Skye Dunn hopes if he turns up the rocking, youth will come a knocking.

Whether it’s taking teens to a Foo Fighters concert in Seattle, offering professional D.J. lessons or organizing a “Rock Band” tournament, Dunn is looking to get local teenagers involved in the Skagit County Parks and Recreation department.

“The teenage group is one of our hardest age groups to get a hold of,” said Dunn, the department’s youth and teen recreation coordinator. “Once they know somebody who’s 16, they’re out the door and don’t want a chaperone.”

So Dunn has looked to target 13- to 15-year-olds with opportunities not available with friends or parents. Last Wednesday, he took five teens to Experience Music Project in downtown Seattle, followed by the concert at Key Arena.

Fourteen-year-old Jordan Desmond of Sedro-Woolley and his friend Curtis Johnson both attended the show.

“When we got there it was packed, of course,” said Desmond, who has also been to Aerosmith and Eminem concerts. “It was awesome.”

On Friday, Dunn will be giving interested rockers a chance to take to the stage themselves. The parks department will be hosting a “Rock Band” tournament at Common Ground Coffeehouse at 7 p.m. in Burlington. A $10 entrance fee and four members — a lead singer, guitarist, bassist and drummer — are all that are needed, Dunn said.

“It gives everybody a fun opportunity to pretend to be something they’re not, and teaches rhythm,” he said about the video game, which is similar to karaoke with instruments.

Music isn’t the only thing available for teens this summer through the parks department. Right now Dunn is spearheading the STRIVE (Skagit Teens Recreating in Volunteer Environments) program, and later this summer the department will offer wakeboarding training, a three-day skate park tour and a Rat City Roller Girls match.

For more information about youth and teen programs in Skagit County, call 360-336-9414.