I have read all this and the thing that's missing is effort. Kids
nowadays don't have to do much to be entertained. When I was growing
up, everything required effort. I had to cut grass and throw papers to
make enough money to feed my model habit. Five lawns would buy a
Nordic A-2 kit, and then I had to build it. I ran wings for weeks at a
time before someone would offer me a glider ride. Kids now have models
already built for them, cheap video games and all sorts of other
entertainment to keep them occupied... and parents that would rather
throw money at them than spend time with them. However, remembering
the young people at Houston that were flying, and the parents that
were the exception to the last statement... When they did bring other
young folk to the airport, their friends were astonished that they
were actually flying. It didn't seem to matter that they were flying a
2-33, they were flying. It isn't just gliding that's declining, but
all general aviation is falling off, too.

I fly both, real and R/C sailplanes. I'm almost 56, and I seldom see
anyone younger than 40 at either place... the gliderport, or the R/C
field. I know they're out there, but their numbers are small, indeed.

Jack Womack