Cup O’ Joe: Is there REALLY nothing to do?

“I’m bored. There’s nothing to do.” It is a sentiment young people in southern Aroostook County have bemoaned for decades, claiming there was a lack of activities.
It begs the question, “Is there really nothing to do?” or have today’s youth simply lost interest in activities that involve physical activity? I tend to think it is more of the latter.
    Growing up in the 1970s and ‘80s, it was common to get up on a Saturday, hop on your bike and be gone all morning until lunchtime. Then after a quick meal, you were off again until it was time to come in for supper.
We played games of kick ball or wiffle ball in the street (granted it was a very quiet road), or roamed around our neighbors’ yards playing games of hide and seek or whatever other made up game that came along. It wouldn’t be uncommon to see youths riding their bicycles over to the Recreation Building to play a game of pickup basketball with neighboring kids or to ride a skateboard to the local convenience store to buy some “penny candy.”
In the winter, days were filled building snow forts and tunnels, usually at the edge of the yard near the road since that is where the snow piles were the biggest. Countless hours were also spent sliding with toboggans or “flying saucers” in whosever yard had the biggest hill. It didn’t really matter if you knew the person who lived there, because most people didn’t seem to mind.
Times have changed, though, and those types of activities are no longer socially acceptable. I couldn’t imagine my children being out of sight without knowing where they were going or when they would return. Many parents send their youngsters off with cell phones these days so they can contact them whenever they wish. (We haven’t gotten to that point yet, but I am sure it is only a matter of time before our 9-year-old asks for her own phone).
Today, youth activities require more planning on the part of parents, but that doesn’t mean opportunities are not out there. Case in point, this past Sunday, the Houlton Lodge of Elks hosted its annual Soccer Shootout at the high school soccer field with about 40 youngsters participating.
The Elks did a marvelous job keeping things moving along, and even provided hot dogs, chips and drinks for the participants and spectators. They also provided medals for all who participated. Winners from that event will compete this weekend in the regional competition, also being held in Houlton. Come and cheer on our local participants as they try to advance to the state meet.
If sports are not your child’s forte, there are a number of other activities to consider. The Cary Library is a wonderful place for children to spend a Saturday morning discovering new adventures or learning about history. For more information, call the library at 532-1302.
The Houlton Humane Society is always looking for volunteers to help out at the shelter with walking dogs or playing with cats and kittens. It is a good opportunity for those without pets to expose their children to animals in a controlled environment. Call Heather Miller at 532-2862 to inquire how you can help out.
There is plenty to do if one simply looks hard enough.
Joseph Cyr is a staff writer for the Houlton Pioneer Times. He can be reached at pioneertimes @nepublish.com or 532-2281.