Simulated sky diving, cooking and cyber security are among the free classes being offered by a Southland area youth organization this summer.
The Bridge Teen Center will showcase the programs and others for youth at its open house 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 4 at 15555 S. 71st St. in Orland Park
“We have over 110 free programs for students this summer, and it pains us that more people don’t know about it,” said Rob Steinmetz, a founder and director of marketing and development at the Bridge Teen Center. “There’s so many great programs going on, we’re local, and parents don’t have to pay (more than) $300 in camp fees.”
Steinmetz said the event will begin with “Bridge Basics,” a complete orientation for teens and their families that includes registration, an overview of programs and behavioral expectations.
“We walk them through — from soup to nuts — what the Bridge Teen Center is all about,” he said. “It’s really a kind of taste of The Bridge.”
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Steinmetz said guests will be introduced to the new “student portal” system, which will allow each youngster to sign up online for programs and show the participant’s past involvement with the center.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the center will be open for the whole community to visit and “check out the space, get a tour and meet some of the staff,” Steinmetz said.
Founded in 2010, the center is funded by donations and relies on volunteers.
Steinmetz said the facility has grown from its original size of 2,400 square feet to 10,000 square feet. He said attendance also has increased.
“We’ve gone from a few dozen students a week in the early days to about 300 students or so per week through our doors,” Steinmetz said. “In terms of attendance it’s been unbelievable. We know we’ve barely scratched the surface. There’s tens of thousands of teenagers in the surrounding communities. The goal is to reach as many as we can.
Throughout the year, youths in seventh through 12th grades are able to participate in about 350 free programs.
For more information, visit www.thebridgeteencenter.org or call 708-532-0500.
Ginger Brashinger is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.