• Social activities are a great way to meet people and stay active.Paul Burns/Digital Vision/Getty Images
  
  In order to maintain friendships, we must be willing to extend ourselves and make ourselves available to others, according to Psychology Today's article on the topic of friendship. Social activity enables interactions within groups. Staying active can take preparation or can be spontaneous. You keep active with day-to-day tasks, however, it is nice to be a part of a group doing something fun and active together.
  
  

Book Clubs

• Book clubs offer a fun and relaxing way to stimulate groups of people.women sitting reading books/novels in the sun image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
  
  Nothing fosters communication and interaction like discussing the latest and greatest book of the month. Book clubs offer intellectual stimulation in a variety of different settings. Host a book club event and invite friends over for discussions and snacks in your very own living room, or have a designated meeting space at the local coffee shop. Book clubs offer the versatility of when and where and what; you set your own schedule. Joining an already existing book club offers a great way to meet new friends and have new interactions.
  
  

Athletics

• Release any competitve juices while having fun and meeting people with social sports.sunday morning image by Dariusz Kopestynski from Fotolia.com
  
  Not your old gym class, organized social sports are a huge resource for meeting groups of like-minded people, getting fit and having fun. According to a United Nations study, "Access to and participation in sport is a human right and essential for individuals of all ages to lead healthy and fulfilling lives." Organizations develop social sports networks for those looking to meet people and have friendly competitions. Sports are organized with games and tournaments, ranging from softball, kickball and dodge ball to bowling, flag/touch football and volleyball. Some are larger networks with fees associated to join, and others can be specific by culture or interest.
  
  

Volunteering

• Help those in need and organize volunteer groups.help image by John Sfondilias from Fotolia.com
  
  Service work is rewarding and beneficial to society and to you. Gather a group of friends and give back to your community. Start a donation drive for food, clothes or blood. Join larger volunteer networks like Habitat for Humanity and help build homes for the needy, or the Humane Society where you can care for animals looking for homes, or the American Red Cross and assist with disaster relief. Make an impact on your community by volunteering at your local hospital or church. Around the holidays, look to help feed the homeless. Take the opportunity to gather with friends and make a difference.