Youth Club

[susansanders]

From Mrs S, thanks for all support.
My idea of the youth club is a large building that would hold about 60-70 people at a time, with pool tables, table tennis, games stations, sofas, dj decks which the kids operate themselves. I also plan to hve minimal adult supervision to give the kids more trust. I'd like kids to be involved so they can decorate the interior themselves. Also some dances every now and then with the kids or Jamie G doing the music themselves.
In terms of funding I have already contacted some agencies who seem quite keen. I need at least 5 people to help start the comitee and alos some children. If you are intrested please contact me with details on how to reach you on 01583 421 352.

[Ags]

What age group do you plan to include/involve?? Well done and Good Luck

[susansanders]

the whole of the grammar school age group from S1-S6

[Lossit Lass]

Altho there may be a good number of kids that won't make use of the youth club, I can't imagine it's not worth a try?! I would say it's best to not even consider that possibility, for the sake of those kids who WOULD use it & benefit from it.
I know I don't live there now but would like to add some thoughts to the discussion
~ May want to keep initial ideas & plans for the club small, inexpensive & as uncomplicated as possible (to avoid some of the inevitable red tape at first) while still making it attractive to kids/teens so they'll come. Build it up as you go rather then throw a ton of (the) money into it just to find that some of the things the adults thought the kids would like just don't interest them.
~ Immediately begin recruiting kids to help! 'Officially' Include them whenever & wherever you can - initial set-up, design & decor, cleaning & simple maintenance, calendar planning, designing themes for events as well as coming up with ideas for fund-raising, charity work, green action projects, etc, etc. Maybe provide incentives for volunteers, like a month's free membership (if there will be a fee?) or smething like that. Make a point to assure all the area kids that this club is for them, by them...it's THEIR place...& that the adults involved will be open to all their ideas for it & will help with the technicalities of putting their ideas in place. Their complete involvement will give them pride in the center & they'll be more inclined to protect it, use it & encourage others to use it - those that may not otherwise want to.
~ There should definitely be consideration in installing a LAN for internet access (even create an 'Internet/Cafe Corner' or the like). That would be a must with today's kids, an almost necessary lure for getting them out of their bedrooms to do some real-life socializing occasionally. IMO, this will be crucial in getting kids there!!
~ Altho the center will be geared toward grammar school-age kids (if I'm right, that's about ages 12-17??), that's a pretty big range when you're that age. There's a big difference between a 12yo & a 17yo. Might possibly consider 'splitting' the center, creating a separate space(s) for, say, 12-14yo & 15-17yo?? Not only will this protect the younger ones from more 'mature' talk & behavior but it'll also give the older kids a place of their own, where they won't be overrun by the younger ones...otherwise the older teens may not come.
~ & lastly, Nelson1995 could be a great resource in this project by getting the word out to friends & to the schools in general with regard to what is being discussed here...getting them involved in the discussion in person & in this forum. I love that he is pursuing that & think it may prove to be vital in making the youth club *idea* into a *reality*!

I think if this project is looked at as always evolving, with the inclusion, input & help of the local kids AND parents, it could really be an asset to the area, & I genuinely hope it happens!!!

[Ross]

Sounds like a good idea. I remember going to the youth club run in the church hall years ago, it was exactly like what your talkin about..pool, table tennis, games and somewhere to get crisps and juice. Dont think there was a membership you just paid so much for the nights that you came along. Good luck with future ventures.