WANTED--THE NEXT GENERATION OF SHELBY ENTHUSIASTS!!!!!!!!!!

[5S545]

WANTED--- THE NEXT GENERATION OF SHELBY ENTHUSIASTS!!!!!!!              
ANNOUNCING THE SAAC YOUTH PROGRAM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's time to get serious about bringing the next generation of caretakers into the club!!
We are putting together a SAAC Junior Program that we want to have in place by SAAC 37.  
We've come up with some basic guidelines for the program but all ideas and suggestions are welcome and encouraged!!
 
We especially want to hear about:
 
The ages, sex, and number of kids and grandkids you know that might be interested
 
Age Group divisions.  Right now we are thinking  6-10  11-14  14 + up
Names for the age groups
 
Suggestions for Convention and Ongoing Activities.
 

Some things we are planning for the future:
T-Shirt Design Contest for each age group
SAAC Jr. Sub-Forum
SAAC Jr. Newsletter that we will need editors and contributors for.
Please post your ideas and suggestions in this thread, and try to keep on topic    

Thanks for your help!!!
The SAAC Jr. Committee

[ITHERTZ]

I have three daughters presently age 10, 8 and 5.  I try and keep them interested as best I can with frequent rides/trips to get ice cream in the classic Mustangs as much as possible.  Yes, romp on the gas, Yes, bark the tires, Yes, hear them scream in delight and ask you to do it again.  Just remind them not to tell their mother.  If you have one of these cars, find the neighborhood kids and invite them (with permission from their parents) over to help you work on the car, clean the car, go for rides, take them to a show, whatever you can.  Yes, this includes young adults, too!  

As far as car shows are concerned - Kids get bored quickly!!!!  Make sure there are things to do - Hand out fliers, have them sell stuff/crafts, soda/water in a wagon for charity, Pinewood derby contests, Model Car Contests, Poster Contests, Bouncy Jumpers, Wagon racing, Jr Autocross racing in the parking lot with electric powered cars/scooters, etc....  At car shows, encourage that the cars are NOT static displays all day.  Start them up, have pipe rattling contests, burnout contests, slow drags, mobile Dyno testing, video games/race car simulations, Guitar Hero contests, you get the drift.  Youngsters need to be engaged at a show, or they will not want to come.  You want them to ask/beg to return that cool car show they did with all the fun!

[vernonestes]

I think the SAAC-Junior Program is set to be a huge success  (root beer, of course  )

Best regards,
Vern

[ITHERTZ]

How about a lifetime membership offer for youth gifting?

[557]

How about a contest at the convention of kids making illustrations(by age group) of their parents /siblings cars??

[A-Snake]

You can get some ideas from the Hagerty's 'Operation Ignite' for youth judging. Hagerty had this program at a local Concours. About 6 vehicles were selected for the kids to judge. Each of the car owners presented the history and information to the kids. The kids then awarded trophies to the winners.

http://www.hagerty.com/Collector-car-insurance/Hagerty-Plus-Roadside-assistance/HVA/Hobby-advocacy

http://operationignite.hagerty.com/

[5S545]

You can get some ideas from the Hagerty's 'Operation Ignite' for youth judging. Hagerty had this program at a local Concours. About 6 vehicles were selected for the kids to judge. Each of the car owners presented the history and information to the kids. The kids then awarded trophies to the winners.

http://www.hagerty.com/Collector-car-insurance/Hagerty-Plus-Roadside-assistance/HVA/Hobby-advocacy

http://operationignite.hagerty.com/

Cool idea, thanks for the links!!


Thanks for all the good ideas everyone, keep 'em coming!!! 

[A-Snake]

Here's an example of the judging. Hagerty provided the hats and shirts for the kids.

[vernonestes]

Here's an example of the judging. Hagerty provided the hats and shirts for the kids.

What Jim isnt telling you all is that bribery ensued with Jim revving the car up a few times for the youngsters...its all about the bribery, and owe what sweet bribery it was 

Best regards,
Vern

[cbrown]

I have been bringing my son to the tulsa shelby meet for years. He has learned alot. I think let them help the judges so they learn more. Need to pass on the knowledge. Some of you guys are getting old!!!

chris

[roddster]

Well, both my daughters are in their thirties, and have known for some time Dads GT 350 is something special.  And both, along with my wife, were at SAAC 11 in Dearborn.  And one daughter has two kids, so, the four year old grandson already has a sizable hotwheel collection.  And, I have heard his mother tell him that the Shelby Mustangs are the fastest.
   I also have a shadow at most shows.  My 20 year old nephew knows all about Shelbys, and I can't imagine he won't buy a used late one when he graduates Purdue.

So far, all good ideas.

[5S545]

Hi Deb. Great topic and idea. We need to get them in the cars at the convention as much as possible. This is everything from riding on the track with a special kid's session, passengers during sessions (insurance is an issue here), sign up sheets for rides from the hotel to the track, and anything else we can to get them in the cars. Driving sessions (cruises) outside the track complex could be organized as well.

The evening sessions are boring for the younger crowd. But a car sitting on a dynojet where they can learn to drive a standard shift would be great, especially if it was an old Shelby. We could taylor an entire evening session for the older crowd, including learning about parts and how an engine works.

Its been hard to get my daughter Shelby to go because there were not other young people there. So trying to introduce the kids to who they will meet prior to the event would be good. It would give them a whole group to be on the forum with and email. That's what kids like. She sees me on this forum all the time and asks what we talk about...Gotta go catch a flight. I have lots of ideas and hope I can help. My kids are 7, 11, and 13, the target ages for this type stuff.

Great ideas, just what we are looking for!!!  Please share some more when you have a chance!!  

Deb

[5S545]

Shameless Bump 

We want to make sure everyone sees this   


Please reply with your kids or grandkids ages and sex, we are trying to gauge our audience and interest.

We especially want to hear the kids (and your) ideas about activities.  We want to make sure that what we offer will actually interest them 


Thanks for your help!!!

The SAAC Jr. Committee

[brianz426]

I think the kids judging is a great idea. My kids are 7,9,& 11. They love riding in my old cars and going fast. I agree it is hard sometimes for me to keep them from getting bored at car shows.

There is a bigger problem that I've actually witnessed first hand with friends who have kids at at driving age. Much to my surprise many of these kids are not even interested in driving.
See below;
Article: ‘Generation N’ is Steering Clear of Auto Showrooms

Millennials, and other young people have become so neutral about driving, they are a factor behind auto sales not growing at a faster pace.

Full Story:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/47962606

[Bigfoot]

I don't see Vern wearing his blue shirt and red Hat?
What gives?

I bring at least one kid to every show.
They usually become pit crew members or end up helping people wash their cars.
Even Rick employed one of them at 37 to dig out something when we were at the tent.