MIDDLETON, Wis. -- On a frigid January Saturday night with temperatures falling below zero, it's no surprise that some people -- feeling perhaps that their recreation options are limited -- stay close to home and imbibe in a few cocktails.

But some area teenagers are venturing out of their homes -- not to find liquor, but specifically to enjoy non-drinking activities. The idea behind "Sober Saturday Nights" at Keva Sports Center in Middleton is to provide a place for teenagers to come where they can have fun, avoid trouble (and the peer pressure that often leads to trouble) and realize that there are other things to do on a weekend besides getting drunk.

"A lot of kids don’t have the confidence to stand up and say, 'I’m going to be sober,'" said Ali Stone, a senior at Middleton High School.

That's a big reason why Stone came up with the idea of "Sober Saturday Nights."

"I think it’s really important for sober kids to know other sober kids to have a network of people," said Stone.

Not surprisingly, Stone's mother said she's proud of her daughter's initiative.

"The whole idea of this, being initiated by a kid, I think it makes all the difference in the world," said Ali's mother, Debbie Garten.

Others seem to approve too -- if the crowd gathered for the first "Sober Saturday Night" is any indication.

Joshua Funmaker came all the way from Baraboo to make fun at Keva.

"Where I come from, it's nothing but alcohol, nothing but drugs, you know, a lot of Native American students don't graduate high school," he said.

Funmaker said he has seen bottle and the damage done and he's trying to convince his friends that the best buzz is a natural one.

"My dad was a really bad alcoholic," said Funmaker. "He's now in prison, so I grew up not having a dad."

Stone hopes that her program won’t end with her graduation from Middleton this year.

"I really hope someone will step up and take it over after I leave," said Stone.

The cost for the evening of fun is just $5, and the program is the first Saturday night of the month through April, with an extra night at the end of the month.

In attendance on opening night was Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, an outspoken opponent of alcohol abuse.

For more information, go to Keva's Web site.