Teen has no friends to go abroad with.

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Hi - my very first post on mumsnet :) .

My DD is 18 next month and desperate to go on hols abroad. Her mate can't afford it and she doesn't have many other mates. I've really tried to widen her social group; but she doesn't have hobbies that she wants to pursue - she has a part time job at a shop and she's at college. She has made lots of friends but no-one close and they already seem to have close mates so she's always on the edge of their circle. Think we've exhausted all our ideas could really do with some new ones.

Are there organised activity-type holidays for that age-group - PGL type things I was thinking of where she'd go alone but meet others there?

Or some sort of exchange?

I have looked at the singles holidays but they start at age 24 (apart from the 18-30's but that's not for her)

Didn't think about an exchange and don't know what that entails but will google it thanks.

Camp America.........

I went to work in a Summer Camp in Upstate New York through BUNAC. It may be something to consider.

I would totally recommend something like Camp America or maybe even being a camp counsellor for an American or Canadian camp. It would look great on a CV, be tons of fun and would increase her confidence.

For example:
I'm not sure about what the issues would be for British people applying, But I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem.
www.ourkids.net/summer-camp-counselors.php

I just wish I had done something like that as a teen. I think it's a fab way to spend a holiday, rather than just lying on a beach.

What about a short-term volunteer holiday / working holiday ? Always easy to make friends doing that sort of thing.

Or just ask one or two of the college friends that she doesn't know that well - what's the worst that could happen? They say no, she is no worse off, in fact she is better off because they now know her as a confident person with her own ambitions who is friendly enough to invite other people to share them.

Exodus, Dragoman that sort of thing. Or take a look at STA travel.

I think it may be too late for a US summer camp this year. DS has been a camp counselor for two years and the selection procedure will be long over. She'd also have to get a visa and CRB check.
She could consider going on an UCPA holiday (these are mainly in France) which are cheapish and cheerful. DS learned how to swear fluently in French when he went on one.

After a quick google the exchange thing doesn't seem to be an option need to go for a year and costs an awful lot of money. The Camp/counselor sounds exciting but after a quick google they seem to need staff with specific experience - but definitely going to have another search this week when I can dedicate a bit of time. Thanks for ideas - feeling motivated again.

www.ourkids.net/camp/camp-job-details.php?eid=155

I don't know, you might find that thy need less specific experience than you would think. You know how they can gobbledegook things sometimes. For example above there are a few jobs there that don't need specific stuff. And its a totally gorgeous part of the world.
It may be too late in the day to apply, then again, it might be worth a go. Or perhaps she could go and be a chalet maid at Esprit or something, in the Alps. They always seem to be needing people and the staff are these gorgeous things having a really fun time.

I did Camp America with just a few weeks work experience in the local primary schools. It was amazing, very hard work but I got to travel very cheaply to quite few places with friends form camp at the end.