The highly successful UK Junior XC program vs. USA's nonexistantJunior XC program. Why?

Some insight from a British leader. The USA has a long, long way to go...

"Hi Sean
Saw your posts on the above subject and thought I would try to flesh it out a bit.
I was lucky enough to be involved with the UK Junior Nats this year, as I was ******************** in the Regionals that was held alongside the Juniors. We had the same tasks but had a different start line to keep us apart and we started later.....the idea being we might give some clues as we overtook the stragglers from the Juniors as we went through...The juniors gliders ranged from a K6cr to ASG29 with just about everything in between, so no easy job for the task setter.
There were also an entrant from the German Junior training program who came along to take notes as well as fly.

The UK Junior training thing is sooooo much more than just gliding and has taken more than +10 years to get where it is now. Both the Task Setter and Contest Director were Juniors from the first couple of years of the program. There is also a sizeable group of recently ex-Juniors who always tag along. At least 2 of the 6 two seaters that were being used for training were being flown by recent ex juniors. All of these 2 seaters were loaned free of charge from both clubs and individuals. Each 2 seater had 2 pupils for the week taking turns day about. Post task the 2 seaters were put to work for the less experienced covering more basic skills. For the 12 places available for the 2 seaters they had more than 50 applicants.

Having not been a junior for several decades...(OK I'll fes up I'm **) I went along to their first debriefing session and, after it made a point to go to all the others that followed...despite being ex instructor and ex Chief Flying Instructor I gained a huge insight as these debriefings were very well conducted, the Master of Ceremonies at these debriefs is worth his weight in Gold.

The original program started with what were termed (locally) Flying Circus's going round the clubs that requested them. It started with one but quickly went to two.
Each Circus had one good 2 seater, plus suitable coach/senior comp pilot/instructor. They also had another similar qualified pilot with their own glider. Often a local was also inveigled...often the local Chief Flying Instructor with their own glider. These two carried out lead and follow X/C with up to 5 students flying whatever they had anything from K-8 to Discus. Each student also got a day in the 2 seater during the week. Most training weeks also seemed to get hold of a nice glider for the students to convert into at the end of the week to give them the taste of the 'high life' as many of the small clubs at that time did not run to anything better than an Astir at best!
The circle has come round again as the BGA has started this idea up again under the "Aim Higher" initiative which is aimed at the older pilots who for whatever reason are stuck in a rut. So there is nothing new.....

Oh one bit of advice if you get involved with juniors.......never ever go to the bar with them after flying...their livers and kidneys cope far better than yours !

Best Regards,"