It Takes a Village

Teen mentors make a difference in the lives of kids

Last month we discussed the benefits of kids having a trusted adult mentor in their lives—a supportive person other than a parent who can offer guidance and a listening ear. Teens—including those who have benefitted from adult mentorship themselves—can also play a role in supporting and guiding children through summer camps, sports teams, art classes, tutoring, after school clubs and more.

For parents of teens searching for meaningful experiences during summer break, consider mentorship. Many teens are naturals at giving back and sharing the skills and strengths they’ve developed. Not only do younger mentees learn from their leadership, teens who mentor grow too—developing confidence and communication skills, deepening their understanding of relationships and the skills they teach, and more. It’s a win-win for all ages. If the teen in your life enjoys helping others, consider the many opportunities to become a mentor. Read on to hear perspectives from four young mentors.

Qualities of a Good Mentor

Jaden Whitson (19) is a freshman at UC Santa Barbara who created a tutoring service for younger students during the pandemic. “Communication skills are essential,” says Whitson. “Sometimes it takes trying many creative ways of communicating one [idea] before a student understands. Positivity makes students more enthusiastic to learn, which allows them to advocate for themselves when they don’t understand.”

Macy Gipson, a 25-year-old doctoral student graduating from University of Southern California next month, has served as a mentor since junior high. “Two important traits of mentors are empathy and open-mindedness,” she says. “Both are necessary in encouraging others and helping them develop and grow.” Gipson emphasizes that qualities of mentors are diverse—each brings individual strengths to the table.

Gipson’s inspiration for mentorship began with Girl Scouts San Diego, where she first served as a junior counselor at day camps for grades K–5. In high school, she took on deeper leadership roles. “After being a teen counselor at several week-long day camps, I was recruited to train a new set of girls to lead,” Gipson says. “Girl Scouts is all about progression. Good leaders encourage girls to participate in age-appropriate activities that help them build confidence to take ‘the next step,’ which might be leading a meeting or spearheading an event with their troop.”

Mentorship Opportunities

Large organizations such as the San Diego-Imperial Councils of Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts offer a natural step to leadership positions for those who continue into their teens and beyond. Other places to look for opportunities include:

• Libraries (reading programs or homework helpers)

• Summer day camps

(Read “Teens Wanted” for ideas: www.sandiegofamily.com/resources/ summer-camps-and-programs/counselor-in-training)

• Local nonprofits

• Elementary schools (teachers may need help with reading circles, math tutoring, art or music activities)

• Sports teams

• Churches

Mentoring Makes a Lasting Impression

Emma, a sophomore at Mount Everest Academy, teaches weekly Sunday school to preschoolers in San Carlos. She started during the pandemic when the children’s programs at her church shut down. She and her mom made videos acting out Bible stories for Sunday school students. After restrictions lifted, Emma was invested in the kids. “I just naturally continued,” she says. Now, she regularly mentors preschoolers at church by reenacting and reading stories of faith and facilitating crafts and songs. Emma especially loves connecting with children on the autism spectrum who may not be able to fully engage in activities. “It’s fulfilling to see that the one-on-one attention I give makes a difference for students and their families,” she says.

Gipson volunteered as a mentor with Training Communities to Achieve Maximum Potential (TCAMP) during her undergraduate college years. The experience made quite an impact. “The most gratifying part was the growth I saw in my buddy over the years,” she says. “When we first started, he was shy and lived in the shadow of his older brother. I saw his confidence grow as he excelled through second grade, made new friends and established his own identity. The time I spent mentoring at TCAMP taught me a lot about empathy and opened my eyes to a greater need. The experience inspired me to pursue working in underserved communities.”

Mentoring Fosters Unexpected Growth

Jakob, a senior at Carlsbad High School, mentors local elementary school students. “As a 10-year-old, I clearly remember the day I met the ‘Carlsbad Champions,’ high school seniors chosen by the district for their strong academics and diverse extracurricular activities,” he says. “From a young age I yearned to become one of those exceptional leaders—a champion in academics, sports, even at home. This year, I had the honor of becoming a Carlsbad Champion. I lead elementary students in activities and facilitate discussions with tips on making healthy choices. I encourage them to do what they love and use their talents in the best ways possible, just as I was encouraged in fifth grade.”

Whitson was pleasantly surprised by the deeper understanding of math concepts he gained by tutoring others in basic math. “Teaching requires a complete understanding of all material,” he says. “I developed a strong base in algebra that helped in my calculus class, and I did better on the SAT because of tutoring.”

Emma has learned to be patient as a result of mentoring. “I’m a pretty busy person, but I’ve learned to slow down to help students understand the lessons,” she says. “Through mentoring at church, I’ve grown in my faith and I’ve gained leadership, independence and teamwork skills.”

To know your strengths and share them with kids is a great feeling; it’s also highly regarded by college admissions officers. Taking the initiative to volunteer, lead or create an independent mentoring program is a positive way to spend a summer or beyond. It’s also a worthwhile investment in the next generation of young mentors. v

Cherie Gough is a freelance writer and former high school teacher. Find her on IG @ cgoughwrites.