Transitions are not an easy thing for many of us. The changes from being single to married, from working to retiring, from having a full house to an "empty nest" can all be difficult. But if you think those transitions are challenging, consider the transition to high school.

Although some of us remember high school fondly, it's also a time of great pressure-academic challenges, dating, driving and figuring out what to do after graduation. Perhaps the biggest challenge is the need teens have to fit in, to feel like they "belong."

Over the years, educators and youth development professionals have become increasingly aware of this need as they've learned more about the importance of "connections" and "belonging" to a freshman's emotional and physical health. As a result, they now try to identify the most vulnerable freshmen and provide them with a lot of support.

They've also identified four factors that determine a child's success in life: a healthy early childhood, economic stability, a safe and caring community and a positive transition to high school. If that transition doesn't go well, kids may disengage and, ultimately, drop out of school.

Many experts say that it's impossible to overstate the importance for kids to feel connections during this transition. Luckily, our community has many resources to give teens a chance to find those connections outside of school.

In SeaTac, the SeaTac Community Center provides a free gathering place for teens in grades 7-12. There are also specific programs like the Drills & Skills program at Chinook Middle School that combines basketball drills with fitness, life skills and education.

In Burien, teens can take advantage of the popular "REC Room" at the Burien Community Center. The after-school program is free for sixth-12th graders. Activities include arts and crafts, board games, Wii and snacks. Another popular activity in Burien is the free teen late night program, for sixth-12th graders with upcoming events that include Taco Fiesta, candle making, henna tattoos and Wii tournaments. And Sylvester Middle School offers a free late night program for seventh-10th graders featuring everything from break dancing to card games on Saturday nights.

In Des Moines, Pacific Middle School offers a special program on Friday afternoons. Teens create craft projects, play sports in the gym or win prizes through contests. Targeted to seventh and eighth graders, the program is supported by the Des Moines Rotary Club.

Next year, there will be even more offerings and support for teens and their families when the new Highline YMCA opens in SeaTac. The new YMCA will include a Teen Center where youth will have a safe place to hang out and become involved in a range of leadership and team-building programs.

In the end, the transition that our youth face moving from middle school to high school can indeed run smoothly, just like the many other transitions in life that we learn to manage. The key is to proactively figure out what the challenges are going to be, prepare for them and keep talking to our children as they adjust to their exciting new lives.

You can find out more about SeaTac programs for teens at http://www.ci.seatac.wa.us/park/teenprograms.htm

The Burien teen program has a My Space page at www.myspace.com/burienparksandrecreation.

More information about Des Moines programs can be found at http://www.desmoineswa.gov/dept/parks_rec/teen/teen.html

Claudia Tanis is Branch Executive at the Highline YMCA. A new 48,000-square-foot YMCA is currently under construction in SeaTac, with opening anticipated for fall 2009. For more information on the project, or current programs at the YMCA, visit www.highlineymca.org or call 206-244-5880.