Youth Members in your (US) Club

Another UK perspective.

Our club offers a discounted junior membership to encourage youngsters.
The lower limit is about 14/15 - mainly on the basis that if they get to
solo standard before they can go solo (16) the frustration may set in
and they leave.

They are treated just the same as any adult ab-initio and expected to
learn how to do all the routine tasks involved in launching a glider
(maintaining the log book, fitting cables, helping retrieve etc.etc).


Chris Gadsby


Ulrich Neumann wrote:

Hi all,

I need your input on an issue that has led to an ongoing, heated
debate ever since my son joined our soaring club at age 14. He begun
taking lessons and soloed during a youth soaring camp organized by
another club this summer. A small but vocal group of members are
stricktly against youth- and family memberships. Kids under 18 are
considered a liability, a hazard to themself during the operation and
just not desirable members in their minds. All kinds of half-baked
legalities are being cited i.e. that the club could get dragged down
finacially if a minor would get hurt and a suit be filed by the
parents, etc. I can't shake the impression that these guys would like
to have a 'good 'ol boy county club with planes'! (Heck, the golf
carts are already there!)

Therefore my questions: Does your club have a youth/family membership
category with reduced dues and/or waived initiation fees? Does your
club have a youth program? Have there ever been any legal/insurance
issues with minor members in your club? Any input is appreciated. (you
may reply privately, if you don't want to discuss this on the net)

Ulrich Neumann