By the seventh night of Teens for BOB (Better Oyster Bay) Matthew Wildes, program coordinator, had a good idea of how the program was going. "On opening night we had 100 teens. On five of the first seven nights we had over 70 kids each. Attendance has been up from the previous three years," he said.

"We're using live bands more. The teens are coming out to hear them. Maybe it's been word of mouth. It's been going on for six years now," he said. The precedent has been set he added, they know there is no drugs, no alcohol and no fighting.

Mr. Wildes has been with the open beach program BOB for three years. "Knock on wood: we've had no conflicts."

The weather too, has been cooperating.

The volunteers serve the food. "I observe, to make sure there are no problems," said Mr. Wildes.

The police are regulars. "They are very subtle," he said. They keep an eye on the teens who actually have a large area to hang out in.

He had words of praise for the teens. He appreciates that they are a nice group of youngsters and follow the rules. He added, "You guys (the Oyster Bay Enterprise Pilot staff) get the word out that they have a nice place to go."

It's also a nice place to go for the volunteers, who find that Theodore Roosevelt Park is a nice place to visit in the evenings. BOB is held Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 26 through Aug. 31 from about 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

On Thursday, July 19, Sean from New York Party Work brought a Bungee run for the kids to enjoy.

"BOB is good stuff," said Dana Rosen. "It's fun and a lot of people like to come here from Oyster Bay High School.

"I'll always remember this place and these smiling faces," she said with good humor.

The program is the result of the collaborative effort on the part of Teens for BOB, the Rotary of Oyster Bay, the Nassau County Police Dept. 2nd Precinct, Youth and Family Counseling Agency of Oyster Bay-East Norwich, the Community Foundation of Oyster Bay and the Town of Oyster Bay. Local teens in seventh through 12th grades are invited to attend. An extra perk is their own BOB website at www.Teensforbob.com

Be sure to visit the site! Please contact Matt Wildes at 922-6867 or Mary DiSario at 922-9013 if you are interested in assisting or would like more information.