Youth Appreciation Week 2009050

Seattle Parks and Recreation celebrates Youth Appreciation Week during the spring break and offers tons of free activities for kids ages 11 to 18 at community centers throughout the city. Be sure to sign up in advance for field trips and a few of the other events. (Our calendar notes which events require advance registration.) A non-perishable food donation is requested for all activities.

March 30: Sports fans can play Floor Hockey at Queen Anne Community Center or go to Rainier Community Center for the Hip Hop Hoop Three on Three Tournament. Film screenings are held at Rainier Community Center and Van Asselt Community Center.

March 31: Southwest Community Center staffers take kids on a Rock Climbing trip to Vertical World, while a field trip for young gamers travels downtown from Rainier Community Center to Gameworks. Jefferson Community Center hosts a Root Beer Social in the early evening and the Meadowbrook Teen Life Center offers a workshop in Building Small Engines.

Younger kids can also join in the fun on March 31 during the Springfest celebration at High Point Community Center and a Spring Break Carnival at Magnuson Park.

April 1: Rainier Beach Community Center hosts a Movie and Taco Bar and Van Asselt Community Center offers some April Fool's Day fun. Aspiring pop stars can show off their skills during a Karaoke event at the Meadowbrook Teen Life Center.

April 2: Rainier Community Center hosts a Career Fair and several community centers offer field trips.

Meet at Miller Community Center for a Nature Walk at Magnolia's Discovery Park, at Hiawatha Community Center for a behind-the-scenes tour of Safeco Field, or the Queen Anne Community Center for a musical adventure at the EMP. Meadowbrook Teen Life Center staffers take kids on a bowling trip.

Several other events are also held on Wednesday.

April 3: Southwest Community Center hosts a Block Party and Meadowbrook Teen Life Center hosts a celebratory dinner. Kids can earn service learning hours by participating in a Work Party at Alki Community Center.