Youth in Model Railroading is a good organization and should be commended in trying to get kids into the hobby. While I find (as the president of the Lowell Division) that there are many nice, calm, and mature children in the club, there are also a good amount of members that are unrestrained by their parents. I can think of several examples, and though it won't do any good to mention them, you need to be able to put your foot down. Having a hyper-active 8 year old running laps around a hobby shop, or sending club trains flying off the layout to their demise on the floor is not the way to make a good impression on the older hobbyists.
I hope in saying this I'm not scaring you away from helping out. By all means you should, because there are many great people, both kids and adults, that you will get along with. It's the select few who's parents have no control over that need to be talked to as soon as a situation arises.
If you do happen to make it to the Greenburg Show that is a good opportunity to meet the couple that started the club, the parents, and the kids.
Alex
The YMR group in the western burbs of Boston is quite active. They have a modular group which is at pretty much every local show. The modules are all more-or-less made by the boys and girls (yes, girls) in the club. There is a strong and continuing adult presence as well.
I can't say for sure, but I would expect to see them at the Greenberg show in Wilmington, MA in November, if you happen to be down this way. My LHS, Maine Trains in Chelmsford, MA (www.mainetrains.com) has supported the group in the past, and may be able to give you some contact information.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
MrMick ...does anyone have any practical experience or knowledge of this organization, either good or bad? I would be interested in knowing anything anyone could add about how this group works before i commit to being a facilitator etc.
...does anyone have any practical experience or knowledge of this organization, either good or bad? I would be interested in knowing anything anyone could add about how this group works before i commit to being a facilitator etc.
Well...more in the way of background than personal interaction, but I can offer that YMR hasn't been around all that long. It emerged in 1996, whereas the TAMR (Teen Age Model Railroaders) association has been around much, much longer...in fact, since around 1970...and is certainly better known. To my knowledge, however, and I suppose not really surprisingly, neither organization seems to be very large, nor does one ever seem to encounter much evidenced of either organization's efforts in the major magazines (outside of perhaps MRN).
CNJ831
Worlds Greatest Hobby might have something to help you. Also, there is a section in Model Railroad News that is written by teenage folks. You can e-mail them at tamr@modelrailroadnews.com. There is also a thread in these forums by teenagers.
Glad to hear your are interested in getting the next generation into the hobby.
Good luck,
My LHS has been talking about starting a chapter(?)/group of the Youth in Model RR organization; having been a youth coach and Boy Scout Asst scoutmaster - and still interested in working with kids - does anyone have any practical experience or knowledge of this organization, either good or bad? I would be interested in knowing anything anyone could add about how this group works before i commit to being a facilitator etc.
Thanks,
MR Mick,
York Maine
Workingon the New Haven, one day at a time