Hi moms,
I could really use some ideas! I am volunteering as a mentor for two teenage girls ages 12 and 16. We get together every weekend for a couple of hours to do an activity. I'm looking for ideas on things the girls might be interested in doing, such as outings in San Francisco or classes even. To be honest, I don't know much about this age group, and the girls themselves don't really know what they want to do. They are quite underprivileged and have not experienced much, so I would like to take them to some museums and performances, but I also want to do some things around the city with them. Hopefully things that aren't terribly expensive. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Japanese tea garden in GG park is great. Or go out to Ocean Beach and just walk by the water. Can be very therapeutic and enjoyable.
Or, maybe bicycle through the park. I think you can rent bikes in GG park (or nearby).
You could find a paint-your-own pottery place like color-me-mine.
They might also like Haight street. (Or it may be too much like home).
Good luck and have fun!
If you don't mind a little driving, I'd suggest taking them to some local regional parks since many underprivileged city kids have never had a chance to go anywhere really "outdoorsy". For an inexpensive outing (free admission and free parking), Tilden Park in Berkeley has its "Little Farm" (granted, it's main audience is younger kids, but I think it could be fascinating for teens who have never had a chance to see farm animals up close) and the visitor center has a few little educational exhibits about the local wildlife and waterways.
A bit further away but with a lot more programs and activities: Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont http://www.ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood . Nature walks, informative talks on farm animals, organic farming, old fashioned farm chores (butter churning, etc.), and very affordable admission rates (free parking, adult admission is $2 and kids up to 17YO $1 on Tu/Th/Sat, rates are $5 adult, $4 kids on Thurs/Fri/Sun)
And something I haven't tried but sounds like it would certainly be worth a try are the free San Francisco walking tours - see their web site for more info http://www.sfcityguides.org/faqs.html
Hey,
Sounds like the girls haven't been out much so that they don't know what's out there...that being the case, here are my ideas.
Spend time listening to them. Play 20 questions or board games. The important thing is just to listen. Bring a newspaper, ask about events listed in the paper. Make a plan with them to explore SF. You might find they've not been to some of the tourist sites. Explore.
Just take a walk - in SF, start at the ferry building and walk all the way up the Embarcadero all the way to the GG bridge. You could begin to know more about the girls and their interests that way. There are so many neighborhoods close by to explore also, from Chinatown to North Beach.
If you find they like the outdoors, the Marin Headlands are beautiful. (The beach, light house...)
Walk some of the many college campuses we have in the Bay Area and ask about their dreams. Help them set goals. Work together to reach them. Talk with their teachers.
Half Moon Bay. Davenport, Santa Cruz are nice day trips. There is so much to see and do in the Bay Area. We are truly blessed. (Go the opposite direction, Sonoma. Or east...)
Go get ice cream....have tea in Chinatown...eat food that is different from what they are accustomed to.
Window Shop.
Take them to places (museums, concerts, bike riding, skating, Golden Gate Park...)and things you are passionate about as a starting point.
Most importantly, take the time to listen (slow and steady) and answer any question they may have about you honestly.
What a wonderful opportunity you have to get to know and make a difference in the life of two young women.
On Sundays, Golden Gate park closes streets to traffic for roller skaters. You can rent skates and have a fun time there. The cost for an hour rental is pretty cheap: http://www.goldengateparkbikeandskate.com/
Or how about visiting the farmers market at the Ferry Building on Saturday? You can buy a bite to eat or bring a picnic lunch and just eat by the water.
You could try doing a search on "community" or "donation" yoga classes in your area which are free and ask for whatever you can contribute.
How about a walking tour of one of our local colleges to get them inspired for higher education? Berkeley and Stanford both have lots to see, you can visit the bookstores, and you can buy or bring an inexpensive lunch to enjoy.
If they seem to be into fashion, something like a jewelry making or beading class may be fun. And you really don't need a class if they are too expensive...reading a book on it is pretty good too. But if you talked to the owners of the bead shops, they may give you a deal on the classes since you are doing community service. And if the girls become become good at making the jewelry, it could become a great entrepreneurial experience for them...selling jewelery at high school!!
Hi - My teenage daughter likes the Ferry Building Farmers Market on Saturdays; also fun to see the shops there on weekdays. The Cartoon Art Museum on Mission St. is small and easy to look through -- not all kids have patience for a large museum. And Yerba Buena Park is nearby; lots of times there are events or free music. The Mission Cultural Center (25th and Mission) has amazing Day of the Dead altars soon, and sometimes free art classes on Saturdays; check out their website. The Castro Theater is fun when they show old movies or musicals -- someone plays the pipe organ before the show lots of nights. The Balboa on Ocean also sometimes shows old movies. If you hike through Glen Canyon in Glen Park you may get to see a cayote! We saw her twice last week. Hope you guys have fun,
A.
How wonderful, i would love to know what agency you are supporting mentoring these girls.
First thing I thought of was going to a matinee ballet or performance. You can contact different agencies, such as Marin Ballet Academy in San Rafael for the Nutcracker and ask if they have scholarships to attend the performance. They may sponsor the girls, and many of the performance companies in San Fran may do the same.
Also, manicure, or pedicure, farmer's markets (to learn about organic nutrition), to nice stores to try on beautiful gowns (I was poor growing up and loved to do this).
If you are comfortable it would be great for them to see you with your 2 year old, also during the matinees if your daughter is mellow (one of mine is, the other is not) she may be able to sit through the performance.
Have fun
