any tips for the long summer holiday PLEASE!

[Chaligny]

This is my first post - I'm new to this site. my 16 yo son is finishing GCSE and will be on holiday for some 2.5 months. I'm working and can only take 2 weeks max. How do we make sure he doesnt completely waste this time? Any tips to find temp work at his age? does anyone know of any good scheme to work or volunteer abroad. do you think he is too young to do something like this? I would love to know what other people are planning or done in previous years and get ideas and tips.
Many thanks in advance!

DD is 14 and has volunteered at a special needs play group since she was 12, they usually run for two weeks in the summer holidays, so your ds is not too young for something like that, but the club dd helps at want references from school etc so you need to get started now.

My DS qualified as a life guard last october and is a casual officer at the local leisure centre and gets work usually once a week.The course for the NPLQ is a week long, so you may find someone who runs that in the summer holidays.
Think DS is going camping with the scouts and he is also planning on walking 70 miles to my mums with his friends, but it depends if he can find somewhere to stay in between.

The Challenge has been specially designed to occupy all Yr 11s after their GCSEs. It's using up £hundreds of thousands of Gvmnt money that could be far better spent on other Youth Service priorities so the current Yr11s might as well take advantage of it.

ds will also be at camp with his Explorers.

Once 16, you can apply for most jobs - recent conversations in both Aldis and Sainsburys told me they are both recruiting in our area. Plus all the little shops, cafes, restaurants.

Doing a course such as training to be a lifeguard can cost upfront, but gives a qualification that increases their earning ability and employability.

I'm watching this thread with great interest... My 17yo son did his GCSEs last year, then did a one year NVQ which finished on 8th May... SO he has been doing nothing for a month already and has another 3 months to go before the college term re-starts! :(

I have looked at all the overseas volunteering opportunities and can't find ANY that take under 18s. If anyone knows of one that does, please let us know...

There are v few jobs here for anyone, let alone an inexperienced young person who's not very self-motivating... He has had 6 hours' casual work helping someone with their garden during the past 2 months... He has applied to Sainsburys, Asda, Tescos and Morrisons, but not even heard back... Since the gov't recently changed the Tax Credit rules so parents need to work over 24hrs not just over 16, there are apparently thousands of existing part-time workers trying to increase their hours...

It all feels a bit bleak for young people at the moment :(

Why can't he waste his time? He's got his whole life to work and live a drudge filled existence

because maybe he'd like some spending money ??? or to start saving up so he can have driving lessons or for car insurance once he's passed ?? or a holiday ?? or even living costs if he's planning to go to college later ?? or even so he can contribute to the household income ? (Don't know OP's circumstances) Or maybe so he's got something to put on his CV, to show he's got some 'get up and go' ??

Seen that challenge link before. It is only open to people in certain areas, not nationwide.
DS1 did the lifeguard course but hasn't managed to get a job. He can't see past the end of his GCSes at the moment though so I am not nagging yet waiting a couple of weeks before pushing him too hard.

No jobs in our area plus we are on holiday for two weeks in August.

Our solution for DD1 - we are employing her as housekeeper - DC's meals, laundry, ironing, household cleaning. Gives us a break and gives her some useful household experience over and above usual chores.

Thank you very much ladies :-)- there is some really useful stuff there. @Secretsquirrels, I'm also trying not to nag until the end of the exam but will be ready with a list of options the day after...@Cybbo, to be honnest he doesnt like being bored and doing nothing. he just lacks a bit of initiative to get stated - but they all do at this age. @bruffin, I think he would enjoy volunteering with a youth or special needs group - I'll look into it but let e know if you have any more tips

This is where DD volunteers but its only east herts

we got sent this through school looks like it may be interesting

Oooo bruffin my DD done this last year, absolutely amazing, they went to The Lake Distrcit for a week and then a week at middkesex Universtity, she had the best time and it boosted her confidence no end as well as making new friends, she is now on the area youth board and training as a mentor for next years youngsters.

That sounds good, not sure if my Ds will have time for it this summer, but he would love it, but thought op would be.interested