The Young Leader

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Water Skiing vs. Wakeboarding

If you enjoy waterskiing then you should most definitely try wakeboarding. Wakeboarding is much harder and more complicated than waterskiing, but incredibly fulfilling once you get the hang of it! Plus, after you know how to waterski, then wakeboarding will be easier to learn.

Waterskiing has skis similar to snow skis, but much wider than snow skis and while they are on the water, they’re being towed down the boat. When you use water skiis, every time you fall, you have to strap on the skiis again, no matter how tight you make them. So don’t panic! This is part of the sport.

Wakeboarding also has one thick shorter board for wakeboarding. Wakeboarding is on one board, to which you are strapped very tightly so there is no need to strap them on every time you fall. So much easier! Wakeboarding tends to be more sideways in nature while gliding across the water, so your views are less direct (but hey, when you’re on the water, the view from all sides is probably spectacular). Waterskiing is facing straightforward, so it seems much easier in that respect. However, some people believe that wakeboarding is easier than waterskiing in that your legs are not trying to go in opposite directions.

Either way, both have ropes and a handle to hold onto while going through the water. They also both require a boat to pull them as well as plenty of room to move through the water. They are most commonly used in various lakes across the country. Rivers tend to be too narrow to really get to move around much. To take part in either waterskiing or wakeboarding, purchasing a life jacket beforehand is an incredibly smart precaution, especially for your first time on the water. Summer is the perfect time to practice both and decide which one is more fun and more enjoyable for you personally.

Contributed by Author

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Say What Needs to be Said – A Bold, Remarkable Teenager Takes a Stand

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High school can be a very difficult, stressful time. It can also be an opportunity where you find yourself and what you truly believe in. You may even inspire others along the way.

There’s no way around it, school can be a grind. Even if you don’t personally care about your grades and college applications, you may gradually start to feel the weight of other people’s expectations. Your school, teachers, parents, friends, family, and pop culture can all add to this. It might all feel heavier than a freshman backpack.

One brave and insightful teenager from my high school—and this was 5 years ago—wrote an article questioning all of this. For us, our school had a dominant workaholic, constantly busy high school culture. We were also strictly grouped by class level: SP, CP, AE, and H/AP. Don’t know what these mean? Well, I still don’t even know. They were just labels.

My classmate asked all of us, “Why? Why should we feel pressured into taking all higher level classes? Maybe I don’t want to spend almost all of my time after school on homework. Maybe I have to support my family by working a job. Maybe I would rather spend time with my loved-ones and friends over grinding away to get into a ‘good’ college. But what really bothers me is the common reaction I get from people about my classes. When I tell them I’m in CP math, people seem to think it’s because I’m not smart enough to be in AE or Honors. Honestly, why should we all feel pressured to overwhelm ourselves with work and extracurriculars?”

What you see above was not taken from the article they wrote; I didn’t actually even read it. Many of my classmates and I heard about it through our friends. We found it compelling and powerful because it was something many of us were thinking about, but we never said anything. They did.

Maybe your current school or community has a different issue that’s been unacknowledged. Few people have the courage to candidly address the most important matters everyone’s thinking about. You don’t have to be smart, athletic, attractive, privileged, or in any way exceptional to do this.

If you do, though, then you have my genuine admiration. And who knows, people you never even met may still think about your meaningful contribution 5, 10, or 20 years from now.

Just speak up.

 

Contributed by Nick Fochtman

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5 Must-Read Tips For Every Teen Visiting Mexico

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Mexico is an amazing country, and it is one of the top vacation spots in the world—especially when spring break rolls around. It has a lively culture, beautiful beaches, and who can forget the delicious food? Seriously…the food will change your life. It’s that good.

But, as with any foreign country, traveling to Mexico requires a heightened sense of cautiousness, particularly for teens and college students who are visiting for spring break. Here are 3 must-read tips to remember:

1. Get An International Data Plan

International data rates are no joke. A few texts or calls could easily run your bill through the roof. Talk to your mobile carrier and sign up for a temporary international data plan to use while you’re out of the country. Your parents will thank you for not breaking the bank.

2. Learn The Basic Lingo

One of the trickiest parts of traveling abroad is the inevitable language barrier. So if you’re going to Mexico, then it’s important that you brush up on some very basic spanish terms, phrases, and questions. This will help you navigate your trip with confidence, and will also lead to a more meaningful experience if you’re able to converse with the locals. Here’s a list you can print out and keep with you on your trip.

3. Stick With Your Group

We all know getting lost sucks, but getting lost in a foreign country when you’re supposed to be having fun. . .now that’s just terrible, not to mention very dangerous. So, even if your friends or group members are doing one activity, and you want to do something else, just wait until you can all go together. Don’t ever isolate yourself or wander off alone—it’s just not safe.

4. Wear Sunscreen!

Your parents say it. Your tour guides say it. Heck, every travel article out there probably says it, but yet some people still don’t wear sunscreen when visiting Mexico. Listen folks, the sun in Mexico is much stronger and more intense than it is in the states, and that means you can get a bad sunburn in a fraction of the time. If you fry your skin to death on the first day, you’ll be miserable and in pain the rest of your trip, and nobody wants that. Get a strong SPF, and wear it. ALL. THE. TIME.

5. Bottles And Cans Only

Many visitors don’t realize that the tap water in Mexico, and subsequently the ice, is not always safe to drink. It’s kind of a gamble, really, because some folks can drink it and be fine, while others end up with food-poisoning-like symptoms. So the best thing to do is stick to bottled or canned water, sodas, tea, etc. Even if the price is a bit higher, it’s definitely worth it to know that your tummy isn’t headed for turmoil.

If you follow these five tips, and always remember that safety is the most important thing, you’ll have a blast in Mexico and you’ll be counting the seconds until you can return for a second visit!

Contributed by Ashley Welter

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5 Things You Can (And Should) Do Your First Summer Before College

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The summer after you graduate high school is a very special time. You’ve closed one chapter of your life, and you’re about to embark on the next—college. Many teens are so happy to finally have some time off that they just want to sleep or veg out for the summer. But, trust me, if you do that, you’ll regret it.

Take my advice, and make the most out of your summer, because once college starts, your life will be dedicated to school once again. Here are some fun ideas for your first summer before college!

1. Spend Quality Time With Friends And Family

If you’re going away to college, then the next time your friends and family will be all be together again probably won’t be until Thanksgiving, or even Christmas. So use this summer to pack in some quality time with the people you care about the most.

2. Travel Abroad

There are lots of programs out there that are designed specifically for teens and college students. If you’ve always wanted to travel abroad, but never had the time to actually do it, then the summer before college is the perfect time to take that journey.

3. Volunteer

Whether you volunteer for a local charity in your hometown, or a cause in another country, you’ll be fulfilled knowing that you volunteered your time and efforts to helping others.

4. Take Short Trips

Short trips are awesome because they don’t take a whole lot of planning, and the travel expenses are minimal compared to long vacations. So if there’s a city or landmark within a few hours of your house, then gather up some friends and go for a day trip.

5. Be Spontaneous

Spontaneity and summertime are one in the same, because the weather is nice, and there are always new and fun activities to try. You should certainly take advantage of this before you have to buckle down and hit the books in the fall.

There are tons of different things you can do the summer before college, but the most important thing to remember is that this time is precious and you don’t want to waste it. So get out there and have some fun—you’ll be so glad you did!

Contributed by Ashley Welter

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Pre-Trip Checklist For Teens Studying Abroad

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Going abroad sometime soon? Good for you! It’s a very exciting time, especially in the weeks before you embark on your journey. You’re nervous, excited, scared, and maybe even having second thoughts. But trust me, that’s just cold feet, and it’s completely normal.

You are leaving the country, and with that, you’re jumping out of your comfort zone. Don’t let your nerves get in the way — you’re going to have an amazing time, and there’s a good chance this trip may even change your life! So let loose, have fun, and make sure you follow the tried and true pre-trip checklist!

  1. Make sure your passport is valid through the end of your trip
  2. Make copies of your passport, driver’s license, and any other identification
  3. Obtain travelers insurance if necessary
  4. Make sure all paperwork and documents are signed and processed with your travel abroad program
  5. If you’re taking classes abroad, make sure you’re enrolled and ready to start
  6. Provide your parents and/or guardians with the name, address, and phone number of where you’ll be residing during your trip
  7. Do not, and I mean DO NOT over-pack
  8. Research the climate of your destination so you can be sure to bring appropriate clothes
  9. Be 100% sure of what you are, and are not allowed to bring into the country (every country has different regulations)
  10. Pack for comfort, not for style
  11. Leave plenty of room in your luggage to bring home souvenirs, etc.
  12. Get all required medical checkups, vaccinations, etc. before leaving the U.S.
  13. Buy a journal so you can document your travel experiences
  14. Purchase an international data plan for your cell phone
  15. Schedule weekly calls or online chats with your friends and family back home  – but don’t forget the time difference.

This checklist will help you out a lot, and as long as you’re prepare for your trip and all the amazing experiences you’re about to have, you’re good to go!

Contributed by Ashley Welter

 

 

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