Tweenager Activities (West Jordan, Riverton, Alta: city hall, rent, neighborhood)

[janp]

Hi, We just moved to the Riverton/S. Jordan area from VA. I would appreciate any suggestions or referrals for activities for my 12 yr. old girl, she is bored to death. Unfortunately we arrived too late to register for soccer or softball (both things she would have really enjoyed)...and I am scouring the internet to try and find some type of civic club and/or other sporting activity/team, drama club...anything . Unlike her school in VA there doesn't seem to be any type of sport or extra curricular activities for this grade (7th) through the school...ugh.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

While we are at it...I'm trying to find a good place to play tennis w/o joining a country club. In VA, we had groups who would get together and rent indoor court space for the winter...is that available here?

Thanks much,
Jan

[kaytidid]

Hi there and welcome to Utah! Try Utah Drama Acting School | Musical Theatre Academy Up With Kids. It is a drama type club that puts on plays each year. They are all family friendly shows and everyone gets a part. There is no trying out involved. It looks like there is a location in SJ at the fitness center at 10300 S Redwood Rd.

There should be registrations for Jr. Jazz basketball coming up soon, if she is interested in that.

Girl Scouts?

As far as tennis goes, I know around our neighborhood, we have oodles of tennis courts to use. Just grab a couple of friends and your racquet and off you go.

Good luck!

[janp]

That all sounds great. I'll look in to the drama and definitely Jr. Jazz Bball. Thanks for your help!

[kaytidid]

Glad to help. I have an 11 year old daughter, so I certainly know about finding something to keep them busy! She has just stopped competing in gymnastics, so she has lots of idle time that she has never had before, and I am finding that I have to find things to keep that idle mind busy.

Hope she finds something she likes to do.

[okiegirl61]

We have been here a year and we live in West Jordan. I enrolled my now 11 year old in cheer and gymnastics at the Gene Fulmer Fitness and Rec center. They have a variety of programs for tweenagers. There is JR Jazz basketball in the late fall / early winter. I know the park in West Jordan has 2 tennis courts. The park is behind the West Jordan City Hall. WJ City Hall is on Redwood Road and about 78th. Hope this helps. I understand your dilemma we are still trying to make friends and entertain ourselves even after a year.

[janp]

Thanks okiegirl and katyidid! I will check out the tennis at W and S Jordan. We ended signing my daughter up for club soccer. More $$ than rec league, but we decided it would be worth it. We also plan to get her in to a Jr. Jazz basketball, that is one of her favorite sports. It is so difficult finding our niche in a new place.

[kaytidid]

It IS hard, I know. We relocated from the east coast 13 years ago. It was rough going for a while. Luckily, we didn't have kids then, so that made it a little easier.

Just keep busy and you will find your niche in no time!

I am glad you found some things for your daughter to do. It is important that they keep busy and find some new friends too!

Good luck and glad to have you here!

[snowstorm]

climbing. Theres a bunch of rock climbing gyms in this area. They have kids programs and she sounds like shes old enough once she takes a lesson you can just drop her off and she can be on her own for a few hours. Theres always kids of that age climbing when I go there. They make friends together push each other and I think its a great way for them to stay in shape and have fun at the same time. I really wish my parents were able to get me into something like that when I was that age. For winter look around ....skiing. Alta offers an hour and a half free ski after 3 in the winter if you've never done it or want to see if you'd like it. Theres tons of rad opportunities in the area for kids besides piano or soccer.

[janp]

I had never thought of the climbing. That does sound like a great option, esp. the staying in shape part. Do you have any names of gyms/clubs that offer this?
We do hope to get involved in skiing/snowboarding when the season gets here. Someone told us that they can sign up for after-school trips through the school that include a lesson(s).

Thanks for all suggestions!
Jan

[jhwest]

There's the new climbing gym next to REI at Southtown mall. It's really nice. I don't know what their rates are, though.
There's a really cool archery place on 7800 So and 1300 E. that offers lessons/clubs. Your daughter might like that.
Dance is really big here. There is a studio on every corner.
I have a 12 year old daughter too who pretty much just reads and draws and is content staying in her bedroom. She's wanting to do more skiing this year, though. That's not til Nov/Dec. Our 13 year old neighbor is on a swim team at Gene Fullmer. SHe adores it. It's just about every day, though.