Social things to do by myself over the summer?

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I can't stand being alone in my room all summer again and want to try making friends for once. I kind of feel like doing something church related since the people there are generally nice but I really hate it when they try to convert me or aren't as friendly when they find out I'm an atheist. I can't find anyone my age that wants to do something with me except for partiers that just want to get wasted.

maybe a the local sierra club or audubon? around here they have monthly group hikes. also there's a book club and a painting class at the local library as well as a knitting group there. all the library stuff is free. they even supply the books for the book club.

http://www.meetup.com can be a really good resource depending on where you are. just go to a movie group or book group, or group that goes out to eat.

I probably wouldn't go to church. Even though it can be a good place to socialize, people there generally tend to be a bit religious. Just being agnostic, has gotten people annoyed with me at my dads church.

I think the best thing to do, is to find a group centered around an activity you like, for a couple of different reasons. The first being, you will have a shared interest with everyone in the group from the start, and the second being you will be doing something you like (as opposed to say, listening to sermons).

So the first thing to figure out, is what do you like to do, that can be done in a group? Art, sports, card/board games, video games, all have large communities of people involved.

Second, look for a group in your area who does these things. For example, if you like card games, local fantasy stores often have card leagues that meet regularly.

Lastly, if you are having trouble finding a group, you can search for using a site like Meetups.com.

Good luck finding a group!

Is there a way you can lightly refer to yourself at church as an agnostic? Afterall, you don't know for sure for sure that there isn't a mountaintop somewhere where the traditional Greek gods live, even though the possibility is vanishingly unlikely. ;~)

Me again.

Most cities have some sort of summer recreation activities/classes for a nominal fee. They can be anything from Yoga to Spanish. That would be a good way to get out and meet people who are interested in the same things you are and live close enough to do stuff with.

If it's at all possible for you to work, even part time, at a job in your area of interest, that's another good way.

Check out your city calendar. They might have a Jazz Festival or dirt cheap movie showing in the local park or something.

Another thought on volunteering- you already like some of the people you met in Church. Ask them about volunteering opportunities. The change in venue may make them less inclined to try to convert you.

I have a theory that only about 1 out of 9 groups work out socially, so it's important to light-touch and respectfully visit a number of groups.

Some people attend a group like they might attend a movie, as a passive consumer experience and they have no interest in meeting other people, it's not even on their radar screen. That's okay. That's where they're at. But it does make it hard to get some casual conversation and social interaction going. Other times, the leader has a full plate and is not interested in delegating in major ways.

So again, respectfully visit a number of groups and appreciate the magic when it does happen.

I tried some of those meet up sites but all of the events around my town are clubs for adults or joint venture meetings. I'm really just trying to find a group of friends my age where I can join them and do stuff together. I'm not really into all those outdoor activities unless we're already friends, I tried it and everyone just stayed in their own groups. Eventually I joined one of their groups but after the trip we never talked again.

see if there are any groups in your aread on http://www.meetup.com/

I tried to rally myself to go to some events, but I'm too intimidated to meet strangers in person

I think it's easier to find friends based on lifestyle than interests. If you're atheist, there may be groups for atheists, skepticism, etc, that are more to your liking. There's more common ground that way.

Honestly, just go do things organized by the church. It's not like religion is the only thing they're going to be talking about, and in the unlikely event that someone "suspects" that you're an atheist, just pretend you're not. I'll caveat this by saying I'm a Christian, but honestly people I've met through church (in my part of the country at least), have been some of the nicest people I've ever met.