I would like to continue the discussion of promoting youth sailing.
My thoughts are that we need to make it a fun activity for kids. More like a game than a race.
I would like to shoot for the 8-13 age group.
I'm not concerned with size. Small, Tall doesn't matter.
The idea of a 12ft boat still has a lot of merit.
I feel as though it is not as important to keep the boats all the same world wide or even state wide for this discussion.
Maybe a certain group could build 6 or so boats for their program or area that meets their needs and fits into what they can do.
Mixing in other small cats is also fine. Maybe start with what you can dig up and discuss the boat building project with your group. This is a social activity after all. (Mark..)
No one person needs to be in charge of anything,rather people willing to spend some of their time with the kids is what is most needed in all areas.
So what games can kids play while Sailing?
Can some sort of on water boat switching be done if the boats are not all the same?(sounds fun) so that the kids can experience say anything from a F12 to Wave to a Nacra x.x. etc.. Again, not critical to this discussion.

Looking for simple boat building ideas.
Sailing game ideas
Sailing program ideas.

I have been involved with running a fair number of sailing events from our local fleet races up to Nationals and an Alter cup. This includes Boy Scout sailing days and Youth Nationals.

I have also managed people professionally.
What I have always told them was an idea is just an idea.
Whether it's good or bad will only be decided in time.

My other rule for running events was that if you are having a great time and think everything is going well please let a sponsor or volunteer know that.
If you have a complaint, bring it to me only, and I will address it with you. If you bad mouth a volunteer I will discuss it with you at some point anyway.
For the purposes of this discussion that means not shooting down ideas just becuse they are not in line with what you currently believe.

I think my mother first told me that as we go through school we learn many things and around the age of 20 we think we know everything. Every year after that we relize what we don't know. Around 40 you relize you don't know Sh!t
Then you can start to gain wisdom.

Since I'm just past not knowing Sh!t, lets put together some ideas and maybe we all can learn something or gain a little wisdom.

If you don't want to post for fear of persicusion, send me a PM and I will post for you without your ID.

Fire Away I'm ready