7/15/2013
Two in three teens ages 14-18 (63%) expect to work this summer, according to Junior Achievement. Many of these workers are first-time employees, as only 38% say they had a summer job in the past.
Nearly three in four (73%) teen workers are earning between $7.25 and $10 per hour. This salary report may be optimistic. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 21% of teen workers in 2012 earned the minimum wage or lower, which is $7.25 nationwide.
Teens may be digital natives, but their job search tactics also use old-fashioned boots-to-the-ground methods. Teens’ top three methods of finding work are networking through their parents’ connections (47%), using online job postings (33%), and looking in stores for “now hiring” signs (32%).
Teens are also future-focused. Among those working this summer, gaining real-life work experience is the top benefit of summer employment, though salary helps. Only 5% of teens working this summer planned to seek an internship in a field of interest to them.
Hitting the Road
More than eight in 10 families (83%) will take at least one overnight trip of more than 100 miles during the summer months, according to Family Fun magazine and Choice Hotels. The vast majority (90%) of these trips will happen by car. Most families prefer driving over other traveling options for the affordability, flexibility, and family bonding time. More than one in two (54%) say driving is less expensive than flying. And 40% say driving gives them more control over their schedule, the ability to take as much luggage as they want, and the ability to take in scenery along the way.
At the same time, getting stuck in traffic (57%) is the biggest pet peeve for vacationing families traveling by car, followed by drivers who are rude or dangerous (39%), car trouble (36%), and children complaining about the length of the drive (29%). Few (10%) are unhappy about the way their spouse drives.
Most families (56%) say technology makes road trips more fun, and 61% plan to take three to five devices with them, particularly smartphones (68%), GPS navigation systems (49%), laptops (42%), and tablets (37%).
Almost three in four families (73%) pack snacks and drinks during their road trip. Families also take part in traditional car games, including I Spy (27%), singing along to music (20%), and telling funny family stories (18%).
Nearly three in four families (73%) cite affordability as a top consideration in selecting a hotel while on vacation, followed by free breakfast (50%), a pool (49%), and a convenient location near attractions and restaurants (48%). Few families (8%) care about room service when selecting a hotel for their family vacation.
Meanwhile, more than 5 million kids attend camp during the summer months, according to the American Camp Association. Camps remain popular destinations for children and teens.
Camps are adapting to the evolving interests of today’s campers. Traditional activities remain popular: 87% of camps offer recreational swimming, 78% team building, 67% camping skills, 48% climbing/rappelling, 47% community service, 38% horseback riding, 28% wilderness trips, and 23% farming and ranching.
However, in the past two years, camps have added programs that today’s campers favor more, including adventure camps (41%), family camps (35%), environmental education programs (31%), and gardening programs (28%). Other programs that are emerging this summer include college planning programs; health, wellness, and fitness programs; community service programs; and cooking with food from the camp’s garden.
Camps balance between being plugged in and disconnected. The vast majority (86%) have websites, and 80% use social networking sites for marketing purposes. At the same time, 84% use handwritten correspondence (letters/postcards) as a means of communication between campers and parents, and 74% forbid the use of personal electronic devices.
Bikinis, Dork Diaries, and Despicable Me 2
“Chilling at the pool” is tween girls’ favorite summer activity (37%), according to FPgirl Market Insights Program. They also enjoying relaxing at the beach (28%), traveling to fun places with their families (22%), and going to summer camp (10%). Few tween girls (3%), however, enjoying visiting their grandparents.
At the pool, tween girls want to show off their new bathing suits (69%) and sunglasses (13%). Most (54%) prefer to wear a bikini, over a tankini, one-piece, or swim shirt and bottoms.
Universal Studio’s Despicable Me 2 is the movie they most want to see this summer. Simon and Schuster’s Dork Diaries is the book series they are most excited to read during the summer months.
CONTACTS AND CONNECTIONS: American Camp Association, Deb Bialeschki, Director of Research, 5000 State Road, 67 North, Martinsville, IN 46151; 800-428-2267, x315; dbialeschki@acacamps.org; www.acacamps.org.
Choice Hotels, Scott Carman, 10750 Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20901; 301-592-6361; scott_carman@choicehotels.com; www.choicehotels.com.
Family Fun magazine, Amanda Cortese, 805 Third Ave., New York, NY 10022; 212-551-7087; amanda.cortese@meredith.com; www.meredith.com.
FPgirl Market Insights, FPgirl.com, Andy Komack, Program Director, 500 Cummings Center, #4100, Beverly, MA 01915; 978-232-3900; support@fashionplaytes.com; www.fashionplaytes.com.
Junior Achievement, Stephanie Bell, One Education Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80906; 719-540-6171; sbell@ja.org; www.ja.org.
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