Anonymous wrote:Thanks, everyone. She hasn't arrived yet, but will next week. We live in an area not easily walkable and far from the summer school options. So, we took the suggestion of finding nearby kids her age. Since the sentiment seems to be that a 15 year old can handle some alone time, she will just go over to a neighbor's house once she wakes up. She is also an avid reader and will spend some days doing that. The pool is also walkable. Thanks everyone!

I recommend getting her a library card within the first week or so that she arrives, since she's a reader. If you haven't been using the online catalog, they can show her how when she gets her card. That way she can put things on hold for herself whenever she wants, and have them ready when you can get her to the library (or if there's a bus that goes there from your area, 15 is a very good age for learning to take public transportation if she hasn't done so already, and kids like having that bit of independence to get themselves places).

Best of luck to you and to her for the summer!

Thanks, everyone. She hasn't arrived yet, but will next week. We live in an area not easily walkable and far from the summer school options. So, we took the suggestion of finding nearby kids her age. Since the sentiment seems to be that a 15 year old can handle some alone time, she will just go over to a neighbor's house once she wakes up. She is also an avid reader and will spend some days doing that. The pool is also walkable. Thanks everyone!

I think that Brookside Gardens might accept teen volunteers for the Butterfly exhibit. A lot of summer teen volunteer opportunities are full, however.

MC Parks and Recreation may also have some entertaining activities.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the summer school suggestion. I looked into that and MCPS does accept non-residents (she lives on the west coast). But, class is over at 2pm and we couldn't get her til about 4. Do the schools allow kids to stay and study in the library or do you have to get them right away?

Does she need to be gotten? Can she get herself somewhere? I don't know where you live, where the school would be, or what her experience is in getting herself places.

I'm in MCPS and I have a 15 year old. Since your niece is living with you now, I would consider her a resident. You could even go through the motions of enrolling her for school (and then unenrolling her if necessary). My teen did a class at Montgomery College's youth program last year and enjoyed it. I don't know what your local public high school is, but some of the wealthier ones have their own summer academies with some enrichment classes and the opportunity to take Health or Tech for credit. The standard county summer school is going to be mainly remedial except for Health or Tech. There are nice camps through Imagination Stage and also Highwood Theatre that probably still have openings. I can't imagine my 15 year old not being busy. I know that this is an unexpected expense for you, and i'm sorry that she is in this situation. My DD has learned how to take the bus in safe areas and she also takes Uber when she needs to.

Anonymous wrote:Community colleges might have inexpensive summer courses for high school kids. We live in CA and I've seen them out here. My 15 year old is taking some art classes this summer. If you live somewhere reasonably accessible by public transport, she should be able to get back and forth by herself (help her figure out the route), so she doesn't need full day, just something to keep her from getting bored.

FCPS does reasonably priced busing for a lot of summer options. Many schools are walkable to the public library. Many are on bus routes. If you have a neighborhood FB group, chances are high that you could set up a carpool. Or that a rising senior would give her a ride home for gas money. There are always solutions.