Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Mar 18, 2015 20:43:40 GMT -5
When you were a kid or teenager, what extracurricular activities did you partake in? This includes sports, clubs, things like that.
Do you feel they helped you as an adult? Do you force your kids to partake in certain extracurricular activities? What value do they provide?
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billisonboard
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Post by billisonboard on Mar 18, 2015 21:09:17 GMT -5
I did theater in high school. I got the lead last night in our community theater troupe so it did help.
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ken a.k.a OMK
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Post by ken a.k.a OMK on Mar 18, 2015 21:12:21 GMT -5
I was in the amateur radio club since I was interested in electronics from the age of 12. Ended up becoming an electrical engineer. My parents didn't really know what I was doing.
I ran track in high school and played some CYO soccer. My parents never saw me do any of it. Again they didn't know what I was doing.
I coached youth soccer and my son played. I think he learned something about giving back. He coaches youth ice hockey (our 9 and 7 yo gs's) and plays in an adult league.
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Malarky
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Post by Malarky on Mar 18, 2015 21:16:06 GMT -5
High school was 16 miles from my house. It took so long to get home, that there was no way I was staying after for some club.
Extra curricular activities revolved around smoking lounge, pick up football games, four wheeling and NotBowling. My parents were convinced that I spent and inordinate amount of time at the bowling alley. And "skiing." There was a free bus every afternoon to the local ski area. I majored in "lounge."
I still managed to pull A's, graduate a year early and get into college.
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Mar 18, 2015 22:19:43 GMT -5
Piano, violin, dance, theater, art, crafts, sewing, softball, basketball, scouting.
Even though I turned out to have no real talent for music, I think the music training probably helped wire my brain for learning foreign languages, which I turned out to be good at and turned into a good career.
I enjoyed the dance, theater (at a theater school), and art (at an art museum school), but I was socially awkward and not attractive, so I was always an outsider in those activities, especially as the other participants came from more affluent, private-school backgrounds and I didn't really fit in. However, the theater training and experience did turn out to be extremely useful in my career as I am not afraid of public speaking and can do it well, not to mention being able to project my voice to the back of the house. When I was working, my briefings were well regarded, and on occasion, I was sought out when there was a briefing to be presented to some high-ranking audience because they knew I could be relied on not to panic and screw it up. I don't think I would have been as comfortable in front of an audience had I not had the theater training.
I liked crafts and sewing and still do them. I did not like sports. Scouting was okay, but I did not continue past middle school, so I didn't really get the full advantage of that experience.
I don't have any kids, but if I did, I think I would have encouraged them to participate in activities that interested them for the social interaction and horizon broadening such experiences provide.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Mar 18, 2015 22:31:12 GMT -5
Band and church. I am nerdy AND damaged.
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Peace Of Mind
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Post by Peace Of Mind on Mar 18, 2015 22:55:36 GMT -5
As a kid I was in band (played the snare and some other kind of drums), choir (I'm sure I was just background noise), Girl Scouts, Cheerleader, swim team, and probably some other random things at one time or another. As a teenager I was in a work program called the DCT (and was Treasurer) because I had more credits than needed so taking this class allowed me to leave school to work after 2 or 3 classes and still get full credit in my Jr. and Sr. year. I was also a Keyette (Treasurer). I don't recall doing much of anything else other than skipping school, getting high, going to the beach and partying with friends. It was a lot of fun until I'd get caught. Oh, and I worked as much as possible after school, weekends and holidays.
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toomuchreality
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Post by toomuchreality on Mar 19, 2015 4:37:52 GMT -5
I was in gymnastics, band and acapella. In my 'younger years' I also took piano and clarinet lessons and was a Brownie scout as well as a Girl scout, I also attended church functions and activities and was a member of DECA. In addition, I was in several skits and plays. All of the above were either done according to the way they were intended, or they were a good excuse/cover for something else I wanted to do. For the most part, they were done because I had an interest. Usually the interest was of a social nature. Pretty much everything I did, if I did it voluntarily, revolved around a social aspect in some way or another. I didn't force my kids to join, or be part of any thing/group/club. But then, I didn't need to. I think there are both good and bad things to be said, for any/every type of group activity. When deciding, give some thought to expense, as well as: How willing are you to go to all the games/performances, drive child to weekly meetings/practices, not to mention following through if it isn't all you wanted, or expected? Group activities can help a child learn to be, and to take responsibilities, in many ways. They can also help a child grow and develop socially. Unfortunately there are no guarantees.
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Mar 19, 2015 5:33:49 GMT -5
I never did any sports activities until I was late teens because my parents weren't athletic so they never signed me up for anything like that. Turns out I love physical activity! I did start playing an instrument at 4 (upon my request) so I had lessons for that and started going to an after school program for a 2nd language when I was 8. I wish I'd been exposed to sports more.
My DS is almost 5 and he's on the uncoordinated side. So far I've been signing him up for non-competitive sport activities. He's done soccer, swimming and gymnastics. I'm really just trying to expose him to this stuff early so when he starts school and has gym class, he kind of already has a feel for it as I don't think he'll be a natural. So far my approach has always been to offer him up the choice of a couple classes and he picks one.
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Cookies Galore
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Post by Cookies Galore on Mar 19, 2015 6:10:27 GMT -5
So I'm the only one who smoked up with friends after school?
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Mar 19, 2015 7:01:10 GMT -5
So I'm the only one who smoked up with friends after school? Apparently
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steph08
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Post by steph08 on Mar 19, 2015 7:15:08 GMT -5
Band, chorus, drama club, musical, track, cross country, Girl Scouts, FBLA, Science Olympiad, Quiz Bowl, ski club, cheerleading. I also did softball, basketball and volleyball in my younger years. I still run, though I can't really attribute that to track - I was mid-distance (800m). DH and I talk all the time about what DD will want to do when she's in school (she's 8 months old). So far, she is going to be the smartest kid, but also the best in basketball, volleyball, softball, and track. Really, DH wants her to play basketball; I want her to run track so I have a training partner! The genius-level IQ is a given.
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ArchietheDragon
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Post by ArchietheDragon on Mar 19, 2015 7:17:52 GMT -5
I was a band geek. I did soccer my freshman year, but after that it was marching band, concert band, jazz band, I took private piano and saxophone lessons. I also did geeky things like the Junior Engineering Team competitions.
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mmhmm
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Post by mmhmm on Mar 19, 2015 7:31:45 GMT -5
Drama/theater, choir/ensemble choir, and sang with a local band on weekends for my last year in high school. Singing gigs and some modeling helped me finance my first fling in college.
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cronewitch
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Post by cronewitch on Mar 19, 2015 8:18:56 GMT -5
I was in Brownies once but when it went to Girl Scouts I had to quit since they moved it to a Catholic Church. I was treasurer of Girls athletic Association in Jr High and in the high school year was in Civil Air Patrol. Most things we weren't allowed like little league since they cost money, pretty much not allowed anything that cost money.
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Mar 19, 2015 8:23:10 GMT -5
I did karate for about six years, from 6th grade to high school graduation. I also was involved in youth group at church in high school. even though it wasn't a extracurricular activity per se, I also worked at a Home Depot type store in college.
It's hard to point to a tangible benefit. I think I learned good safety and situational awareness from karate, as well as how to fall properly. It's a useful skill when you fall on the ice. Beyond that, the only benefits seem to be good memories.
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Mar 19, 2015 8:24:47 GMT -5
Drama/theater, choir/ensemble choir, and sang with a local band on weekends for my last year in high school. Singing gigs and some modeling helped me finance my first fling in college. How many flings in total?
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Mar 19, 2015 8:25:20 GMT -5
I was in Brownies once but when it went to Girl Scouts I had to quit since they moved it to a Catholic Church. I was treasurer of Girls athletic Association in Jr High and in the high school year was in Civil Air Patrol. Most things we weren't allowed like little league since they cost money, pretty much not allowed anything that cost money. What's civil air patrol?
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mmhmm
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Post by mmhmm on Mar 19, 2015 8:29:39 GMT -5
Drama/theater, choir/ensemble choir, and sang with a local band on weekends for my last year in high school. Singing gigs and some modeling helped me finance my first fling in college. How many flings in total? LOL! My first degree was in Psychology. What can I say? It was the 60s - so, shoot me. Decided I liked school so got a bachelor's in Biology. Then, left the country for a lotta years. When we returned, I went back to school for a nursing degree, worked a couple of years and returned to school for a master's in nursing.
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cronewitch
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Post by cronewitch on Mar 19, 2015 8:37:07 GMT -5
Civil Air Patrol was founded just before WWII by General Curtis Lemay. When it started it was retired air force and they guarded our shores and spotted enemy planes. After WWII they allowed cadets between 13-18 and the mission switched to Search and Rescue.
We had a drill team, parties, practice search and rescue and classes on military things and survival and camping trips. We had flying lessons if anyone could afford to pay for gas for planes and a senior member offered.
We also had a hands across the border program where we had an exhange with Canada. We would take about 100 of us to Canada and Stay with the Royal Canadian Sea or Air cadets families then they would come stay with us. We had dances and parties and we would all go to Portland to see the CAP cadets there. I ended up dating a Royal Canadian Sea Cadet for almost a year. My brother married CAP cadets and I dated one the year before the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet. All of our friends were cadets none of us dated kids from school and we hung out in big groups parties at kids houses all the time.
I was a cadet then later a senior member and on the drill team, lead the senior drills and was on a rifle team. I can build a shelter with just a pocket knife, useful skills.
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luckyme
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Post by luckyme on Mar 19, 2015 8:43:57 GMT -5
Well, I'm going way too far back, but no one in our neighborhood did anything that required money. So we spent a lot of time running around the neighborhood, climbing trees, tag, kickball, etc. When it rained, we were on the porches playing board and card games. We also use to have pajama parties, where we all dressed up in pajamas and paraded around the neighborhood; the neigbors would come out and clap for us. High school, the only sport the girls played was field hockey or they were cheerleaders. I was in advanced chorus and FBLA.
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MJ2.0
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Post by MJ2.0 on Mar 19, 2015 8:45:09 GMT -5
let's see.... band, baton-twirling, Scouts, volleyball, theater, swim team, field, chorus, key club, National Honor Society... that's all I can remember from K-12.
They padded my transcript so I could get into a decent school, so I guess it helped. Other than that, it was a great way to make friends.
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billisonboard
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Post by billisonboard on Mar 19, 2015 9:29:04 GMT -5
So I'm the only one who smoked up with friends after school? After school? Lightweight! My geometry teacher wore heavy pancake makeup which by our class after lunch would be cracked. I used to spend the whole class period tracing the major ones and their tributaries. Actually that is only partially true. Our theater group in high school was very serious. Once you accepted a role for an incoming production, you were on your best behavior. You did nothing to compromise the show. Total commitment to the group you chose to join is one of the important things I learned from my extracurricular experience.
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Cookies Galore
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Post by Cookies Galore on Mar 19, 2015 9:33:11 GMT -5
So I'm the only one who smoked up with friends after school? After school? Lightweight! My geometry teacher wore heavy pancake makeup which by our class after lunch would be cracked. I used to spend the whole class period tracing the major ones and their tributaries. Actually that is only partially true. Our theater group in high school was very serious. Once you accepted a role for an incoming production, you were on your best behavior. You did nothing to compromise the show. Total commitment to the group you chose to join is one of the important things I learned from my extracurricular experience. There was that one time I ate a pot cookie during algebra! That's my problem, total commitment to nothing. I went to school, worked, did homework, hung out with friends. Pretty typical teenage stuff. I was an honor student and took AP government for fun. It was really easy, I loved that class. I think once a month or so we'd play trivial pursuit, class vs. teacher. Oh wait! I was a yearbook editor my senior year. I did do something!
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Formerly SK
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Post by Formerly SK on Mar 19, 2015 9:39:09 GMT -5
This is nice to read because my kids (8&10) haven't been in any activities since Oct and it's been pretty nice (they'll start baseball in a month, though). I wrestle with the fact they aren't getting exposure to all these things that it seems kids are "supposed" to get exposure to, but on the other hand we're saving a crapload of money and spending hours and hours together playing games or whatever. Kids are currently writing two different plays, a book, DS1 is learning coding, and DS2 is reading several books aloud to me, etc. All good things, but there's that guilt they aren't getting exposure to all that other stuff.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Mar 19, 2015 9:39:39 GMT -5
I was in theatre in high school. I am a lifelong member of my HS's thespian troupe. The 1015 behind my screen name is the troupe number. As an adult I think it helped b/c it gave me self confidence, I found something I was good at. It also helped me learn to deal with my painful shyness/stage fright. I am not going to get very far if I can't talk to people without my knees shaking. Public speaking is a very useful skill to have, a lot of people do not have it and my former PI commented that he's seen a lot of scientists sink due to being unable to present in a public forum. I am not going to force my daughters to be in any activities but I am going to encourage them to try and support whatever it is they want to try. Gwen wants to do dance and has already asked me if she can be a cheerleader. Took me by surprise b/c I am SO not cheerleader material, how did I manage to produce a kid that wants to be one? She's also said she wants to play an instrument. That makes DH proud b/c he played trumpet and was first chair in band. Abby's current extracurricular activity is trying to figure out how to crawl.
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NancysSummerSip
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Post by NancysSummerSip on Mar 19, 2015 9:49:37 GMT -5
Played field hockey, volleyball and softball in high school, a member of the choir, National Honor Society and was on the editorial board of the year book. Took AP classes in English, History and Spanish, I was a Girl Scout and also worked part time. Dang, I look at that list and I get tired. Funny, life still hasn't really slowed down. College wasn't any quieter; I did four years of coursework in three years by not taking time off (I went cheaper in the summer by going to a community college and transferring credits) and I worked part time for two of the three years. Still pretty active these days: two jobs (one part time), swim team, running, cycling, running club board member and sporadic volunteer work at a homeless shelter and local motorsports track. I think I may spend my first week of retirement in a chair, just sitting.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2015 9:54:02 GMT -5
I took part in absolutely ZERO extracurricular activities...at least school related ones. If you count skipping school to play quarters at 9am or ride horse. Yeah...lots of that.
I throw a lot at my kids to see if anything sticks. So far, not much luck with older son. He likes band (but never practices) and likes scouts, but that's about it. I'm ok with that because scouts is a huge time suck. At least it's been cheap, but that's about to change too.
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flamingo
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Post by flamingo on Mar 19, 2015 10:05:48 GMT -5
I did gymnastics, cheerleading, baton, track, tennis. I was also in Key Club, National Honor Society and couple random social type clubs in high school. My mom never really pushed me into sports and wasn't real happy I wanted to do gymnastics and cheerleading. She has a health problems that limit her ability to be physically active and she pushed that mindset on me when I was younger. Once I was in college, I became more active, played tennis a LOT more, and took up running about 8 years ago.
It really helped me socially to be involved the little that I was. I was painfully shy until after I graduate from college. Now, I tell people that, and they laugh at me. I've definitely come out of my shell
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Mar 19, 2015 10:24:59 GMT -5
Keep in mind, this is a long time-span, and some of these activities were for a very limited part of it. A little bit of these: gymnastics, soccer, swim lessons, softball, track, tennis, debate team and color guard. Churchy stuff via Catholic elementary and after when I went to a public school. A few years of: marching band, theater, National Honor Society. Several years of the following: brownies/girl scouts, band, ballet.
I probably would have done less if there were other kids in the neighborhood that I could play with. There were not, so some of this made up for a lack of playmates.
DS1 has taken a few week long music and movement class for toddlers. We just signed him up for tee ball. I plan on getting him into scouts later on (because DH is an eagle scout, but maybe not too much if DS isn't that into it), swim lessons, and some sort of music. Maybe some other sports, if he seems to enjoy them. I don't want to push him too much, but want him to gain some benefit from the different activities.
ETA: almost forgot, a couple years of choir.
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