Teen Center Explores Ways To Keep Kids Engaged In Manhattan Beach

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — With Rec Day Camp for kids ages 6-12 in full swing, staff in the Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Department want to continue to bring fun, engaging activities to the teens in MB. To that end, staff is opening the Teen Center at Manhattan Heights Community Center for a small and short gathering from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Friday (tomorrow, June 26) to test COVID-19 protocols and see if there's a way to have an in-person get together at the Teen Center one day a week, said David Ibarra, recreation coordinator, youth and teen programs. The Teen Center's last day of operation was March 13 and Ibarra told MB Patch the kids are eager to see each other.

"It's just really unfortunate that the teens haven't been able to hang out at the Teen Center," he said. "They just want to be together, see each other and be together in the flesh." Friday's hours will be a test to see how well the youths are able to maintain social distance, wear face masks and hang out. If the pilot day goes well, Ibarra said, they will ask Los Angeles County for permission to open the Teen Center one or two days a week.

On Friday, the Teen Center will be limited to 25 youths and Ibarra asks for advance reservations for pizza planning as well as space planning. The Teen Center has been housing furniture and equipment and does not have all of its usual space, which means the number of kids allowed to participate is limited. To make a reservation for Friday, call or email Jared Gordon, Teen Center program supervisor, at (310) 877-0514 or jaredgordon@citymb.info. Lunch is at 1 p.m. and each teen will receive a personal-size pizza, said Ibarra. There is no charge to attend the Teen Center for this pilot day. Manhattan Heights is at 1600 Manhattan Beach Boulevard.