Young people and older people don’t always agree with each other.They sometimes have different ideas about living,working and having fun.But in one special program in New York,adults and teenagers live together in peace.
Each summer 200 teenagers and 50 adults live together for eight weeks as members of a special work group.Everyone works for several hours each day.The purpose of this program is not just to keep busy.It is also to find meaning and enjoyment in work.Some teenagers work on the farms near the village.Some learn to make furniture and to build houses.The adults teach them these skills.
There are several free hours each day.Weekends are free,too.During the free time,some of the teenagers learn photography and painting.Others sit around and talk or sing.Each teenager chooses his own way to spend his free time.
When people live together,rules are always necessary.In this program the teenagers and the adults make the rules together.If someone breaks a rule,the whole group will discuss the problem.They ask,“Why did it happen?What should we do about it?”
One of the teenagers has this to say about the experience,“You don’t only think about yourself.You learn how to think about the group.”