11-14-2011, 09:25 AM
Since we often hear about how there are not enough kids and young people interested in trains, I've been trying fairly hard to bring kids to train shows and on heritage train rides.
It's easy for me, because I have two sons, My youngest son (age 8) is especially interested in trains, so we will often bring his friends with us to train events. During the past 3 years I've probably brought 5 or 6 (possibly even more) of my sons' friends to various railway events. ... it's our common practice now. We visit several model train shows and heritage railways throughout the year, and more often than not, I will have one or both of my sons, along with one of their friends.
The downside of this is that I often cannot focus on looking at various details or talk properly to other train enthusiasts because I'm too busy dealing with the kids. So, if there is a train show where is want to get "really serious" and study various details and have deep conversations, I will either go by myself or just bring one son along.
This is just a long-winded way of encouraging all members to try to bring kids to train events, especially those who are fathers of young children. Even if you're a grandparent, why not try bringing 1-2 kids along to a show if you haven't before? It can be a lot of fun and can help create a new generation of train enthusiasts. I would strongly encourage ALL of us to do this -- maybe even make it a challenge!
Sure, my sons like electronic gadgets, but that's not the only things they're into.
Thoughts?
It's easy for me, because I have two sons, My youngest son (age 8) is especially interested in trains, so we will often bring his friends with us to train events. During the past 3 years I've probably brought 5 or 6 (possibly even more) of my sons' friends to various railway events. ... it's our common practice now. We visit several model train shows and heritage railways throughout the year, and more often than not, I will have one or both of my sons, along with one of their friends.
The downside of this is that I often cannot focus on looking at various details or talk properly to other train enthusiasts because I'm too busy dealing with the kids. So, if there is a train show where is want to get "really serious" and study various details and have deep conversations, I will either go by myself or just bring one son along.
This is just a long-winded way of encouraging all members to try to bring kids to train events, especially those who are fathers of young children. Even if you're a grandparent, why not try bringing 1-2 kids along to a show if you haven't before? It can be a lot of fun and can help create a new generation of train enthusiasts. I would strongly encourage ALL of us to do this -- maybe even make it a challenge!
Sure, my sons like electronic gadgets, but that's not the only things they're into.
Thoughts?
Rob
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