Thank you very much for all the responses, they have been very helpful.

She loves the outdoors, particularly animals, and is pretty creative. However, she is shy, so putting her in a social situation like the mall, I think, could backfire. If it is a class or group oriented thing, she tends to get involved. But the mall might overwhelm her.

She loves swimming though, so the lifeguard training or volunteering at a pool might be good for her.

I was also thinking I might try and see if Meadowbrook Stables needs any volunteers for summer. Those kids look like they are about her age.

Thank you again for all the helpful suggestions!

Here's the link: http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/wdce/youthsummer.html

Montgomery College also has some fun classes for teens. Love the suggestion about Glen Echo. Also, the libraries do quite a bit of teen programming.

Glen Echo has some really excellent classes in the arts--jewelry making, glass blowing, book making, photography...

MoCo has a volunteer database: http://volunteer.truist.com/mcvc/volunteer/search.aspx
High school students have a volunteering requirement--SSL opportunities will be appropriate.

A sports or drama camp at one of the local high schools? (My kids are doing some at a local girls Catholic school)

I would try to get her a job or volunteering at your local pool club, that is where ALL the teens hangout during the summer

That's the time in the summer when I'll have burnt out all of my usual babysitters and would be desperate for new energy. If you have friends who need sitting maybe you could refer them to her so she'll have pocket money for some special shopping while she's visiting? It can also help to kill off evenings here and there if you're stuck at home with sleeping kids or something.

I would also look into midsummer lifeguard training programs. She probably won't get a job out of it but everyone will be her age or a bit older and certification is good for a while so it's useful in the future.

If she's really bored you could also see if a local college has programs open to high schoolers (ours does but we moved out west) for the second summer term.

I'd look for volunteer opportunities or, depending on what she's into, an art, drama, sports, or dance camp or class. In my opinion, that's the best way to meet other kids during the summer. I hope you all enjoy your time together!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She should take some classes. A dance class, a class at a local community college, etc. Then she'll meet people.

Honestly, take her to the mall and let her do her thing - she'll find her people.

The mall? It's not 1983.

find her people at the mall? that seems a bit creepy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She should take some classes. A dance class, a class at a local community college, etc. Then she'll meet people.

Honestly, take her to the mall and let her do her thing - she'll find her people.

The mall? It's not 1983.

? Kids still go to the mall. All your post proves is that your 50th birthday is nearing.

A few days to explore the area and then a job and/or volunteer position. That's a very looooong visit.

Anonymous wrote:She should take some classes. A dance class, a class at a local community college, etc. Then she'll meet people.

Honestly, take her to the mall and let her do her thing - she'll find her people.

The mall? It's not 1983.

What is she interested in doing?

She should take some classes. A dance class, a class at a local community college, etc. Then she'll meet people.

Honestly, take her to the mall and let her do her thing - she'll find her people.

My 16-yr-old sister is visiting DC from mid-June through the beginning of August, and my husband and I were trying to think of ways for her to possibly meet other kids her own age, so I wanted to get ideas from other parents on this board.

Ideally she could get a summer job, but since she is flying up later in the summer, that's not a for-sure thing.

I was thinking volunteering, perhaps? Or maybe intramural sports?

We are located in Montgomery County, and google searches of "Summer teen activities in Bethesda" haven't yielded much.

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated