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Awesome Safe Summer Night at Bladensburg Community Center

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It was a jam-packed night of summer fun at Bladensburg Community Center's Safe Summer on Wednesday, July 17. Xtreme Teens and Preteens started by taking time to Drop Everything And Read (DEAR) before playing basketball and hanging out in the center's gym. Park Ranger Devon was there setting up a campfire, where teens could make s'mores. He had the recipe for a perfect s'more: 2 squares of graham crackers, one marshmallow (roasted just right) and one piece of chocolate. Teens were enjoying the gooey treat despite the hot weather! Inside, at the center's cool new teen room, Diego Arnold, 10, and Leonardo Matilde, 12, were discussing current events, like the cultural significance of the Trayvon Martin case. Though Diego is just visiting his cousins, and has only been to the community center once before, his favorite thing about Safe Summer is the food. Leonardo lives close and comes into Bladensburg in the afternoons to practice basketball because he is on a summer league team. They enjoy coming to Safe Summer so they are hanging out with their friends instead of watching TV or playing video games at home. "It's actually pretty fun to come here," Diego said. Naimah Sumner, 8, was enjoying a s'more in the teen room too. "I like the dinners they give us and the arts and crafts," she said about Safe Summer. Teens and preteens could then join in on a Zumba class and, later, would be making Gimp creations. Ms. Joann, who has worked with teens for 13 years loves being at Safe Summer almost as much as the kids she hangs out with. "I love Safe Summer, the kids love it," she said. Overall, it was a great night at the Bladensburg Community Center with much more fun in store the rest of the summer. Check out the fun for yourself!