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'B'More This Summer' aims to engage youth in fun, safe activities

Hundreds of youths help inform city's planning of summer events

'B'More This Summer' aims to engage youth in fun, safe activities

Hundreds of youths help inform city's planning of summer events

FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE POOLSIDE BY THE MAYOR. HE WAS JOINED BY STAFF AND A HANDFUL OF CITY YOUTH WHO SAY THEY HAD A SAY IN WHAT WILL TAKE PLACE OVER THE SUMMER. THEY TOLD US THAT THEY WANTED TO HEAR LIVE ENTERTAINMENT, HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE MONEY, HAS SPACES TO SAFELY GATHER AND SOCIALIZE AND HAVE ACCESS TO EXCITING ACTIVITIES LIKE POOL PARTIES AND MIDNIGHT BASKETBALL. MORE THAN 300 TEENAGERS WERE AT THE TABLE HELPING TO DECIDE WHAT WOULD APPEAL TO THEIR AGE GROUP SAYS, WHAT DID WE WANT TO DO THIS SUMMER? AND WE HAD GAVE OPINIONS ON WHAT WE WANTED TO DO AND THE OPINIONS WE GAVE. WE HAVE IT. WE GOT TO MAKE THIS YOUTH DRIVEN. AND WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT IS BY INCLUDING THE YOUTH HAVING A DIRECT HAND IN DEVELOPING THE PROGRAM. THE SUMMER ANNOUNCEMENT COMES A FEW DAYS AFTER THE MAYOR SPOKE ABOUT THE CITY’S YOUTH CURFEW. A CURFEW WITH FLEXIBILITY FOR YOUTH TAKING PART IN LOCAL LATE NIGHT ACTIVITIES. OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WILL RECEIVE A WRISTBAND THAT ACTUALLY IDENTIFIES THEM SO THAT THEY’RE AWARE, SO THAT EVERYONE IS AWARE THAT THEY PARTICIPATED IN A CITY SPONSORED EVENT. BESIDES, FUN FILLED OUTSIDE EVENTS ACROSS THE CITY, TEENS ARE ALSO BEING ENCOURAGED TO CONTINUE LEARNING AT ENOCH PRATT LIBRARIES. EVERY MONTH THIS SUMMER, YOU’LL RECEIVE A FREE BOOK FOR YOUR HOME LIBRARY. SO EVERY MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY THAT SIGNS UP WILL GET A FREE BOOK TO BUILD OUT THE LITERACY IN YOUR HOME. AS FOR THE CITY’S POOLS, RECS PARK SAYS IT WILL CRACK DOWN ON PEOPLE WHO TRY AND TAKE A DIP AFTER HOURS. A BIT OF GOOD NEWS. THOSE POOLS WILL OPEN TOMORROW. IN FACT, WE’RE TOLD FOUR POOLS WERE OPEN FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO GO AND ENJOY THEM. NOW WHEN IT COMES TO OTHER ACTIVITIES, THERE’S A LONG LIST. YOU CAN FIND THEM ON OUR WBAL TV 11 NEWS APP.
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'B'More This Summer' aims to engage youth in fun, safe activities

Hundreds of youths help inform city's planning of summer events

It's gearing up to be a fun-filled, and, hopefully, safe summer for thousands of Baltimore City youths, Mayor Brandon Scott said Friday as he rolled out his B'More Summer Youth Engagement Program.The program will provide a long list of activities over the summer, some at city pools and several others across the city.| LINK: B'More Summer Information Hub | Summer Events/Teen ZoneThe mayor made his announcement poolside at the Druid Hill Park pool. He was joined by staff and a handful of city youth who said they had a say in what the city will offer over the summer."They told us that they wanted to hear live entertainment, opportunities to make money, have spaces to safely gather and socialize and do exciting activities, like pool parties and midnight basketball," Scott said.More than 300 teenagers were at the table, helping to decide what would appeal to their age group."She asked us, what did we want to do this summer? And, we gave opinions of what we wanted to do, and the opinions we gave, we have it," said Tori Howard, a city youth."We got to make this youth-driven, and what is the best way to do that? By including the youth having a direct hand in developing the program," said Lawrence Summerville, a YouthWorks ambassador.The summer announcement comes a few days after the mayor spoke about the city's youth curfew, a policy that has flexibility for youth taking part in city-sponsored late-night activities.| RELATED: Baltimore summer youth curfew takes effect Memorial Day weekend"Our young people will receive a wristband that actually identifies them, so that they are aware, so that everyone is aware that they participated in a city-sponsored event," said Debra Brooks, director of the Mayor's Office of Children and Family Success.Besides fun-filled outside events across the city, teens are also being encouraged to continue learning at Enoch-Pratt Free Library branches."Every month, you'll receive a free book for your home library, so every member of your family that signs up will get a free book to build out the literacy in your home," said Heidi Daniel, president and CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library.As for the city's pools, the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks said it will crack down on people who try and take a dip after hours. Four city pools will be open on Saturday.Watch the mayor's news conference in its entirety: | VIDEO BELOW: 'These are all of our children': Summer youth engagement strategy unveiled

It's gearing up to be a fun-filled, and, hopefully, safe summer for thousands of Baltimore City youths, Mayor Brandon Scott said Friday as he rolled out his B'More Summer Youth Engagement Program.

The program will provide a long list of activities over the summer, some at city pools and several others across the city.

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| LINK: B'More Summer Information Hub | Summer Events/Teen Zone

The mayor made his announcement poolside at the Druid Hill Park pool. He was joined by staff and a handful of city youth who said they had a say in what the city will offer over the summer.

"They told us that they wanted to hear live entertainment, opportunities to make money, have spaces to safely gather and socialize and do exciting activities, like pool parties and midnight basketball," Scott said.

More than 300 teenagers were at the table, helping to decide what would appeal to their age group.

"She asked us, what did we want to do this summer? And, we gave opinions of what we wanted to do, and the opinions we gave, we have it," said Tori Howard, a city youth.

"We got to make this youth-driven, and what is the best way to do that? By including the youth having a direct hand in developing the program," said Lawrence Summerville, a YouthWorks ambassador.

The summer announcement comes a few days after the mayor spoke about the city's youth curfew, a policy that has flexibility for youth taking part in city-sponsored late-night activities.

| RELATED: Baltimore summer youth curfew takes effect Memorial Day weekend

"Our young people will receive a wristband that actually identifies them, so that they are aware, so that everyone is aware that they participated in a city-sponsored event," said Debra Brooks, director of the Mayor's Office of Children and Family Success.

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Besides fun-filled outside events across the city, teens are also being encouraged to continue learning at Enoch-Pratt Free Library branches.

"Every month, you'll receive a free book for your home library, so every member of your family that signs up will get a free book to build out the literacy in your home," said Heidi Daniel, president and CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library.

As for the city's pools, the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks said it will crack down on people who try and take a dip after hours. Four city pools will be open on Saturday.

Watch the mayor's news conference in its entirety:

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

| VIDEO BELOW: 'These are all of our children': Summer youth engagement strategy unveiled

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.