New sign just latest addition to evolving Teen Outback

Huntingburg — The Teen Outback is in the midst of some upgrades these days.

The center started by Ralph Begle about 15 years ago is operated through local contributions and volunteers to provide a place for youth to hang out and have a good time.

“There’s a definite need for these activities,” Begle said. “If we can keep one kid out of trouble, one night, then it is well worth it. They need a place to go. They don’t have many places to go because we are a small community and it gives them something to do.”

A new sign was installed by 2 Sign Guys on Wednesday in the front of the Teen Outback at one of the busiest intersections in Dubois County. It is a strategic position that will be used to get information out to the many people passing by the facility.

“We want to use the sign to promote events in the community and our own events,” Begle stated. “We also want to use it to recognize the accomplishments of our kids. A lot of times there are things that go unnoticed, a kid excels at something, and sometimes nobody hears about it. If we can have that on the board, 20,000 cars go through that intersection every day, maybe we can get these accomplishments more exposure.”

Besides the new electronic sign, the center is adding a new computer system that includes eight new computers and and several iPads for kids to use to access the internet and play video games. They also recently renovated the “dodgeball room,” considered a favorite area for the kids that frequent the Teen Outback.

With these upgrades the center is seeing an increased amount of use as well. It has activities scheduled 240 days of 2013, up from 207 in 2012.

In addition to the events held by the Teen Outback, this summer A Kids’ Place daycare center and preschool is using the center for a new summer program called Adventure Planet. Adventure Planet will begin next Monday and run to the first day of school for Southwest Dubois County School Corporation.

Students entering second grade up to sixth grade will go to Teen Outback for the new program. The Outback’s facilities allow for those kids participating in Adventure Planet to take part in fun physical activities and even educational experiences. Activities that fall right in line with the Outback’s philosophy and goal to provide programming that promotes healthy lifestyles through educational, recreational, and spiritual activities.

Brad Buechler, a member of the Teen Outback board, is currently working on the computer upgrades and has also been completing an update to the Teen Outback website. Besides sharing information about upcoming events and photos of recent events, the site will allow individuals or organizations to submit their event for consideration to be promoted through the new electronic sign.