Being a leader for a church Youth Grooup I had an idea to get the gang interest in model railroading. We have a Youth Room in the church that could house a layout, probably on the order of a dogbone running the lengh of the room along one wall about 25' in length.
Just curious if anyone as tried this before. I am an HO modler so was thinking of this scale. Youth are young teens and the room is also used for pool and ping pong.
I don't think we would begin with detail modeling but more of an interest in operating the trains. Thinking of a starter DCC set keeping cost as low as possible.
Any recommendations and suggestions would be appreciated. Maybe it is not a good thing for this age group as they are rather active.
Bill Butler
Many years ago, a group of us started a layout group at a residence facility for troubled youth ages 12-17. Because they were residents we had no problems with attendance. However, we found that they liked many things more than the railroading. They liked the attention they were getting and even with a large group, it was difficult finding enough people to pay attention to them. This was made more difficult by the fact that I had recruited modelers, not youth workers.
They also like breaking things more than building things. Very few like the modeling itself and none were interested in the more difficult tasks. None were close to as interested as the men who were working the layout. The project finally collapsed on these conflicts.
I also ran a church sponcered drag racing club for many years. That worked much better for there were young people who were interested in building and racing a car. That project also was hard on leaders and cost a lot of money, but it was a success in my mind.
Good luck on your project. Keep us posted, for though I am long retired, I am still interested in creative youth work.
This is an interesting idea.
A person on another forum started model club at (I think) a middle school where the kids had probably never seen model railroading. If I remember right it was an after school club. He had very good results, in my recollection. They displayed their layout at some event, and were quite proud of it, and what they had learned.
I assume that you know the kids you would be working with. Is there a core group of them that you think, from your observations, would enjoy this? If you think so, I think you might want to talk to them, and see what they think. They might also be able to give you a sense of whether it would work as a project for all of the kids.
Jeff But it's a dry heat!
Yeah, I dunno. I also work with the Jr./Sr. High kids @ Church, but I doubt I would start a venture like this. Something about short attention spans and instant gratification coupled with MRR don't seem like a match made in "heaven" (Get it?...Heaven...Church......never mind.). In my experience, it would merely turn into a big social gathering...which isn't a bad thing, just don't expect to get a lot of real work done.
$.02
~ Jason
It's not such a crazy idea. Back when I was in high school and living in Cedar Rapids, IA a friend of mine introduced me to a local model railroad club. It was run by members of the local Optomist's Club, specifically for youths. The club met every Monday night in a room above the old HyVee gorcery store on First Ave. We had a sizeable HO layout, which was still in the process of being put back together, having just been moved from it's previous location.There were three or four adult advisors and about a dozen teenagers as club members.
I was only with the group for about a year, and then I left for college. Though I no longer live in Cedar Rapids, I still have family there so I get back evey once in awhile. The HyVee was torn down decades ago to make room for other commercial development. I often wonder what happened to that layout, and if the club is still in existence after all of these years.
I have figured out what is wrong with my brain! On the left side nothing works right, and on the right side there is nothing left!
why not setup a smal table with a locomotive running and just see what kind of reponse you get
you can make a flyer with the paper strips hanging with your phone # and have intersted partys give you a jingle
I too want to get the train ball rolling
Ken
I've always wanted to make a layout with Biblically based towns & industries. I had thought the Gomorrah sulpher mine, Eden Garden's Fruits & Vegtables, the coach yard at the sermon on the mount, Joseph Colored Fabric Company, Dead Sea Salts, etc.
Then the train names could also be themed like the crack passenger train being the Elijah Runner. The railroad could be famous for its "walking on water" bridges and crossing on dry bottom ocean cuts.
If the young people didn't know their Bible they won't get the jokes.
J Campbell wrote: ARTHILL wrote: I also ran a church sponcered drag racing club for many years... ...It was a difficult administration problem, for not all of the volenteer leaders were suitible for the task, especially the gay preditors who did show up on occassion......I also had to spend a lot of time explaining what "those kids" were doing in "our church" for they tended to play by different social rules then the rest...What the deuce?uh, anyway...Yeah, I dunno. I also work with the Jr./Sr. High kids @ Church, but I doubt I would start a venture like this. Something about short attention spans and instant gratification coupled with MRR don't seem like a match made in "heaven" (Get it?...Heaven...Church......never mind.). In my experience, it would merely turn into a big social gathering...which isn't a bad thing, just don't expect to get a lot of real work done.$.02
ARTHILL wrote: I also ran a church sponcered drag racing club for many years... ...It was a difficult administration problem, for not all of the volenteer leaders were suitible for the task, especially the gay preditors who did show up on occassion......I also had to spend a lot of time explaining what "those kids" were doing in "our church" for they tended to play by different social rules then the rest...
...It was a difficult administration problem, for not all of the volenteer leaders were suitible for the task, especially the gay preditors who did show up on occassion...
...I also had to spend a lot of time explaining what "those kids" were doing in "our church" for they tended to play by different social rules then the rest...
What the deuce?
uh, anyway...
Art never said that stuff in his previous quote. Why are you embellishing?
Budliner wrote: why not setup a smal table with a locomotive running and just see what kind of reponse you get you can make a flyer with the paper strips hanging with your phone # and have intersted partys give you a jingle I too want to get the train ball rolling Ken
Bill,
I think ole' BudLiner hit the nail on the head. I would start small, maybe a simple 4x8 and see if you can attract a group. Even if you get 6 kids that get into it, then you have a foundation to grow on. Take a bunch of magazines with you so they can see where it can go.
But starting small, you arent putting too much out there so if it does lose intrest after a few days, no harm. Worth a shot.
Best Regards, Big John
Kiva Valley Railway- Freelanced road in central Arizona. Visit the link to see my MR forum thread on The Building of the Whitton Branch on the Kiva Valley Railway
Driline, I did say that as a warning, based on experence, but it then appeared to be easily misunderstood and I deleated it. I did not mean to cause a stir. I could not delete the quote, nor should I have. I have spent a carreer doing unconventional programs for youth and adults. Some really worked and some did not, but they were all hard work and there was a constant need to know who was volenteering to help.
I still secretly cheer for all those who try the hard stuff to help our kids.
ARTHILL wrote: I still secretly cheer for all those who try the hard stuff to help our kids.
No need to be secret, in my book!
Sometimes stuff works, sometimes it doesn't. And the difference can come down to the individual leaders and kids, not the idea itself. But it never works if you don't try!
I thank you all for your comments and suggestions. Particulary the suggestion "to watch out for the flying ping pong balls and cue sticks. This is a real problem in our enviroment! Again thanks for you input.
Bill
Milepost 266.2 wrote: Try and find someplace special to set up a railroad, such as a children's hospital, large festival, etc. Some place where the layout could be seen and appreciated by a large number of people. That way they will learn new skills, such as carpentry, electronics, and patience. And you never know, some of them might find out that it is a rewarding hobby.
This idea has a lot of merit. If you can make the layout portable, rather than a "club" type layout in the church, then it could be used for other positive social uses, like bringing it to hospitals or nursing homes and setting it up for a few days. This gives the layout more of a purpose, and lets the kids see firsthand how their work can bring smiles to others.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Texas Z, I like your idea.
As far as church youth go, you might take them to a RR show before you started or even mentioned the idea. Let them come up with the idea! That would help develop their interest. As for the layout, start small (with modules). Church leadership many times will change the areas where different groups meet. You have to be able to move it.
I spent 9 years as a Minister of Education and 27 as a pastor. I know how things can change quickly. (I also know how things stay the same that should be changed)
You might also consider getting some of the men (dads or others) involved!
Many good thoughts in this thread!
Don't give up on our youth!
Milepost 266.2 wrote:I think the only way this would work would be if they had very specific goals. I doubt a random group of youths would be interested in building a model railroad for themselves, but if they were building it with a purpose, it might be more rewarding. Try and find someplace special to set up a railroad, such as a children's hospital, large festival, etc. Some place where the layout could be seen and appreciated by a large number of people. That way they will learn new skills, such as carpentry, electronics, and patience. And you never know, some of them might find out that it is a rewarding hobby.
That's a real good idea. I've seen shows on model railroads at childrens hospitals that were a BIG hit!
I don't think this would work with a church youth group in general. It did work with the Boy Scouts because in the end, they were rewarded with a merit badge. I had them come to my house on weekends if they wanted to earn the badge and work on a small layout dedicated for the Scouts in a spare unused bedroom when I was a Scoutmaster. If they did what was required of them from the Merit Badge Pamphlet to earn the Railroading Merit Badge, in the end there was a "reward" for them.
Like what was said before. The attention spans of some of the kids especially in an unregulated group as what you are describing, isn't very long, and they will do everything else but focus on the task at hand. Your'e gonna get three groups of kids. You will get 1 or 2 that will really enjoy it and want to continue the modeling. You'll get another bunch that will enjoy it at first and then fall away. And the third group, won't care at all about trains, will influence the second group that it's not as fun as it seems, and there is were the problem will lie. 2 kids working on the layout and the others doing everything else not pertaining to trains at all. Been there, done that.
If you are doing this because you like trains, it won't work. If you have a layout, invite the kids over to see if they show any interest. If you don't have one ,go to a show that features many layouts & see what reaction you get.
Most kids today have no interest in model RRs because they didn't grow up with it. I'm connected with a local Christian camp that has a pretty large HO layout. The kids don't work on it,just there as an exhibit. It's been neglected reciently because of lack of interest.
Another thing is that they are a lot more expensive than you think they will be. My suggestion is for you to try to get interested in something the kids like, even if it isn't your cup of tea. jerry