> Xtreme Teens > Safe Summer Blog

Positive Pathways paves the way for teen development

2 Digs

Can teen development start before the teen years? It sure can, with programs like Prince George’s County’s Positive Pathways.

A 10-week program for 10- to 13-year-olds, Positive Pathways provides a setting in which preteens can learn about themselves and how to improve as individuals , while doing fun activities with peers.

Activities available to these teens include dance workshops, a splash pool night, a talent showcase, a bowling fundraiser and a service learning project as well as a few overnight activities.

The program “helps the preteen kids learn certain etiquette training that they may not be particularly introduced to in daily life,” said Prince George’s Plaza staff member Sara Swarr.

Part of this etiquette training includes learning choreographed dance routines and ballroom-style dances. This part of the program is modeled after the cotillion program created for older teens.

“A lot of them just dance all the time, so giving them the outlet to have an instructor come in and teach them these things… gives them a good outlet to express themselves,” said Swarr.

The preteens’ final event on November 20 will allow participants to display all they have learned since the beginning of September including group and individual choreographed dances.