Sue Scheff: Youths and Teens Rewarded for Volunteerism

The 2010 Prudential Spirit of Community National Award Ceremony Webcast

Monday, May 3, 2010 12:45 PM Eastern

As a parent, it’s important to teach children about the great impact volunteering can have on our communities. The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards is to encourage you and to support our 102 youth volunteer honorees for 2010 for their outstanding accomplishments.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards was created 15 years ago to recognize young heroes who have made exceptional impacts on the lives of others through acts of volunteerism. Again this year, two honorees from each state will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion, and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for several days of national recognition events. And ten of these students will be named National Honorees on May 3, receiving an additional $5,000, gold medallions, trophies, and $5,000 grants from The Prudential Foundation for a charitable organization of their choice.


The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honor young people in middle level and high school grades for outstanding volunteer service to their communities. Created in 1995 by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the awards constitute the United States’ largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteering. Over the past 15 years, the program has honored more than 90,000 young volunteers at the local, state, and national level.

To watch the event – click here to register.

Sue Scheff: Students Offering Support, Inc.

SOS means a lot of things to different people, however in South Florida, SOS is Students Offering Support which is a non-profit organization designed to bring a positive impact into our community through charitable causes and much more.

Recently SOS sponsored "Bowling Against Bullies" to help the Josie Ratley family with their major medical expenses from the tragic incident that happened last week. 8th grader Josie Lou Ratley was a victim of what some are calling, text rage. She is currently in a medically induced coma at Broward General Hospital in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

"Violence is not the answer," said Laura Sanchez Slik (pictured in slideshow), President a non-profit youth organization (SOS) sponsoring the event. "We're doing bowling against bullies. It was an idea that we thought of [to fight] teen violence. Teens helping teens - that's what we want to show."


"We just want to get it out there to all kids our age. It's not the way to go - violence is not the answer to everything," said Ryan Zighelboim, another organizer. - CBS4

Read more and watch slideshow - click here.

Sue Scheff: Tobacco Free Florida

Unveiled in 2008 under the direction of the Florida Department of Health, the Tobacco Free Florida campaign seeks to decrease the number of tobacco users in the state of Florida through efforts aimed at both preventing nonusers from starting to use tobacco and encouraging current users to quit. These efforts are funded by money derived from court settlements against major tobacco companies, and include executions in the realm of Advertising, Public Relations, Interactive, Guerilla Media, Event Media, Sponsored Promotions and more.

Learn more at http://tobaccofreeflorida.com/ and read more about Florida's Quitline and Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT).  Click here.

Sue Scheff: Teen Teen at Planned Parenthood

 The Teen Time® Carrera Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program (Teen Time®) which uses a holistic approach that aims to empower youth. The program helps young people to develop personal goals and the desire for a productive future.

In addition to developing sexual literacy and educating teens about the risks associated with sexual activity, the program also emphasizes the importance of education and employment. Youths start the program at age 11 or 12 and continue past high school. They work with them five days a week, after school, and throughout the summer. There are sites in Belle Glade, Lake Worth, West Palm Beach, and Fort Pierce, in areas with high rates of teen pregnancy and low high school graduation rates.


Find out more about Teen Time - click here.

Be an educated parent, you will have safer and healthier teens.

Sue Scheff: Camp Finders - Choosing the right camp for your teen

There may be a chill in South Florida and around the country, however summer camp time is coming fast! If you will be sending your child or teen to camp, the time is now to start researching your options.

• Are you looking for a sleep away camp?
• Are you looking for day camps?
• Are you looking for teen travel camps?
• Are you looking for specific camps that meet your child's interests such as tennis, golf, skateboarding, fine arts, music, horse back riding, etc.?
• Does your child have special needs and requirements?
• Are you looking for an academic summer program?

There are many options to consider in choosing what is best for your individual child.

You may want to start with the assistance of Camp Finders. Located in Delray Beach, Florida, Rick Mades for over fifteen years, has been helping parents find the best summer programs and camps for their children and teens. He has visited over a hundred sleep away camps throughout our country as well as in Canada, Europe, Australia, Central America, the Caribbean & Virgin Islands, Israel & more. The best part, this is a free service!

If you are considering a summer experience for your child or teen, the time is now to start doing your homework.

Be an educated parent, you will be better prepared which will give you safer and happier teens and children.

Read more on Examiner.

Sue Scheff: Looking for a Summer Job? Inspire youths!

Rick Mades of Camp Finders located in Delray Beach, Florida, created MySummers to give potential applicants an opportunity to learn about summer positions at a variety of summer camps.

Are you seeking a summer job that offers fulfillment working with today's youth?

Since 1999, MySummers has proved to be a great resource for applicants looking to work at a summer camp. Working as a camp counselor is one of the most meaningful summer jobs you will ever have. Campers always remember their counselors, and the impact that each counselor has had on their lives. For future teachers, camp jobs are a great way to gain experience working with and living with children.

At MySummers, you will be registering with one of the top resources in the country for camp directors and for future staff. After registering, you will be contacted directly by e-mail or phone, by interested camp directors. It doesn't get any better! For more information about how this site can work for you, click here.

Here are some great tips for summer camp counselors and summer camp jobs, click here.

If you are interested in working at a summer camp, the time is now to register and get started on finding the right employment for you.

Read and learn more on Examiner.

Sue Scheff: Free Science Games to Excite and Inspire Your Kids

60 Free Science Games to Excite and Inspire Your Kids

By this point, everyone realizes that there need not be any delineation between education and entertainment. Parents and teachers alike can supplement a student’s knowledge of biology, geology, physics, chemistry, and other scientific disciplines with literally hundreds of free games available online through a multitude of sources. The following list compiles 60 of the most popular ones, mostly involving some of the more popular subjects among children.

Click here for the entire list.

Sue Scheff: How to file an FTC Complaint

Have you or your child (especially teens) ever been a victim of a scam? With the increased use of the Internet and websites that seem credible however can be questionable, today people of all ages are prone to stumble across some form of fraud or scam. If you do, it is imperative you share it with the Federal Trade Commission.

People can help stop scams, rip-offs and fraudsters by sharing their experience with the FTC. Be sure to watch the informative video below and find out how to file a complaint.

Each time we speak up, we are potentially protecting another person being attacked by a scam. You may be that person, you may be the one that didn't get scammed since someone else took the time to file a complaint and bring recognition to a scam.

If a business doesn't deliver on their promises, identity theft, you were offered a free service and see a charge on your bank account or credit card, report it to the FTC immediately. Help put a stop to shady business and less than ethical services.

The more you get involved, the safer everyone will be.

Watch the video and read more on Examiner.