Growing up in a big family, Taryn Erb was used to being around children of different ages with lots of energy and activity. She loved it and it was an environment that felt comfortable and normal to her. So it seemed natural for her first jobs to be ones where she chose to work with active and energetic children.

“I really liked working with kids,” says Taryn, the Old Saybrook Parks & Recreation’s new program and facilities assistant.

Starting as a camp counselor in her hometown of Guilford’s Parks & Recreation summer camp at Jacobs Beach, a camp for 1st- through 6th graders, she rose over the eight years she worked there to become camp director.

“I found that what I really liked was the program planning part of working with kids,” Taryn says.

So she got a college degree in management and chose a career in recreational management, one that would use her interests and skills.

After directing the Jacobs Beach camp for eight years, she was ready to broaden her experience so she took a job with the North Branford Family Resource Center, heading up the before- and after-school care programs at Totoket Valley Elementary School. Then late last year, she saw an opening with the Old Saybrook Parks & Recreation Department that would rely upon all her skills and interests.

In this 30-hour per week job, Taryn works with both children and teens. Her main role is to oversee and manage programming for the town Teen Center; her other responsibilities include planning and coordinating school break and summer camp programs, working with Parks & Recreation Department Director Ray Allen and Assistant Director Jonathan Paradis.

Taryn says she’s really impressed with Old Saybrook recreational facilities and in particular, with the Teen Center at the town’s Recreation Center on Sheffield Street.

“... Teens are supervised there, but also can go use the Recreation Center’s gym, go outside on the basketball courts, or stay in the teen center to play games like pool, air hockey, and foosball or on one of the two TVs, with Xbox, Playstation or use it to watch sports games,” Taryn says.

Taryn says the Teen Center’s TV alcove has been busy this month as teens gather there to watch March Madness basketball games and cheer on their favorite teams.

The Teen Center is open for use by 6th- to 8th graders Monday through Thursday afternoons from 2:35 to 5:30 p.m. and for 4th- and 5th graders, on Friday afternoons from 2:35 to 4 p.m. On Friday evenings from 7 to 9:30 p.m., the Teen Center again becomes a dedicated hang-out for 6th- to 8th graders.

“Sixth- to 8th grade students can pay just $20 a year for an unlimited Teen Center membership or they can pay $5 for a single Friday night drop-in. The cost for 4th- and 5th graders for a year-long membership is $5,” Taryn says. “Overall, we have 192 6th- to 8th grade members. Some come every day, some only come on Friday nights.

“We get really good attendance,” Taryn continues. “If you have a kid who wants to play basketball or a kid who just wants to come and socialize, they each have a place at the Teen Center. I was amazed at what they have to offer here.

“Teens feel welcomed here. We’re here to help them; it puts a lot of responsibility on them,” she says.

Taryn is also getting excited about the school Spring Break camp she’s planned from Monday to Thursday, April 10 to 13 .

“During the school break, the Teen Center will be open from 12 to 5. At 2 p.m. each day, we have an activity planned for them. Monday is Jeopardy, Tuesday, is Castle Day Tournament, Wednesday is Tie-Dye day, and Thursday is Kickball,” says Taryn. “If they already have a membership, there’s no additional cost.”

Taryn will also take charge of the summer 6th- to 8th-grade camp—registration starts Tuesday, April 4 and the week-long camps usually fill up quickly. There are nine one-week sessions including one with Farmington River tubing, another with a Yard Goats baseball game and one with a visit to Sports Center in Shelton.

“We do our summer camp field trips on Fridays. On Wednesdays, we do mini-golf and Town Beach. Mondays are Recreation Center and a Main Street Stroll,” says Taryn.

Taryn’s enthusiasm and energy is contagious—and certainly helps her connect to kids and teens.

“I love connecting individually with the kids,” says Taryn. “You want to greet them when they come in the door and be that happy, positive role model for them every day.

“I love to be able to see what kids are interests are, what they are looking to get out of the program, and then try to put that all together,” says Taryn. “I go-go-go constantly. I’m very motivated and enthusiastic about my position and I hope I can bring a lot to the program.”