Green Teens having fun at the Arthur Ashe Kids' Day!

The Green Teens had a blast during the 2014 Arthur Ashe Kids' Day on Saturday, August 23.
The Arthur Ashe Kids' Day was filled of family fun activities including juggling, face painting, and tennis themed games. There were characters including SpongeBob and Patrick, jugglers and balloon artists to keep everyone entertained. 
Older kids had the opportunity to play against the pros.The highlight of the day was the stadium show which included performers such as Hunter Hayes, Shaun T, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Serena Williams.

 

 

Bottle Cap Bonanza at Flushing Meadow Corona Park

The US Open brings many visitors and locals to Flushing Meadows Corona Park during the last few weeks of summer each year. Tuesday, August 19 was no different. The park was buzzing with excitement and anticipation. One particular group was not looking for tennis players or celebrities. Instead this group was looking for bottle caps! The organization Community Mediation Services, Inc joined the NYC Parks'  Queens Green Teens Program. The youth volunteers donated three hours of their time to participate in the "Bottle Cap Bonanza". Litter is a preventable problem. Staff spends hours removing litter to ensure the cleanliness of our parkland. The youth members of Community Mediation Services, Inc. removed over 2,000 bottle caps. The volunteers were astonished at the amount of caps left behind by park patrons. Community service teaches youth many important life lessons including the importance of team work, proper use of  receptacles and consequences of our actions. At the end of the "Bottle Cap Bonanza" the group enjoyed a beautiful stroll in the park followed by authentic Spanish cuisine sold by a local vendor. Queens Recreation gave the volunteers canteens as a token of our appreciation and thanks.

 

 

-Marie Vulcain

Roy Wilkins' Green Teens Farewell Lunch

The Roy Wilkins' Green Teens volunteers and Green Teens SYEPs  were treated to a luncheon yesterday. The delicious Subway spread was set up in Roy Wilkins Park under a nice shady spot. Staff  described how much the Green Teens helped out this summer in Roy Wilkins Park and the Recreation Center. A center manager mentioned watching some Green Teens come out of their shell during the past few weeks. Another manager mentioned the professionalism and work ethic the Green Teens  bought to the center throughout the summer. Certificates of Recognition and community service letters were given to the Green Teens followed by lunch. After enjoying the Subway all the Green Teens spoke about their experiences this summer. One Green Teen mentioned he learned the proper way to sweep. Another Green Teen mentioned being thankful for the opportunity to make new friends. The center staff at Roy Wilkins will miss this exceptional  group of Green Teens but are hopeful many will return in the fall.

 

 

-Marie Vulcain

Annual Green Teens/ SYEP Sports Challenge at Al Oerter

Last Friday, August 15th the Green Teens enjoyed a day of Sports at the Al Oerter Recreation Center in Flushing. The Annual Green Teens/ SYEP Sports Challenge was an awesome day! Ms. Sandra the Al Oerter's Green Teens Coordinator wanted to thank the teens for all their  hard work and dedication to public service. The gym was open to the teens and many games were played. Dodgeball and  Wallyball were two of the many athletic competitions. Dogeball is a classic game which many Green Teens and SYEPs  played in school.  Many of the teens were not familiar with the rules of  Wallyball. This gave the Green Teens and SYEPs the opportunity to try a new game. Staff was on hand to cheer, teach and referee as the teens competed. The  Green Teens and SYEPs received  lunch, certificates of appreciation and awards. The gym was filled with laughing, screaming and running teens. The Al Oerter Green Teens and SYEPs deserved a day of fun and recreation as the summer session comes to a close. Although  the end of the summer is fast approaching  it is not the end for many 
                                                                Green Teens. The Green Teens will be back in the fall!

 

Lost Batallion Hall and Detective Keith Williams' Green Teens provide tree care in Rego Park!

The Green Teens were out early Thurs August 14, 2014. Eleven Green Teens provided  much needed TLC to trees near the Lost Batallion Hall Recreation Center.  The Green Teens from Lost Batallion Hall and Detective Keith Williams worked side by side under the supervision of Million Trees, NAV and Recreation Staff. The tree beds were weeded. The soil was aerated, debris was removed and mulch was added to the tree beds. The difference was quite noticable.The Green Teens learned about the importance of caring for young trees especially in the summer months. Each Green Teens was given a water kanteen as thanks for their hard work. The kanteens will no doubt limit the amount of plastic bottles used by the Green Teens.  The Green Teens learned how easy it is to care for and adopt street trees in NYC. If you are interested in adopting a tree near you please follow this link  http://stewardship.nycparks.org/.