ACTIVITIES FOR EXPAT TEENAGERS IN SINGAPORE

[mrsmacridma]

We have been here 6 months now and my just turned 16 y/o has become bored with shopping and movies! We have been looking for some team activities and or sporting groups that involve a teenage majority - however most sporting activities seem to dissolve around the 13 to 14 year old age group. At home there were numerous round-robin teenage tennis groups, netball competitions, surf life saving etc. Although there are adult tennis competitions and 'open grade netball' why isn't there any organised compeition for 14 - 17 year olds. I listen to parents complaining about teenagers 'clubbing' and hanging out around bars - but no one seems to be addressing the real issue - what other options do they have. Are there any other families out there that have experienced this dilemma???? My daughter is a happy, popular, well adjusted child - not at all 'nerdy' but wants to do more than just 'hang' every weekend.
Any thoughts on this matter?????

[sundaymorningstaple]

There isn't generally a middle rank here when it comes to the 14 to 17 year olds. They either just hang and ultimately support the blue collar segment of society once they're adults and the "nerdy" ones as you call them who are 'achievers' who will eventually be the ones who are captains of industry or somewhere safely inbetween. I had/have the same problems the daughter was more studious but is now 23 and doing rather well for herself. My son will be 18 in two weeks and all he thinks about is the band he's in and his grades show it. I fear for his future but you can only lead a horse to water. You cannot make them drink it no matter how much you try. We know!

My question would be what activities are you talking about? I mean ones that your kids would do at home that they cannot do here? Aside from milking cows and tilling fields and cruising the Dairy Queen (which is prohibitive today in any country considering the cost of petrol).

Boating activities? Can
Swimming activities? Can
Skating activities? All kinds Can
Cycling? Can
Hang gliding? Across the Causeway Can
Skydiving? Across the Causeway Can
Golfing? Can
Soccer, sailing, rugby, basketball, baseball? all Can
Dancing? Can
Martial Arts? Can
Libraries? Can
Movies? Can - too many
Nature Hikes? Can
Zoos - Can
Botany Parks - Can
And of course Lan shops and hanging at the malls (which I've noticed is a normal pasttime of teens around the world.

Cruising the dairy queen cannot.

sms