Teens Fill Their Summer Days With Jobs, Activities

Now that school is out, many young people across town have found summer jobs while others are occupying their time by frequenting local shops, or just hanging out.

Alex Prestera, 18, just graduated from Newtown High School, and this summer is working at the Ferris Acres Creamery at 144 Sugar St.

“I like this job a lot because I get to meet a lot of people from different towns,” she said one recent day.

The Creamery, as it is commonly called, attracts throngs of crowds at night, many customers from Newtown and surrounding towns.

Because this area does not have a bevy of other local haunts that cater to youths, many find themselves gathering at their friends’ houses to pass the time and enjoy these months of freedom.

“We go to wings night at Buffalo Bills in Monroe,” Prestera said. “But usually we just go to my friends house and hang out around a bonfire.”

Prestera and her friends have also been using the summer weather to take advantage of Newtown’s bucolic surroundings.

“We’ll also go hiking a lot,” she said, “usually at Roxbury Falls, or sometimes we go swimming at Eichler’s Cove.”

Prestera said she also is looking forward to attending the at the end of July.

At Treadwell Park, some high school students spend their days working at the day camp held there, which provides summertime entertainment and educational experiences to children ages 4 to 10.

On Thursday, the counselors led the children in a game of kickball.

“I like being with the kids and being able to get out in the sun,” said Newtown High School junior Emily Paloian, who was waiting on line in the kicking rotation.

Co-worker and friend Victoria Summerlin, who recently graduated from Newtown High School, said she was thankful to have the job.

“This is a great summer job to have,” Summerlin said. “When I’m not working, though, I like to catch up on sleep, and visit my friends and family.”

Noelle Benson, Cassie Elkstrom, and Libby DiDomizio also work at Treadwell Day Camp. They said they are interested in pursuing a career that involves working with children, and that this job was a great way to gain experience in the field.

“This experience has taught us responsibility,” Benson said. “And it will definitely help us grow as we move into our careers.”

Correction: Treadwell Camp is for children between the ages of 4 and 10-years-old. An earlier version of this article listed the incorrect age range.