Free Youth Registration and more at '05 Symposium

[Steve Worcester]

2005 Symposium - Free Youth Registration


Overland Park, Kansas (a suburb of Kansas City, Kansas) Free Youth Registration, Bonnie Klein workshops to highlight 2005 Symposium
The AAW Board of Directors has heard the membership loud and clear:

Youths rarely attend AAW education events.

That’s about to change. At the 2005 symposium July 22-24 in Overland Park, Kansas, all attending youths (ages 10 through 17) will receive free registration ($245 value) when accompanied by a registered adult.

The AAW board has recommended that organizers of regional and mini symposiums consider waiving similar fees for youth turners.

As an incentive to register and bring your niece, nephew, grandchild, or the kid down the block, a Saturday “kids-only†drawing will award 20 complete turning outfits. WMH Tool Group has generously donated 20 Jet midi-lathes on stands. Teknatool International has contributed 20 Nova precision midi-chucks. And Crown Tools has signed on to award 20 sets of seven essential turning tools.

Wait, there’s more great news. During the three-day symposium, all of the donated equipment will be used in a hands-on rotation room. Bonnie Klein has agreed to conduct hands-on workshops for the youth. We’re searching for an AAW chapter or volunteers to furnish 10 assistants to help Bonnie teach the workshops. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Kent Townsend at ktownsend4@kc.rr.com

When Bonnie has other symposium duties, AAW attendees will have an opportunity to sign up for hands-on sessions using the equipment. The youth drawing will be at the Saturday banquet, which also will be free to registered youths. The equipment winners will be responsible for shipping.

Think of the tremendous impact on creative young minds when they see the Instant Gallery, watch world-class demonstrators, and visit the trade show. This is your opportunity to change a life and help create a new woodturner.

(If you have read this far, I commend you. Too often we go right to the forum without seeing what is happening in the other parts of the AAW world. - Steve)

 

[Erwin Nistler]

Excelent idea.
I done a little turning when I was about 12. The seed was planted.
Now that I am retired I am enjoying turning. I belong to the AAW and two local chapters.

 

[Rob Wallace]

Why a minimum age??

Steve:

You wrote:

The AAW Board of Directors has heard the membership loud and clear:

Youths rarely attend AAW education events.

That’s about to change. At the 2005 symposium July 22-24 in Overland Park, Kansas, all attending youths (ages 10 through 17) will receive free registration ($245 value) when accompanied by a registered adult.

The AAW board has recommended that organizers of regional and mini symposiums consider waiving similar fees for youth turners.


Why is there a minimum age?? My 7 year old son is very competent turning on my Jet mini, to the point that he was doing turning demonstrations making spindles along side me at a recent Woodworking Exhibit we did at our local mall. Would he be ineligible for this free registration because he is "too young"? I can see that at 18 you're no longer a "youth", but at age 7 you still are. I'm sure he would LOVE this opportunity, and could really benefit from it. Has anyone explained why the AAW didn't say "17 or younger...."??

Curious,

Rob Wallace

 

[Jeff Jilg]

I have forwarded the query to 2 members on the board of directors.

 

[Phil Brennion]

Rob,
The age criteria for the free youth registration was set, based upon what we felt was the range, in which most youth would have a reasonable ability to hold attention and focus during demonstrations. We felt that 10 was a reasonable age set at the lower end. I know there are exceptional children below the age of 10, but we felt it neccesary to set at least a" trial minimum age standard of 10 for this year". We will indeed look at this judgement call after the symposium- and rethink it if neccessary- possibly up or down. I suspect, based very much on input from the youth, other attendees, demonstrators, and parents. I know this isn't much solice in the case of your son, but we need to have a starting point on this first youth venture.

Phil Brennion
AAW President

 

[Rob Wallace]

Thanks for the reply Phil!!

I am certainly planning on attending the AAW Symposium in KC next July, and had hoped that my 'apprentice' could come along and be part of the activities, at least for a while, and see someone else besides his dad doing serious turning on serious machines. Since the symposium will be so close to us (I'm in central Iowa), the next AAW Symposium is a must see, and will be "travel cost" affordable, even with my family.

What are the rules for 'tag-along' but not registered people at the sessions? Can he attend some sessions without being registered if he's "too young"?

I appreciate the AAW's willingness to promote youth turners - it seems I may have gotten David started ahead of the projected curve....he's already asking when he can do his first bowl by himself...

Have a great Holiday!

Rob Wallace

 

[Phil Brennion]

Rob,
It's difficult to see all the if, ands or buts that come along with rules, exceptions or future changes.
"Tag alongs", whether in symposiums or movie theaters, likely still occupy a seat. Just a thought!-You might consider writing for a grant to fullfill the cost of a registration- With appropriate back up material, such as letters of recomendations from his teachers etc.......providing this is within the EOG guidlines.