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Local teens will have service hours at their finger tips this summer thanks to a new program offered by the Oak Brook Park District. From June-August, Tic Tac Toe, or T3 for short, will provide teens the opportunity to participate in up to seven comprehensive service projects designed to positively impact the community.

T3 stands for Teens Impacting Communities, Teens Activating Citizens, and Teen Outreach and Empowerment. “We know that there is a demand to fulfill service hours and we have the connections and the opportunities to help these kids reach their goals,” says Karen Spandikow, the district’s assistant director of recreation.

According to the program supervisor, Amanda Piasecki, the service projects are designed to get teens out of their comfort zones and develop a broader world view. Piasecki has worked with local organizations such as the Hinsdale Humane Society, Northern Illinois Food Bank, and Project Linus to provide a diverse range of opportunities for teens to participate in productive work.

The 7-week camp runs Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am-3pm from June 13-August 3. On Tuesdays, teens will complete necessary prep work and research at the Family Recreation Center, 1450 Forest Gate Road. Projects will be completed on Thursdays at a different location each week.

Service projects will include reading to seniors and children, environmental clean-up and recycling, work with the Hinsdale Humane Society, and assisting with the Special Olympics. Participants may register week by week, or for the entire series. “Flexible registration allows teens to sign up for projects they feel connected to, which will help them stay engaged,” says Piasecki.

Registration for T3 will open on March 13 for residents and March 27 for nonresidents. Registration for is $84/week for residents and $109/week for nonresidents.

For more information, please contact Amanda at [email protected] or visit www.obparks.org/recreation/camps.asp.