There are many spaces specifically for adults, and some for kids like playgrounds, but if you’re a middle or high schooler, it can be difficult to find places to hang out with friends and make new ones. Schools often try to fill the gap, but teens might be tired of spending more time at school. There are a few places in Salem and Keizer working to fill that gap with events and support specifically for teenagers that are fun and welcoming.
Radness Ensues
3837 River Road North, Keizer
Radness Ensues is “an all-ages community center that organically grew out of the Button Shoppe. The center focuses on music, art, peer support, and youth empowerment.” Teens can show up to play music or make art, attend classes, support groups, and use the event space. The space grew out of a desire to be a place for youth who struggled to find a safe community center for themselves. The leaders of Radness Ensues are particularly attuned to serving youth who face poverty and homelessness, or who might need help accessing mental health supports.
Wednesday through Saturday, Radness Ensues is open from 11 a.m. onward, and youth can stop in to make a button and just hang out. Some of the recent events they offer include a sewing club, a reptile day, themed nights featuring karaoke, games, and crafting, and a standing Thursday night open mic from 6-9 p.m., open to all ages and all performance types.
On Sundays, people of all ages are invited from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. to “Make sum noiz” and come and play instruments, make their own, or bring instruments from home to make music with. Sunday evenings are typically musical performances, but one upcoming Sunday night will feature a Zombie Prom with three spooky bands and makeup artists on site to help you become the best zombie version of yourself. All ages are welcome at this event, but anyone under 14 must have a parent or guardian with them.
Salem Drop
246 State Street, Salem
The Salem Drop “is a safe space for young people to feel heard, supported, and capable of creating change.” The staff is all youth support specialists, trained to help young people build skills and take advantage of opportunities to navigate the challenges of young adulthood. The Salem Drop offers different activities each weekday, including Mindful Mondays, Tournament Tuesdays (video games and pool), Work of Art Wednesdays, and Throwback Thursdays (music and snacks). Fridays are for learning musical instruments.
In addition to the various events, teens can rely on the Salem Drop for a range of other supports. They offer homework help, resume help, practice job interviews, peer support, leadership groups, and opportunities for activism and outreach at the local and state levels. Finally, it’s just a fun place to hang out, with snacks, video game consoles, a pool table, plus a computer lab and 3D printers.
The Teen Scene at the Salem Library
585 Liberty Street SE, Salem
The Teen Scene, located on the second floor of the Salem Library, is a space specifically set up for middle and high school-aged kids, open 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, and during all library open hours on weekends. The library also offers a teen advisory board that allows kids to plan and help with library events, especially those related to kids and teens. They also help raise money for the library, decorate and give feedback on the Teen Scene. The Teen Scene has seating at tables and comfy chairs for sixth-graders to those who have just graduated from high school, to play some of the many board games, video games, and puzzles. There are also musical instruments to play while you’re in the space.
For those who love crafting, the Teen Scene often has crafting events. Some are to complete a specific project, while others are open-ended; you can bring your own project or start one there. One upcoming workshop will be sewing a Franken-stuffie, while another will teach you how to draw in Kawaii style. In the summer, there are often other kinds of events, from improv workshops to murder-mystery parties.
Teens with a variety of interests will find something to appeal to them at these three locations. If you’re looking to do something focused on your teen but involving the whole family, Radness Ensues is a great option. For something after school, the Salem Drop is a good option. And finally, if you all like a trip to the library, the Teen Scene is a place for your teen to go while other members of the family explore areas of the library that are meant for them.
