Summer Fun in the Valley ! by Lori Broadbent Summer in West Marin is all about sunshine, adventure, and making memories together — and we are so fortunate to have so many incredible opportunities right here in our own backyard. From beaches and hiking trails to swimming and kayak- ing, there is no shortage of ways for local youth and families to stay active, con- nected, and engaged this summer.
This year, the San Geronimo Valley Community Center Summer Camp is packed with exciting field trips and outdoor adventures. Campers will enjoy beach days at Stinson Beach, Chicken Ranch Beach, and Agate Beach, as well as kayaking adventures at Heart’s Desire Beach. Weekly visits to the Archie Williams Pool help campers stay cool and build con- fidence in the water.
necting with future classmates, becoming familiar with campus life, and learning what to expect as they begin middle school. A special part of the program is the mentorship provided by interns from the Community Center’s Youth Job Train- ing Program — rising 7th and 8th graders who help guide and support incoming students. Participants are able to hear firsthand from current middle schoolers who once participated in the same program, creating a welcoming environment where students can ask questions, ease fears of the unknown, and build confidence before the school year begins. The program wraps up with a memorable day at Stinson Beach, offering one final opportunity for fun, connection, and summer memories. Whether it’s a child’s first time kayaking, learning to swim, hiking local trails, or preparing for middle school, these experiences help create lasting memories and strengthen community connections. We look forward to another season of summer fun in the Valley!
For our youngest community members, Summer Bridge offers a free TK/Kindergarten readiness program designed to support incoming TK and Kindergarten students as they transition into elementary school. Through play, structured activities, and daily routines, students learn the basics of being in a classroom setting while building confidence, independence, and friend- ships with their future classmates. Participants also enjoy swim lessons at the Woo- dacre Improvement Club, making the experience both educational and fun.
We are also incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by beauti- ful open spaces that encourage exploration and connection with nature. Campers spend time hiking through Roy’s Red- woods Preserve and Gary Giacomini Open Space Preserve, experiencing firsthand the forests, trails, and natural beauty that make our community so special. In addition to summer adventures, the Community Center is proud to support youth as they prepare for important transitions. Our Jump Start to Middle School program gives rising 6th graders the opportunity to spend three days con-
Be the Influence by Amanda Sheeren, Marin Healthy Youth Partnership There’s a moment most parents know well. Your teenager is heading out the door to a friend’s house, a party, a neighborhood gathering, and you feel it: that quiet knot of worry. You wonder who’s in charge over there. You wonder what the rules are. You wonder if your own values will hold up against the pull of the crowd. Here’s something worth knowing: your influence is far more powerful than you think. And it starts right inside your own front door. Marin Healthy Youth Partnerships has been working for years to give local parents the research, tools, and community support to do exactly that: create home envi- ronments that protect not just their own children, but also their friends and peers. The Myth of the “Safe” Supervised Drink One of the most persistent misconceptions among well-meaning parents is that allowing teens to drink at home, under adult supervision, teaches responsible hab- its and reduces risk. It feels logical, but science tells a different story. Research published in the Journal on the Study of Alcohol and Drugs found that teens permitted to drink at home under adult supervision are actually more likely to engage in harmful behaviors outside the home, including binge drinking and drunk driving. Early exposure to alcohol in the home, despite the best intentions, tends to lead to more problems, not fewer. There’s another dimension parents may not consider: if you allow minors to drink without informing every parent involved, you are making a decision for someone else’s child, and it is a decision their family may not condone. Not every young person responds to alcohol the same way, and alcohol poisoning, sexual assault, and Marin County has given parents and neighbors a powerful tool: the Social Host Ordinance. Every city in Marin, as well as the county itself, has adopted this law. It holds adults accountable when two or more minors possess or consume alcohol, cannabis, or other substances on private property, regardless of whether the adult provided the substances or was even aware the gathering was happening. First enacted in 2006 to address underage drinking, the ordinance has since been expanded to include cannabis and other controlled substances. Penalties are real: depending on the jurisdiction, a violation can result in criminal misdemeanor other dangers don’t disappear simply because an adult is present. Understanding the Law: Social Host Ordinance
charges that appear on a permanent record, or civil fines ranging from $750 to $2,500. Restorative justice options have also been added in recent years. Importantly, the law doesn’t just apply to parties you host. If you leave town and your teenager throws a gathering, you can still be held responsible. Parents are legally accountable for what happens in their home until their child turns 18. This isn’t intended to frighten families. It’s intended to reinforce something most Marin parents already believe: that every adult in this community shares responsi- bility for keeping our young people safe. Your Rules Ripple Outward Research consistently shows that teens with parents who set clear, consistent expec- tations around substance use are more likely to delay early use (which is associated with the highest risk) . When family support is strong and the rules are firm, the message sinks in, even when teenagers seem not to be listening. Think about your child’s closest friends. Every household in your circle that holds the same line reinforces that line for every kid who walks through their door. A single family that says “not here” quietly protects the teenagers of a dozen other families too. When enough homes take that stance together, it stops feeling like a restriction and starts feeling like a shared community norm. That cultural shift is exactly what Marin Healthy Youth Partnerships is working toward. You Don’t Have to Do This Alone One of the hardest parts of parenting a teenager isn’t setting the rules. It’s feeling like you’re the only one who has them. It can be genuinely uncomfortable to call another parent before a sleepover and ask about their family rules. Marin Healthy Youth Partnerships offers practical tools to help, including parent- to-parent conversation scripts that give you the words for exactly those moments. Because when parents talk to each other openly, something shifts. The burden lifts. The norms change. You can also let your neighbors know when you’ll be out of town. If you suspect a party is happening somewhere, you can call your local police department anony- mously. And if there’s ever an emergency, call 911, even if underage drinking was involved. Officers take good-faith efforts to address an emergency into account. Marin is a community that shows up for its young people. Keeping our homes substance-free, and saying so out loud, is one of the most meaningful ways to do it To learn more, explore the research, or find conversation scripts, visit btimarin.org , an initiative of Marin Healthy Youth Partnerships mhyp.org .
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