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It seems the lack of activity for teens to enjoy that is not school related is pretty hard to find around Dade County. Sure there are community groups and things, but nothing that my peers would normally enjoy as I should.

I tend to wonder if there was more, would there be as much trouble as we have now from some of my peers?

Well the problem is WHAT constitutes interesting, fun, enjoyable activities by youth today!

Lets see now what kind of activties could a young person do in Dade County that would not cost money or get them in trouble...We have miles of hikeing trails,Miles of Lookout creek to explore from a canoe, Areas of history to be studied, Sorry there Billman ..Church youth groups who provide many need services got the needy and shut-in people of the County. Rec areas that could be updated and taken care of for people to go and hang out around a campfire and talk. Want Activitives...Get off you fat duff, Get away from the PC and discover the Wide, Wide World around you ....And see the possibilities and Quit griping about nothing to do!!!!

BUT OT none of that is interesting, fun, enjoyable!

Well, I for one growing up had very little time to get bored! Of course back then we had chores and homework, then if we were lucky we always found something to keep us busy or our parents would have found us something.

I really think it's much easier to sit and complain about not having anything to do than actually looking for something to do.

I have always heard that there is nothing to do here for the young people. What should there be? But keep in mind that a BUSINESS must be able to make money to stay in business.

I'm not here to complain about having nothing to do. I run in many clubs in my school, part of the dance team, President of the Teen Advisory Board and part of the Junior Chamber of the Trenton Tree Board. Than I have sibling football games, wrestling matches and other things I go to.

Yet I notice my peers in negative influences. There are church activities, but there's not much for teens around here. You could go to the park, but do you suggest such an activity during these cold times at the moment? We went to play football a week or two ago and I tell ya, it's brutal breathing that cold air running. Not fun when you're dead and tired after only a limited time, adding cold.

Just need some sort of activity around here to get teens more involved, in my honest opinion. Make it open, if there is something I don't see. Not everyone can just go outside and tell the same stories you can tell indoors. We've moved to such a different generation that not everyone needs to play actual sports either as it's not their thing. Just an alternative.

I guess what I'm mostly asking if there is something special in Dade County I don't see, or if there is something going to happen. The most I heard lately is there might be a stage built soon where anyone can come and try to join the crew. I see this as a very positive thing where teens can come and either get artistic, help, act and have a reason to get out and hang out with friends.

I guess sometimes you have to use your mind when trying to find something to do. I can remember playing football when it was cold, I was on the Green Bay Packers team and they always won on the cold days (in my mind). Just like I've heard during the times we tried to get people (kids) to sing at Christmas on the Stage in the Park. It was to cold for them to sing and play, but when it snows, it's never to cold, even if it's wet to play out in it.

The lack of things to do for teens is the teens fault. They want the most reward for the least amount of work. I will answer your question with a question...."I guess what I'm mostly asking if there is something special in Dade County I don't see, or if there is something going to happen." Where is somthing special somewhere else? What is something special you want to see? You spoke of a stage being built but one has been in the park for the past five years. You want to guess how many times it's been used? We have offered many times to host anything teens wanted but seldom got any response.

A skate board park was discussed but little if any support was given even from the teens who said they wanted one.

The skating rink closed down along with an amusment park behind Hardees.


The Jr. Chamber host dances and you should see how the teens dress and act.

I could go on and on but it makes me look as if I'm bitter if I tell the truth.......

I don't see where people say such things. A skate boarding park was a highly recommended thing that many people (while in Middle School - Freshman class) asked for. They had a large amount of signatures at one of the family fests, yet from my knowledge nothing was honestly done.

As stated before everything attracted to teens seem to be indoor activities as of late. We held a Teen Lock-In at the library in 2009 and had a wonderful turn out. Advertisement is a key, as I know and the school is the best information. If there was anything said of using the stage at the park, than nothing was obviously heard.

Just found out a just an hour ago that there was an MMA class close to here. If I remember correctly, located at the Genesis Gym? I might look a bit more into that.

I understand, I was there when the skateboard event was held at Family Fest. But you have to understand that it takes work to get something done in the county. There is a short supply of money (except when it's the city on S.P.L.O.S.T.) and someone with a bigger agenda than the skateborad park. I supported the skateboard park (because of all the businesses that complained about them) to the DDA. I would have liked to seen the skateboard park built but there were a group of people that just dropped the ball because they felt left out. You have to fight for everthing you want but you must also WORK toward getting it done. At least that's the way it used to be with the "Other Mayor".

As stated before everything attracted to teens seem to be indoor activities as of late. We held a Teen Lock-In at the library in 2009 and had a wonderful turn out. Advertisement is a key, as I know and the school is the best information. If there was anything said of using the stage at the park, than nothing was obviously heard.


Billie, it would suprise you to know that we done everthing but take the mic to announce the events for teens in Dade County. Several meeting with Mrs. Priest and other School Officials did little to get anything done to get the school system involved. I received an e-mail about needing teens to help the eldery during this cold snap... Did they announce that? Just some of the inside info that teens never have been aware of....

The skating rink closed down along with an amusement park behind Hardees.

So that was what that was! The children and I eat lunch after Sunday school, and sit in the drive through wondering what that area was used for, amazing how you amuse 6 children in the drive thru!

We first Bill the big issue is that you are rejecting anything 'church based' and that is IMHO is what the churches are for forming and help children reach there potential -- but they have rules. "Teens" today absolutely reject anything that restrains them at all. Even Scouts are a 'religous' based program with rules of order. Oh, and 4-H? I grew up in 4-H in Catoosa county in the '80s, I never had a weekend that I was doing something. I have seen how 'children' dress today, and act -- it would be very difficult to 'chaperon' and keep them safe. The school was having difficulty just keeping cell phones out, how would anyone else be able to host dances/classes/or whatever and take the responsibility for these children? Every heard of "Thriller" that was a 'teen club' on Brainard Road in the '80s and it was 'the' place to go get whatever 'trouble' you wanted to get into. What if someone introduced alcohol or drugs? Who would be responsible for that? Who will be accountable? It seems that folks around her are afraid of that word -- makes me think of Maynard G Krebs from Dobie Gillis -- he was afraid of the word 'work'. Honestly, with 'teens' these days I would not want to be responsible for them anyway.

As far as the skate board park -- there is a big difference in middle schoolers signing a petition and capable responsible adults standing up and saying "hey I am willing to do the work and maintain the structure". Look at the park behind Ingles -- there are several broken wood pieces on the 'pirate ship' that have been that way since September -- who is supposed to fix that?