[MR] teens

[Gina Shelley]

I am offering this up as a little food for thought. I have noticed that when we set up the Old Dun Cow (Painted Wheel's roving public house, where "open mike" bardics happen and hot chocolate is served on cold nights), it tends to fill up with young folks, especially if we have it open after dark. They come in, hang out, share songs, sing, borrow or bring drums and such, and generally are perfect guests. I guess they feel welcome (as well they should, because they are VERY welcome in our pub), they can participate in what's going on, and they don't feel like they are being monitored like children. Our pub is family friendly, with no smoking. Teenage drinking is not allowed, and we don't pull out the off-color songs if kids are around. You can even write on the walls (provided you entertain first. That's the rule, you have to earn the right to grafitti your name on the wall).
 
They'll even come hang out if we DON'T set the Cow up. Wanna know what my guitar case fills up with at events if I leave it open? Candy. Kids have candy, so that is the currency they "tip" us with. (I love that, I think it's just so sweet, pardon the pun.)
 
So, what I have learned from all this is that young people, from young children to older teens, like music. Especially if they are encouraged (in a no-pressure enviroment) to participate. 
 
Just thought I'd throw that out there. Maybe a similar environment might be good to consider for the young folks to hang out in on a regular basis, if it were feasable to do such a thing.
 
Dulcy
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