Stuff for teens in Summerville? (house, YMCA, school)

[noplacelikeWA]

I have a really bored 15yr old teen girl on my hands and she is driving me crazy! We only came to Summerville 3 weeks ago and don't know anyone. I need to find her someone to talk to and hang out with fast. She is not very outgoing but does have a fun personality when you get to know her. She is more into writing and less into sports, not afraid of the water but doesn't want to be seen in her bathing suit. We have been making trips to the library weekly and short of dragging myself to the mall, (I don't think it will work anyways) I am at a loss. What are the local teens up to this summer, is there a place or club that we can look into?

[stephz1008]

Summerville Family YMCA always has programs. Check it out. If you belong to a church, they may have a youth group too.

[beachme]

At 15 you ca.n work....Maybe a part time job would be a great way for her to meet people. Perhaps Barnes and Noble or somewhere she has an interest

[meks]

I don't know how you feel about church but there are some really large youth groups that do a ton of things together in several of S'Ville's churches... Cross Roads, Miles Road Bapt, Fellowship of Oakbrook, Cross Anchor just to name a few with large numbers of teens

[noplacelikeWA]

Originally Posted by meks

I don't know how you feel about church but there are some really large youth groups that do a ton of things together in several of S'Ville's churches... Cross Roads, Miles Road Bapt, Fellowship of Oakbrook, Cross Anchor just to name a few with large numbers of teens

Thanks for the input, I am interested in youth groups. We are looking into Fellowship of Oakbrook because it is the nearest to us. She is resisting the idea just because she nervous about fitting in since we are not from SC. I just pray she meets even one other girl she clicks with so that she can maybe have someone to hangout with once in awhile outside of the Sunday morning and Friday night meetings. I may sign her up for teen camp thru the YMCA but we might not be able to do it because she hates the idea of having to go swimming with other people. It amazes me how little there is for teens in the area, seems that they are all using the internet to socialize and not getting out and about like we did years ago.

[beth1104]

We just moved to the area as well, and the internet HELPED my daughter find friends here. She has a Facebook account and used it to meet and 'get to know' people before we got here. They kept in touch then once we moved in, they came to the house and took her around to show her the area. She's hung out with a few different groups that she originally met on Facebook! (Which I'm very thankful for, because otherwise, she would still be very bitter about having to move).

[noplacelikeWA]

Originally Posted by beth1104

We just moved to the area as well, and the internet HELPED my daughter find friends here. She has a Facebook account and used it to meet and 'get to know' people before we got here. They kept in touch then once we moved in, they came to the house and took her around to show her the area. She's hung out with a few different groups that she originally met on Facebook! (Which I'm very thankful for, because otherwise, she would still be very bitter about having to move).

How did she use Facebook? We have facebook accounts and as far as I know unless you are actually registered as a local student you would have a very hard time meeting people. Did she join a certain group or network? I hesitate to use the internet for teen networking because before when we did let her do this she was unable to do it responsibly and things got very out of control quickly.

[beth1104]

She looked up the H.S. she would be going to which brought up (at that point) pictures of people at that school. She clicked on some and requested them as "friends". They then have to "accept" you. Of course the first conversation after they accept you is then asking how they know her and she advised she was moving here... Once you're accepted by someone in a particular network/school, that school is part of your extended network. You don't have to be registered at that school... you indicate your school and it takes your word for it. (I'm fairly certain... she's already indicated her new school on Facebook and she's not registered yet). Yes, I agree it's easy for the internet networking to get out of control... not just the addicting aspect, but also it's too easy to say things they normally wouldn't. I do think Facebook is safer than the MySpace program because you have to be accepted before your profile can be seen, but of course, curiosity gets to them and they still accept you to find out who you are. You can block people though if you find you don't/don't want to know them. I don't think it's for everyone, but in her case, it worked out well. She's had Facebook long enough now that she's no longer on it everyday; just checks in every few days.

[noplacelikeWA]

Originally Posted by beth1104

She looked up the H.S. she would be going to which brought up (at that point) pictures of people at that school. She clicked on some and requested them as "friends". They then have to "accept" you. Of course the first conversation after they accept you is then asking how they know her and she advised she was moving here... Once you're accepted by someone in a particular network/school, that school is part of your extended network. You don't have to be registered at that school... you indicate your school and it takes your word for it. (I'm fairly certain... she's already indicated her new school on Facebook and she's not registered yet). Yes, I agree it's easy for the internet networking to get out of control... not just the addicting aspect, but also it's too easy to say things they normally wouldn't. I do think Facebook is safer than the MySpace program because you have to be accepted before your profile can be seen, but of course, curiosity gets to them and they still accept you to find out who you are. You can block people though if you find you don't/don't want to know them. I don't think it's for everyone, but in her case, it worked out well. She's had Facebook long enough now that she's no longer on it everyday; just checks in every few days.

Thanks for the info, we are only temporary residents, leaving before school starts. I am happy to report she did attend a youth small group today and felt comfortable enough with the group that she wants to attend the camp they are hosting in 10 days. It really is answer to prayer. Thanks for all the feedback and please if anyone has anything else to add or other ideas please do.

[DAP443]

How about taking her to the beach?