There is not much to do in Vennesla at the weekends. That is why the politicians have decided that the youth need more options and a positive place to be. So now we are waiting for a new building where young people can be. That will probably be finished in the January of year 2000. We are very excited. Here will have a disco, a skateboard-ramp, an internet-cafe, and last but not least :a big bowling-hall!
Finally the youth in Vennesla got other things to do in the weekends, than getting drunk or go to religious meetings .Many young people in Vennesla are active Christian, and they have a lot of places to be. The youth that are not active Christians, usually just hang around in the centre of Vennesla, or going to the city of Kristiansand.
Each Friday there is a disco for teenagers, on our youth-club called "The house". Two times a month there are arranged rave-parties for young people between 13 and 20 years old. Here they gather to dance and have fun, completely without alcohol or drugs.
Vennesla has a lot of good and varied activities to offer teenagers and young people. The opportunities have certainly improved lately, but hopefully it will get better over the years.
Music, dance and drama!MUSIC:
Vennesla Culture -School:
In Vennesla there's a culture school, which offer dance, drama and musiclessons
The youth learns how to play music, dance and act. And they learn to co-operate with each other.
The school has got a theathergroup, dancing -group and also a band
Vennesla Culture-school has existed for one year now.
The school band:
We've also got a very good school--band in Vennesla. It's the best school band in Vest-Agder. People in all ages are playing, and it's all kind of instruments.
Rock:
Vennesla has got a rockmusic-club.
The club has existed in 10 years. One of the band "Trail of tears" has been on a Europe tour.
Dance/drama:
There are a lot of Christian and religions dancing and drama groups in Vennesla. Through dance and music they're presenting the Gospel of Jesu Christ. They are dancing in schools and for other people.
They're practising a few hours a week.
Breakdance:
In Vennesla there's a group of youths that is dancing breakdance. Their group is called the attack Breakers and they have been dancing for one year now. There are six members in the Attack Breakers, and they are practising almost every day. They have done many appearances, so there are a lot of people who knows them. Breakdance is also called B-boying.
B-Boying is a type of dancing, which contains elements from gymnastics, battlesport and hip-hop. B-boying is a part of the hip-hop culture.
Sporting in Vennesla
There is many activities in Vennesla, for example Vinbjart sports club witch is the most popular club in the intire Vennesla.
The shooting club is also a very popular sport, and also we have the climb club.
And for those who are interested in wild life, then the scouts may be something for you or the hunting & fishing club.
We have also a swimming club, and it`s there for those who are crazy about swimming.
There is also a volleyball team and it`s very popular to.
Vinbjart sports club offers fotball and cross country skiing for for boys and girls, starting at the age of 8.
CHRISTIAN YOUTH Norway is a Christian country, but not everybody looks at them self as personal Christians/ active Christians. Active Christian youth in Vennesla have many things to do in their spare time. There are youth-clubs, choirs, dance/drama groups, scouting. Bible study groups and praying groups in the many Christian churches and chapels. There are also special meetings in the weekends for youth only. So there are probably more things to do for the Christian youth, then there are for the "not-Christians". This might be because there are so many churches and chapels, and each one has something to offer the youth.One year ago Vennesla got a brand new church. It is a Charismatic church named Filadelfia who owns and build the great, beautiful building. It is known as the best concert room in the southern part of Norway. Many youth gather there in the weekends.
At Vennesla Upper Secondary School there are a Christian student organisation called New Generation (in Norwegian; Ny Generasjon). They gather every week to pray, and have meetings. New Generation combines students from all churches. The organisation arranged recently a "Jesus week" at the school, where they had meetings with dancing and preaching. Many of the pupils came to watch. The purpose of New Generation is to tell every student about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Drug problems
There is a drug problem here in Vennesla. Like in other
communities you can get drugs easily if you have the right contacts.
One of the main reasons why so many young people abuse drugs is that it's cheaper than
alcohol in the beginning and it's much
easier to buy too. - But when you get addicted it gets more expensive. Another reason why
drugs are so popular is that they're
harder for parents to discover. If there were more things to do in Vennesla, we guess the
drug problem would be reduced.
By Heidi