The Office of Teen Programs will host a summer finale of its innovative program Teen Night. The event, which will be held at the Harry Thomas Recreation Center, 1743 Lincoln Road, NE, Friday, August 22 from 5 pm to 11 pm will close the summer season of the youth-focused program which to date has had attracted over 7100 District youth participants. Over 2,500 District teenagers from the city’s eight wards are expected to be in attendance.

Many local organizations have partnered with DPR to make the finale as fun, socially-impacting and culturally-educational as possible. These include: the DC Metropolitan Police Department, DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department and DC Firefighting BBQ Team, District of Columbia Public Library, Mission Church, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Metro TeenAIDS, Revel Youth Shine, DC Office of Disability Rights, and American Lung Association/Team Champions. Programming for the event will include music and dance performances, food, and sports tournaments.

“What an exciting way to bring to a close a great summer of outstanding programming for our teenagers,” said Clark E. Ray, DPR director. “The overwhelming success of the program this year has reflected that our young people are invested in their communities and that this agency is invested in our young people.”

From 5 pm to 10 pm each of the partnering organizations will have tables to display and distribute informational literature. HIV testing and information will also be available for District teenagers as well. World Missions for Christ Church will be hosting a Back-to-School giveaway. On-site registration is required and giveaways will be available from 5 pm to 7 pm, distributed on a first come, first serve basis.

Opportunities to participate still exist for government agencies and community based organizations. For more information: Contact the DPR Office of Teen Programs at (202) 671-0451.