A partnership between the Fernley ComPASS organization and Lyon County Human Services is keeping Fernley youth busy this summer with the Adventures in Exploration Summer Teen Program.

Ages 11 to 15 from Fernley and Silver Springs are welcome to join in the activities planned through out the summer. So far, approximately 30 teens are participating.

The program began on June 17 and features specifically outlined activities for each week.

During Week One, golf was introduced. Pat Christianson, Fernley High School golf coach, provided lessons. Afterward, a session on leadership followed with a discussion about personal characteristics using the "Winnie the Pooh" characters as examples. Discussion about the good and challenging characteristics of each character was held, and the teens chose the model most like themselves.

"We try to work in some leadership and mentoring," said program director Joellen Hines.

Week two was Art Week, when youth were introduced to cartooning. Chris Wren, a Lyon County Parks Department employee, drew basic mural outlines on two ball walls at Fernley Elementary School,. Then the group filled in the colors to complete a scene depicting the FES wolf mascot howling in front of the Sierra Nevada mountains on one wall and the school's logo on the other.

"I love working with the kids," said Wren, who also works with Camp Tumbleweeds, the Lyon County Humans Services program for children from kindergarten to fifth grade.

On Thursday, the group went on a field trip to the Nevada Museum of Art to see the Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit.

Week three will consist of cooking, including barbecue and outdoor food preparation.

Week four is designated for sewing and making funky accessories.

Week five is Sports Week, when youth will participate in Crazy Olympics

Week six, the final week, is Drama Week, titled "Acting Up with Shakespeare."

Pick up registration forms at Lyon County Human Services. The program is held at Fernley Intermediate School from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 or 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for a cost of $25 per week.

Some scholarships funded by the Fernley Coalition are available for a discount of half-price. The applicant must write a note describing the reason he or she needs the scholarship.

Transportation from Silver Springs is provided by county staff.

For information, contact Lyon County Human Services, 460 Main St., Fernley, or call Joellen Hines at 575-1703 or e-mail jhines@lyon-county.org.