Looking for a social life for my kids in Bath

Hi BPN community,
We are just settling in to Bath for a year.  I will be homeschooling my kids, in order to travel more over the year we are here. So, I need to work a little harder to find a social life for my kids.  I have a 14 yr old boy, who is into sports and facebook and books and normal teenage things, and is very interested in expanding his social circle.  I have an 11 yr old boy, who likes soccer, cooking and art.  My 8 yr old daughter likes girly things, horses, and dance.  Any ideas for creating a community?  Thanks in advance.

Just some initial ideas. if you have thought of them already:

I'd start by seeing what your local council puts on for kids those age and those interests.

http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/healthandsocial/childrenandfamilycare/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/communityandliving/childcare/Pages/default.aspx

Also the Local Education Authority may have information about area activities?

http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/educationandlearning/Schoolsandcolleges/Pages/default.aspx

RE: sports:

http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/leisureandculture/sports/Pages/default.aspx

Also Brownies?

http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/girls_in_guiding/brownies.aspx

Your oldest boy could volunteer in an area of interest:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/Workandcareers/Workexperienceandvolunteering/DG_066181

Or the Duke of Edinburgh Awards:

http://www.dofe.org/default.aspx

For advice, support and guidance re: homeschooling:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_178686
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Schoolslearninganddevelopment/ChoosingASchool/DG_4016124
http://www.heas.org.uk/
http://www.education-otherwise.org.uk/

Hope that helps. 

I don't have a specific idea to offer, but I have a son who is 13 and a daughter who is 10.  We don't live that far and go down to Bath occasionally, so if you think you'd like to meet up at some point you're welcome to send me a personal message. 

What about something like Girl guides or Scouts for your younger one?

Also maybe a theatre group like stagecoach? I used to love Stagecoach when I was a kid, you do acting, singing, dancing and rotate around, work in groups put on little shows etc.
http://www.stagecoach.co.uk/index.php

For your older one, what about skate boarding lessons? http://www.skateboardschool.co.uk/

the Netmums website has listings of local stuff to do.

Think this is the one for Bath
http://www.netmums.com/home/localhome/somerset/

Hi! I live in Bath. I have an eight year-old boy and two much older kids. I'll have a think about social activities for kids around here, but I just wanted to say hello and welcome first off. Where in Bath are you living? I'm in Camden (north of the centre).

Hi! I live in Bath. I have an eight year-old boy and two much older kids. I'll have a think about social activities for kids around here, but I just wanted to say hello and welcome first off. Where in Bath are you living? I'm in Camden (north of the centre).

I can't believe your youngest is EIGHT now!!! Wow!   

And my oldest is a university graduate, and my middle one has just packed off to uni! It's all a little hard to digest sometimes!

Ever get back to Bath, Kim? I'd love to meet up. But that's another post...

CAadventuress, there are some football clubs your sons might be interested in here, though, sorry to say, I don't know any details. There's the Bath City Football Club and, on this side of town, the Larkhall Football Club. I know there are dance studios around Bath. I think there's one in Widcombe (at St. Mark's Church?) and, again, in Larkhall, there's the Garraway Centre which holds dance classes. It's also worth picking up a program at The Egg Theatre, behind the Theatre Royal. I know they have theatre workshops for kids, especially during half-term holidays. If you haven't been there already, The Egg does wonderful productions for kids of various ages. If your kids like roller skating, there's the Pavillion, near the leisure centre. We've never been there, but it's a popular meeting place.

Hope this helps. I forgot to mention to you, I grew up in Sunnyvale.   

Thank you, everyone for the ideas.  And thank you, Septic, for the offer - I would love to meet up sometime.  I'm sorry it took me so long to reply.  We are still without broadband at home - UNBELIEVABLE!  I have been here a month!  So I have been mooching off the Apple Store's free WiFi and going to Starbucks in a pinch.  Should have it by Halloween though.  Anyway, I have been doing only what absolutely needs to be done as quickly as possible and haven't kept up with UK Yankee. 

We live on Bathwick Hill.  We don't have a car at this point, but are planning to join City Car Club, so should be more mobile soon.  Will be traveling in Ireland next week, but back the following one.  Will follow up on all the suggestions when we get back.

I second the Netmums thing. Try Meet a Mum. I've met loads of ladies in my area that way. Some I've become closer with than others, but it's a great way to meet people.