Cool+program+ideas

For anyone looking for a Babysitting Workshop, I can recommend the Safe Sitter Program.

Usually offered in hospitals, this is a very comprehensive program aimed at young teens -- 11 to 13. It's expensive, and staff intensive, but it does a great job of prepping young sitters.

We offer 2 classes each summer and they fill up almost instantly. We use programming and grant funds to support the costs, but many organizations charge to at least cover the cost of the manuals.

www.safesitter.org will give you more info.

I've done babysitting crafts as teen programs a few times. They've been really fun programs that always end too soon. Some of the things we've done:

 I demonstrate how to make a one sheet blank book which they can then use in any number of ways (I always suggest making a backyard scavenger hunt, a "book about me" to fill out with the kids, a brief story of their own, or a story that they can have the kids help write and illustrate) http://www.ehow.com/how_ 2281936_minibook-one-sheet- paper.html

 I've bought simple cloth gardening or knitted gloves at the dollar store (usually 2 pair for $1) which they can use to make finger puppets. One inventive girl made a puppet set, then used the book to write and illustrate a story for the puppets.

 Take the ingredients to make no-cook playdough. This is great fun for the teens (we add the ingredients to a ziploc bag and they combine it in there to cut down on the mess. Then they can take it to babysitting appointments or use the same method to make it again with their charges. One recipe I found uses old coffee grounds and looks like stone, which was fun.

 I give them a tour of the kid's area too, showing them were they might find books for which ages.

Allen County Public Library Anime Prom Held last October, and boasting a turn-out of 90+kids, the anime club seems to have sponsored an anime prom. Kind of a great idea! http://acplteens.wordpress.com/2010/04/17/anime-prom/ http://acplteens.wordpress.com/2010/07/26/anime-prom-2/ http://acplteens.wordpress.com/2010/10/01/anime-prom-2010/ http://host5.evanced.info/allenco/evanced/eventsignup.asp?ID=26752