Meaningful Summer Activities for Teens: What Actually Helps Them Grow

Not all summer activities help teens grow, even when they look impressive on paper. In this episode, Meredith and Cathy take on the summer advice that drives them crazy and often leads teens and parents in the wrong direction. They unpack why cookie-cutter internships, pay-to-play “prestige” programs, and résumé-padding service trips often miss the point, especially when they are handed to teens rather than earned. Drawing on years of admissions and coaching experience, they explain why real growth comes from embracing discomfort, taking initiative, and doing the work yourself. The conversation explores how parental over-involvement can undermine maturity, why doing nothing all summer is not the same as rest, and how teens can get unstuck when they feel paralyzed by too many options. Listen in for a grounded, honest look at what actually makes a summer meaningful for teens! Key Points From This Episode: [0:01:08] Today’s topic: What you shouldn’t do during your summer break. [0:04:52] Why most internships raise red flags for us. [0:06:15] The difference between earned opportunities and parent-arranged internships. [0:08:38] Our strong stance against pay-to-play academic programs. [0:09:40] Warning signs of expensive leadership programs that exploit parent anxiety. [0:12:39] When international service trips fall flat and when they actually matter. [0:16:57] Doing absolutely nothing all summer, and why that is also a problem. [0:17:34] Why teens shouldn’t choose summer plans based on friends or trends. [0:18:20] Navigating paralysis when teens have multiple interests. [0:20:17] Letting teens do the hard work instead of clearing the path for them. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram