After the near-neglect of Generation Xers, society is paying attention to the well-being of Year 2000 teens, reports Ellen O'Sullivan in Trend Watch (p. 49).

Pervasive negative influences (such as gangs, drugs, AIDS, crime, and violence in the schools) have prompted this refocus. One could argue, however, that youth and teens have always been a focus for park districts and recreation departments. While U.S. leaders as high-ranking as the President and Gen. Colin Powell are launching after-school initiatives, park districts have been providing this kind of care for more than 20 years.

For example, the Crystal Lake Park District's ET (Extended Time) Program started in the early '80s in partnership with the Crystal Lake School District. ET offers flexible, affordable and safe before and after-school care for children, directly in the schools. Many park districts operate such programs, and you'll see a sampling on pages 24-27.

Specifically for teens, the IPRA Teen Committee shares its most popular recreation programs targeted at this tricky age group. And, Champaign Park District outlines the evolution of its formal, tax-based youth program.

Meanwhile, it's summer. So IP&R also dives into the important issues of splashing, spraying, tubing and sliding with a special look at the FAC (family aquatic center) phenomenon.

Turn to page 43 for a showcase of five award-winning and innovative waterparks that are making waves in the aquatics scene.

Special thanks go to the following aquatic savants, who dried off, came in from the sun and shared time during their at-capacity season to put together this showcase: Cyndi Capek, supt. of recreation, Des Plaines Park District; Lori Fuller, aquatic manager, Collinsville Area Recreation District; Dan Gundruan, manager of Magic Waters, Rockford Park District; Ron Oestreich, aquatics manager Bolingbrook Park District; Warren Ross, aquatics/safety supervisor Skokie Park District; and, caught just before boarding a plane to a North Richland Hills, Texas, waterpark o-rama, Jill Bartholomew, supt. of recreation, Homewood-Flossmoor Park District.

ANN LONDRIGAN

Editor