"Some kids do dumb stuff when they have too much time on their hands," said Zaavon Campbell, of Farrell. But this 17-year-old and other teens were kept much too busy to get into trouble this summer thanks to a program through Career Link of Sharon and West Central Job Partnership.

The program, Career Awareness Rewards Youth, aims to teach 14- to 18-year-olds who are still in high school about careers and job skills through workshops and paid hands-on experience.

"All the workshops during the school year teach them job readiness skills, which they use in the summer program work experience," said Christine Mondok, an employment caseworker with Community Action Partnership of Mercer County, through Career Link.

The year-round program is state and federally funded through the Workforce Investment Act. It helps teens prepare for post-secondary education, the armed forces or employment. "Everything's geared toward that," Mrs. Mondok said.

"What we try to teach them is good work ethics, like being prompt, respectful of others and teamwork," said Sheila Biro, an employment and training special youth coordinator for West Central Job Partnership. "They get experience with community service, a day of field trips to explore different careers and schools where they can attend and also soft skills, like how to deal with peer pressure and drug awareness."

During the year, the job- skill workshops prepare the teens for placement at independent sites or on a group site for six weeks during the summer. And according to the teens, these skills and the experience have helped them.

"Without this, it's just me sitting in the house playing video games," said Matt Canady, 17, of Greenville, who worked with a group at Munnel Run Farm in Coolspring Township. "We did landscaping out here. We planted and moved some of the sod and made flower beds. It takes a lot of patience to get stuff done."

Matt, who attends Mercer County Career Center, plans to enter the Army when he's finished with school and study electronics.

"I think I learned how to handle more responsibility for working and working together with others," said Jacob Lower, 17, of New Lebanon, who will be entering his senior year in Lakeview School District this fall. He said the biggest challenge he has had is working with some people. "I learned to just not let people bother me," said Jacob, who also worked at Munnel Run.

Jessie Taylor, 16, of Farrell, plans on becoming a registered nurse, which was encouraged by his work at a local hospital this summer. "I had fun," he said. "It gives you experience before you get into your work field. It gives you an idea of how it's going to be."

Zaavon, who is doing landscaping and maintenance work at The Winner in downtown Sharon, plans to go to college and study architecture. He sees the training as a way to reach his goal. "It keeps you focused in your life. Your time is being used and this way you're doing stuff and you get paid."

Jill Shankel, education coordinator for Mercer County Conservation District at Munnel Run, agreed. "It's been a wonderful experience for the kids and us. They've gotten more things done this summer than we could ever have hoped to get done with just our staff."