Most youth in Crookston will spend their time working or in camps, but what about the time not used in those activities? Not every month of summer involves a busy schedule for everybody. That's why they're sometimes called the lazy days of summer, or even the dog days.
There really is little for teens to do in Crookston on any given day. (Wal-Mart is hardly a place for entertainment for the whole day.) The options dwindle down to nothing as it gets later in the day. The few places available close up shop for the day and it should be no surprise to people that teens do in fact stay up late.
Anyone is capable of resorting to doing stupid things when bored. Good thing is, there's an easy fix to boredom. Having something to do can usually do the trick. Teens enjoy being surrounded by friends, which is again no surprise.
How difficult could it really be to raise the money and find resources needed to supply a place for teenagers to spend their time? There's the option of going outdoors to a park in the evening, but what about mosquitoes and neighbors who don't want to hear rowdy teens while they're trying to sleep? Since the bowling alley closed, yet another option for entertainment is gone. That was certainly a good setting for teens to be with friends and have fun late at night.
Teens in Crookston are desperate for a change in this town. Would it really be that bad to humor them? Crookston High School offers activities for kids during the afternoon. What about offering something for teens in the evening? A summer dance for Crookston High School students could turn out to be a big hit, not to mention a way for the school to raise money. There are options and facilities (what about the Crookston Sports Center?) out there, so let's utilize them.
