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Steamboat Springs — Riding the free bus around all day, aimlessly walking downtown, journeying to City Market for children's free cookies because I'm hopelessly broke: these are the highlights of daily entertainment for many teens.

The lack of activities available for teens is a problem that plagues many small towns, Steamboat Springs included.

It may be argued that teens have plenty to do; they just have to look for it. Current opportunities include school clubs or sports, movies, skiing (this is a ski town, after all) and the library.

Unfortunately, all of these activities have limitations. Teens only have so much money, so going to see a movie for $9 can be unrealistic. The library has too much adult supervision and restrictions. And not every teen is an athlete extraordinaire.

A teen center is a viable solution to this dilemma.

Something I commonly hear as an argument against getting a teen center is the classic, "Well, teens aren't going to go. They'd rather go get into trouble."

Well, excuse me, but what about the library regulars who have nothing to do, so they spend their time at the library? What about the children involved in activities? What about all the children who donate their valuable time writing for Teen Style?

It is quite apparent that there are many teens who wish they just had something, anything, to do.

This does lead to "bad behavior" occasionally, but often, that behavior is just a temporary solution - albeit not a very good one - to dull the pains of continuous boredom.

Teens need a place they can relax, get away from constant adult supervision, have fun and just be teens.

Josie Pacana is a senior at the Yampa Valley School. This is her fifth year writing for Teen Style, and her second year as student editor of the monthly section.