Classes are over, finals are done and summer vacation is finally here. While it’s important for youth to take time to relax and enjoy the summer, they should also seek ways to remain productive — especially this year, when their summer break will be even longer than usual. Between the mild winter that yielded very few snow days and the requirement that schools reopen no earlier than Labor Day, summer break in Baltimore will span from June 12 all the way to Sept. 5.

How can young people keep busy over the long break? They can spend their time giving back to the city through community service. Not only does service build a more vibrant Baltimore, it offers a chance for personal and educational development as well.

The benefits of community service on youth have been widely reported. A University of Nevada study, for instance, found that “youth who volunteer just one hour or more a week are 50 percent less likely to abuse alcohol, cigarettes, become pregnant or engage in other destructive behavior.” It also found that “youth who volunteer are more likely to do well in school, graduate and vote.”

While service may seem like a hard sell for teenagers, consider this: volunteering is a great way for youth to expand their social circles. Through fun and active projects, they’ll meet new people, get connected within their community, and unlock opportunities for their future.

Summertime service can sometimes even offer more opportunities for growth than a typical school day. For many young adults, an alternative, hands-on approach to education can be far more beneficial than hours spent sitting in a classroom. And a lot of service opportunities also provide some degree of skill training, which can be instrumental for young people looking to enter the job force.

Here at Civic Works, for example, we have a program called the Baltimore Conservation Leadership Corps that has garnered wide popularity and is already full for the 2017 season. Young people join the corps to learn about trail maintenance techniques, erosion prevention, agriculture and much more. The program even offers weekly presentations on topics ranging from stream ecology to financial literacy. After the program, young people go back into their communities with tangible work experience and the know-how to go out and find well-paying jobs.

And the benefits go far beyond skill development. Participation in community service can help young people develop the work ethic and mind set needed to obtain and hold down a job. It helps them grow to understand the importance of showing up on time ready to go, how to collaborate on tasks as part of a cohesive team and the joy of taking ownership of — and responsibility for — their work.

Real Food Farm’s Mission Thrive Summer program runs for five weeks over the summer and helps high school students develop specific knowledge about urban farming, basic nutrition concepts and cooking skills. It also gives students the opportunity to develop leadership skills through team building exercises, self and group evaluations and workshops emphasizing job readiness. By the end of the program, students are energized and full of self-confidence. The transformation is remarkable, and it is wonderful to watch young people get excited about health and wellness while becoming impassioned, seasoned leaders.

The program is always a huge hit with Baltimore youth and fills up quickly. However, there are year-round opportunities to volunteer with Real Food Farm for youth who want to hone their agricultural and leadership skills and get their hands dirty on an urban farm.

The long summer means more opportunities for young people to spend their time either productively or otherwise. So, encourage the kids in your community to get involved in service. The benefits are clear, and the impact is invaluable. Volunteering has the potential to be a catalyst for growth in young people, propelling them toward a bright and successful future.

Dana Stein (dstein@civicworks.com)is the Executive Director of Baltimore nonprofit Civic Works.