[MR] SCA Kids and Teenagers

[Dawn Davis]

Well...this has certainly been an interesting thread. Let me introduce myself again.....
This is Hanim Kisaiya, the Atlantian Chancellor of Youth. Seeing as the youth programs for kids and teens have been begging for input, I think that this is a great discussion. I encourage every single person who has an opinion on how to better involve our kids and teens into the SCA to contact me off this list. I would love to hear them. LOVE IT! 
I would like to throw a couple of thoughts at you though on this topic....
a) We often have activities planned for kids and teens and then very few people utilize them. Why?? We dont know. We would like to know. If you are a parent, teen or youth, tell me. What is it that you want to see?? 
b) Often is is very difficult to find folks to staff programs-classes, activities, competitions, etc. for the kids and teens. We spend a lot of time begging for folks to run stuff. If you have an opinion, volunteer. We will celebrate you and you will help actually make a change. Be the change you want to see (to horribly paraphrase Gandhi). 
c) Often autocrats dread having youth or teen oriented activities at their events for the above reasons and because the idea is that it is hard to comply with the rules. I encourage folks autocratting events to get in touch with me or my deputies. We will try our best to help you. If you never ask, we will never know you need help. As for the rules...they are different now...go to the youth section of the Atlantian Web Site. Check the new stuff out. Give us suggestions. We love input. 
d) If you have kids, volunteer to be a local chancellor of youth. It is not as painful as some folks think. If you are interested talk to your seneschal or talk to me. I will do my best to help you out! 
The biggest idea I can put forth is that the kids, teens, youth, whatever you call them should be part of our society. Not separated from us. They should be given chances to participate. Remember that enforced labor is not always fun. Sitting all day in a classroom while folks are outside messing around is not always what you want to be doing. If you think it would be no fun, younger folks probably would too. Just remember....those under 18 are people too. Treat them with the same respect as you want from them. 
Keep on talking folks...I am taking notes! Be the Change!!!! 
Thank you
Hanim Kisaiya Zingara