[MR] Teenagers and Pennsic

[GREG FABIC]

Greetings,

I am a parent of 2 teens who have been brought up in
the Society (my daughter is almost 15, my son is now
19). My daughter is VERY active in SCA, my son is not.
I have read all the postings on this issue (so far)
and wish to post my experiences/thoughts.

I try to always keep in mind that this is MY CHOSEN
hobby. My children have had to come along whether they
wished to or not. Yes, I said 'had to'. (Let's not get
into discussions about day care, camp grandma and
other such ways of "unloading" the kids. Sometimes you
can, sometimes you can't.)

I have been quite grateful that the 'bathhouse' has
been a refuge for my son. Although he does some
service, this hobby was not of his choosing. Should he
be made to spend his 2 weeks doing things the SCAdian
way just because he was given no choice? 

In all the years that my children have spent time with
their peers at the 'bathhouse' I have never once been
disrespected. Sometimes they DO use foul language, but
what teen doesn't when they're with their own age
group? And if they notice an adult around, they
usually apologize.

As for a 'teen camp', well it might work at a Kingdom
event. Unfortunately, the conditions which make it a
requirement to be the parent or full legal guardian of
a minor at Pennsic would negate such an endeavor. And
even if it were possible, who would volunteer to staff
it? We don't get enough volunteers at Pennsic as it
is!

Personally, I have no doubt that the Pennsic staff and
the Cooper's will review the situation and come up
with  a solution, if it is required. 

If you have suggestions, the mayor for Pennsic 38 is
Baron Illiame Uaine. He can be reached at
mayor38 at pennsicwar.org

Thanks for your time (now let the flaming begin),
Livia of Ravenswode