Barnard Community Center
415 N. Barnard St.
517/546-6025
Providing a socially safe and healthy environment for
all middle school and high school students
From the very beginning, the Howell Teen Center has been a place where teens can come to gather with friends, interact with adults on relatively equal footing, gain recognition for their efforts and skills, make choices about what they will do and how they will do it, all in a place that is teen friendly and teen driven. Led by a wonderfully creative and enthusiastic staff, the Howell Teen Center is located right in the heart of downtown Howell at the Barnard Community Center,
415 N. Barnard Street. It is THE place for middle school and high school students to hang out and socialize, take classes, play games, watch movies, get their homework done, play ping pong or pool, and much, much more. Our center is
committed to being an important part of our community - it was the FIRST one opened in Livingston County.
The Howell Teen Center’s mission is to promote healthy
development of teens in Livingston County. This is achieved by providing an environment designed to develop positive social skills and social competence, foster moral
development, and enhance self-esteem - all of which are related to reduced risk-taking behavior, academic success, and healthy interpersonal relationships.
How to Join
Joining the Howell Teen Center is easy…. parental
permission is the first step to participation. Stop in and pick up a short form and liability waiver, fill it in and return it with parent’s signature and you’ll be a part of the Teen Center. Daily admission to the Teen Center is FREE. There is no membership fee, no annual fee, no participation fee during our regular hours of operation. (Additional costs could apply to special events, late nights and trips.)
Howell Teen Center Video and Internet Policy Waiver
Howell Teen Center Waiver, Rules, and Emergency Card
Howell Teen Center Permission/Information Slips
Hours
The Teen Center is open on the first day of school in
September and closes for the summer after the last day of school in June. Regular hours of operation are 2:30pm-6:00pm Monday through Friday. The Teen
Center follows the Howell Public School holiday and
inclement weather closure schedule.
Teen Center Features
- Wireless Internet and Internet Cafe (available for homework and social networking)
- Game room with ping pong, foosball, pool table
- Movie room with large screen TV to watch your favorite DVD’s
- XBox360, PS 2, Gamecube, XBox, PS3
- Special events and planned activities each week
- Snack shop and concessions
- Outdoor basketball hoops, soccer fields, running track
- Games, puzzles, magazines
- Music room with guitars, drums and piano
Transportation
If you need transportation to the Teen Center, the L.E.T.S. transportation system can provide you with a ride from your school. Flyers explaining the transportation procedure are available at the Teen Center, and at the main office of Parker Middle School and Highlander Way Middle School or by
calling L.E.T.S. at 517/546-6600.
Keep In Touch
The best way to know what is happening is to come to the Teen Center daily. If you would like to stay connected
virtually, check out our monthly calendar on Facebook for
ongoing activities - become a “fan” of the Howell Teen
Center!
The 415: Teen Advisory Board
This advisory board is for students in 8th to 12th grade. The advisory board will be completely run by Teen elected officials and will be supervised by the Howell Teen Center Director. All are welcomed and it is free to join - we just ask for 100% participation! This is an opportunity for the youth in our community to become involved in the planning and organizing of events happening at the Teen Center such as late nights, fundraisers, and the Last Day Breakaway! Teens on the advisory board will be asked to volunteer and support other local events throughout the community. Meetings will be held every other Tuesday from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Members of this board will have opportunities to join with other Teen Committees (run through other Parks & Recreation Youth Programs) in Southeast Michigan to plan state-wide events such as the annual Youth Symposium. You can pick up a registration form at the Howell Teen Center. Come out and help us give back to our community and take away the stereotypes that come with the word “teen.”
Mystery Trip -
April 19, 2013
Participants will be kept in complete secret of this trip! During the week leading up to the event, participants will be given clues and a list of items to bring on the Teen Center Facebook Page. On the day of the event, participants will load the bus and off they go! Parents - you will be notified ahead of time where the trip will be, we just ask you keep it a secret and not ruin the fun! Like us on Facebook for updated information!
Late Night -
May 3
This year is no different than years past; the Teen Center “Late Nights” will be held once a month - typically on the first Friday of the month. The Teen Center is open extended hours from 6:00pm-10:00pm and there will be a small fee collected for each Late Night to cover food and programs for the evening. The late nights are sure to be a “don’t want to miss out on” event! Our talented Teen Center Directors are always coming up with new and exciting programs - but don’t think they forget about the classics! Registration forms will be available at the Teen Center at least one week prior to the late nights. Please make sure you register before the day of the event so our staff can properly plan for the activities and food.
Step into Summer 24 Hour Walk-A-Thon
The Howell Teen Center is getting out and getting active! This 24 hour fundraising event will take place on May 4th and May 5th at noon. All proceeds will go to the Howell Teen Center to continue our effors in providing a safe and healthy environment for ALL middle school and high school students. Click here for more information.
Teen Survival Retreat -
May 11, 2013
Teens from across Southeast Michigan will come together with one thing on their mind - WHO WILL SURVIVE! This event will take place at Kensington Metropark from 10:00am-4:00pm. The teens will have to work together in teams to canoe to a directed location and build a campfire in order to “survive.” Professional staff is on hand for proper supervision and safety.
Transportation, lunch, and a guaranteed lifetime experience are all included. You must register by May 7.
Site: Kensington Metropark
Cost: $30 per person
57853 1 day SAT 5/11 10:00am-4:00pm
1st Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta - June 9, 2013
Close your eyes and take a minute to picture this...a warm, sunny day on the open water, the wind in your hair, and captain of your very own Cardboard Boat! Let your imagination run wild by joining the Howell Area Parks & Recreation Authority and the Howell Teen Center in the 1st Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta. Contestants will be asked to construct boats that are completely made of cardboard and duct tape! The event will consist of two “flights” - a teen flight and an adult flight. The teen flight is for ages 12-17 and the adult flight is for ages 18 and up. Awards will be given to the top three teams in each flight - but don’t
forget about the Titanic Award! Sink or float, it’s going to be a great time!
Site: Howell City Park (Corner of Thompson & Barnard Streets)
Teen Flight (ages 12-17)
57260 Guppy Division (1-2 people/boat) $15/boat
57261 Shark Division (3-5 people/boat) $30/boat
Adult Flight (ages 18 & up)
57262 Guppy Division (1-2 people/boat) $15/boat
57263 Shark Division (3-5 people/boat) $30/boat
57264 Whale Division (6-10 people/boat) $45/boat
L.I.T. (Leaders in Training)
Come and join a seven week mentoring program with the Howell Teen Center. High School students ranging in ages from 14-18 will have an opportunity to explore new skills and develop existing ones through team building, individual challenges, and fun! By the end of the seven weeks participants will be stronger leaders to their peers, community, and most importantly - to themselves.
Site: Barnard Community Center
Cost: $50 per person
57851 7 weeks T 6/11-7/30 5:30pm-7:30pm
*No class 7/2
The 415: Ultimate Sports Extravaganza
Tired of the same old sports and games? Well, get up off the couch and join the Howell Teen Center for a summer of sports! You most definitely will not see any of these on a highlight show! Are you ready for some CABBAGE? Sign up for all 5 weeks for a reduced price and have a great time this summer with the Howell Teen Center!
Call 517/546-0693 for the reduced price.
$50/$100
Week 1 - Ultimate Cabbage
This one is a Howell Teen Center favorite! Ultimate Cabbage is our fun twist to popular games like Ultimate Frisbee or Air Force Football, except we take out the frisbee and football, and replace it with a cabbage!
Site: Barnard Community Center
$15/$21/$30
50628 1 day W 6/12 12:00pm-2:00pm
Week 2 - Ultimate Cardboard Fortress Battle
Remember back in the day when playing with a cardboard box was more fun than the gift that came inside it? We do too! Teams will build epic cardboard forts to defend their flag in our fun new version of capture the flag!
Site: Barnard Community Center
$15/$21/$30
50629 1 day W 6/19 12:00pm-2:00pm
Week 3 - Broomball
Tired of mom/dad telling you to grab a broom and sweep up your mess? Well how about you grab a broom and join the teen center for a popular twist on floow hockey!
Site: Barnard Community Center
$15/$21/$30
50631 1 day W 6/26 12:00pm-2:00pm
Week 4 - Ostringo Hunt
Native to Howell, the Ostringo is half ostrich, half flamingo, and is commonly mistaken as lawn decorations. We are lucky enough to have a trained Ostringo Hunter on staff at the Howell Teen Center and he will be guiding teams of teens around the city in search of this illusive creature. This is a team scavenger hunt around Howell. Clues will be given. Evidence will be found. the ostringo will be caught! Lunch will be provided in the form of a cookout at Howell City Park once the hunt has been completed! (Ostringos are not on the menu).
Site: Barnard Community Center
$15/$30
50632 1 day W 7/10 12:00pm-2:00pm
Cedar Point -
August 7, 2013
Cedar Point Amusement Park/Resort, known around the globe as the leader in innovative coaster thrills, will take guests on a winged ride unlike anything else at the famed park when it debuts its newest roller coaster, GateKeeper, in 2013. Located in the front of the park, GateKeeper will forever change the landscape of Cedar POint Peninsula. This mammoth ride will be the longest winged roller coaster and boast the longest drop of any winged roller coaster on the planet. Trip includes transportation and admission to the park.
55642 $99 per person
Teen Center Open House -
August 29, 2013
It’s that time of year again - to say goodbye to summer and hello to school, which means the HOWELL TEEN CENTER IS BACK! On August 29 from 6:00pm-8:00pm we are giving parents and students an opportunity before school beings to see what’s new and meet our staff! Remember - with our creative staff this open house will be anything but ordinary! This will also be a great time to fill out the registration paperwork and be squared away for the first day of Teen Center!
1 day TH 8/29 6:00pm-8:00pm
Click here to see photos of teen center
Click here for the current calendar of activities!
Staff
Tim Church - Teen Center Supervisor
Jeff Dunham - Teen Center Supervisor
Rental Information
Have a birthday, sports team, or special occasion to celebrate in a teen-type facility? The Howell Teen Center is available for rent. Substantial discounts to nonprofit and charitable organizations that cater to teens. Call 517/546.0693 for more information or click here to go to our room rental guidelines and application form.
Internet Cafe
In 2008 , the Howell Teen Center was blessed with a wonderful opportunity to create an internet cafe in two additional rooms at the Center. Many organizations and local businesses stepped up to the plate and helped make this a reality including Kelly Hansen Interiors & State Street Studios, Irish Construction, Zimmerman Masonry, the City of Howell, Dinning Electric, Pittsburgh Paints, Taylor Moving & Storage, Lattitude CommTech, Abovo Visual Communications, Dennis Gendron, Hunter Douglas Blinds, Buffalo Wild Wings, CMC Cabinetry, Howell Art & Frame, and most notably Citizen's Insurance, who not only contributed $14,500 but also made an in-kind donation of their employee's time to complete the work. This has truly been an incredible "community build" project.
Click here to see pictures of the Grand Opening and the Internet Cafe
Donations Accepted
As an organization that provides all memberships and programs for free, the Teen Center relies on fund-raising events, grants, and private and corporate donations in order to be able to provide its services. We hope that you will help us by making a tax-deductible contribution today.
Supported in part by the Livingston County United Way.
