How do you find out about activities and resources for Tweens and Teens

[JanetBBerry]

I have a question for the web-iverse.

I am a mom to girls ages 7 and 10. I also happen to work for Adventure Theatre MTC Glen Echo. We are known for plays and classes for younger kids, but we also have classes in theater and musical theater for students up to grade 12.

I know there are TONS of resources for younger kids - magazines, blogs, you name it. But everything seems to dry up when the kids reach school age.

So, as a parent, how do you find out about programs and resources for your kids? Is it mostly word of mouth and listservs? Do you pay attention to ads on one site more than another? Special Guides in the Post and other magazines?

In addition to asking on a professional level, I'm also interested because my girls are growing up and I do look for activities, camps, classes for them as well.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

We saw a Traveling Players production while at Williamsburg. They were fantastic and the teens really seemed to enjoy themselves. My kid likes this kind of thing but is 6. I just made a mental note.

[Anonymous]

Suggestions from friends or messages from school. My teens/preteens are far more likely to join things that friends have recommended or are doing themselves. I no longer read any of those Parenting magazines or other resources that I used when they were smaller. I don't follow other listservs and take every review I see here with a grain of salt. (I read DCUM for the comedy mostly!) I'm also much more careful with the fees and commitments of signing up for things since my kids get busy and often miss lessons. That's all wasted money so I am careful what we commit to. Many things around here are just too expensive.

[Anonymous]

Mostly word of mouth or through school or activities they already do. Like my son's chess club then says try out for this other chess camp. I really don't think any parents of older kids really start over and randomly look at magazines or the like. If you want to draw more people to your thing, then find drama clubs at schools or at music lessons and try to cross market.