My kid landed a summer job in a specialty food shop when she was 14. It has been a great experience for her and she has continued to work there every summer and during school breaks. She takes the first and last week of summer off, and works full time for the remainder of the summer. There is nothing like a job to teach kids about real world responsibility. The money she earns covers her cell phone bill, pays for most of her clothes, and whatever personal spending she requires during the school year. Last summer, she paid for her own drivers ed class too. She has learned to plan and budget and prioritize, has learned the difference between “needs” and “wants”. I highly recommend a job as a summer activity!