Teens Helping Teens: A Turf Surprise for the Boys Aquatics Team

This weekend, while most people were relaxing over Labor Day, we—Zane (14), Finn (16), and Riley (16)—were out on deck making a difference for our boys aquatics program.

The boys’ team space sits on the side of the pool, covered by a tent, but the ground underneath is just rough asphalt. It’s hot, hard, and honestly not comfortable to walk or sit on between games and practices. We wanted to change that.

So, we decided to raise money from local businesses to buy artificial turf. With their support, we were able to purchase enough turf to cover the team space. On Labor Day weekend, with the help of Coach Russell, we rolled up our sleeves, cleaned the whole area, and laid the turf down ourselves.

On Tuesday, when the boys come back to practice, they will walk into their new space—no more burning asphalt, just fresh turf under their feet.

This project wasn’t just about turf. It was about showing how teens can step up for each other. We’re proud that our small idea turned into something real, thanks to the generosity of our community and a lot of teamwork.

Even the small things, like cleaning up a team space, helping local teens, it’s GenU is all about.

— Zane (14), Finn (16), and Riley (16)