools or village publications. Once completed, officials said, they will use the surveys to tailor activities that already are offered or set up a youth commission to plan activities for teens.