Cyndi Loza

Hug High School junior Tre Johnson said working as a Leadter in Training for the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows is the best summer job any teenager could ask for.

“We get paid just to have fun,” said Johnson, 16, of Reno.

He grew up in the community, so Johnson was among the club’s longtime members. And as a kid, he looked up to the LITs.

Through the summer job program, local teenagers receive training and work 20 hours per week during the summer, rotating duties in various areas like helping with field trips and supervising younger children in the art, sports and recreation programs.

“It’s like having a whole bunch of brothers and sisters,” said Jaevis Johnson, 15, a sophomore at Hug High School.

About 36 local students work in the program and are paid $7.50 per hour. Lori Thomas, teen services director for the club, said the positions are coveted because most of the teens plan to spend time at the club during the summer anyway.

“Having a good-paying summer job where you feel you make a difference is a huge privilege,” said Thomas, who added that most LITs volunteer at the club for at least 150 hours before they’re considered for a position.

Jamie Behan, 14, of Reno, said she enjoys working as an LIT because, as the youngest child in her family, she never got to interact much with younger children.

“You definitely learn your patience,” said Behan, after she chased down a 7-year-old boy. “(But) I love kids so much.”

As members of the Hug varsity basketball team, Tre Johnson and Jaevis Johnson both enjoy the fact that the children always seem to be eager to play basketball with them.

“They’re always like, ‘Come on! You’re on our team,’” Tre Johnson said.

Visit the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows’ website for more information.