meetings!

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by eeyore

I agree with you up to a point graham, and in my work life I am more than happy to help mentor the guardians of the future , however wab meets are a free time activity and at such I am neither a teacher or a social worker (or a ranger for that matter) and while your grandchildren may well be delightful companions not every child is , and many otherwise well behaved children might get fractious and bored if asked to wait quietly in hides for long periods of time.

That said if Wab wanted to run an occasional childrens outing I would be happy to help out, but I would not welcome the presence of children on every trip , it is not just the noise aspect but also that if children are along we will be limited as to where we can go, what accomodation we can use, what we can do , how we can behave , what language is used, what time we can go to bed, etc etc.

Another consideration is that some parents may be cautious about bringing their kids to meet a large bunch of people who they dont know outside of cyberspace , and also that the presence of children puts more responsibility on the trip organiser to ensure everything is safe and well. For instance imagine the potential for fuss if a child had had the accident that happened to john a couple of weeks back

IMHO risk assessments and CRB checks are cans of worms that we would be wise to leave unopened

I don't disagree with anything you say Pete..I was simply making the point that all children aren't the disruptive noisy beings this thread was stating.
I absolutely agree that many meets would be totally unsuitable, in fact a definite nightmare if kids came along!
I was just raising the "support the kids" flag.
It's also surely possible to have some kind of family type meet, where parents take full responsibility for their children. Accidents are a fact of life, I certainly don't believe in leaving children behind because something might happen.
I know if I contact like minded adults and we wish to go somewhere with our kids, I don't have to ask some officious dogsbody for permission. As long as everyone understands that, I can't see any problem.
Having said all that, I agree with John, I can't think of how we would arrange it!

[Boddie]

Originally Posted by glsammy

I don't disagree with anything you say Pete..I was simply making the point that all children aren't the disruptive noisy beings this thread was stating.
I absolutely agree that many meets would be totally unsuitable, in fact a definite nightmare if kids came along!
I was just raising the "support the kids" flag.
It's also surely possible to have some kind of family type meet, where parents take full responsibility for their children. Accidents are a fact of life, I certainly don't believe in leaving children behind because something might happen.
I know if I contact like minded adults and we wish to go somewhere with our kids, I don't have to ask some officious dogsbody for permission. As long as everyone understands that, I can't see any problem.
Having said all that, I agree with John, I can't think of how we would arrange it!

Thats easy. Let the parents arrange it.

I think its a great idea but not one I am likely to get involved with.

I agree not all kids are noisy but did you ever notice all kids are noisier than yours?

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by Boddie

Thats easy. Let the parents arrange it.

I think its a great idea but not one I am likely to get involved with.

I agree not all kids are noisy but did you ever notice all kids are noisier than yours?

Of course they are!!

But not as noisy as a load of middle aged men in a hide at Carsington recently.

[John]

Originally Posted by glsammy

But not as noisy as a load of middle aged men in a hide at Carsington recently.

Nice one Graham

John

[Boddie]

From what I remember there were no middle aged men in that hide. All I remember is young lads and pensioners.

[mrcheeky]

Originally Posted by John

Nice one Graham

John

Like wise.................................... any meets of any description with kids I am staying well clear off.................................. :

Bringing kids is unfair on the leaders and the people present.

Cheers


Peter

[mrcheeky]

What I meant to say consideration should be given to people with children but I am not prepared to be involved in anyway........................

Any children attending meets and I won;t attend under any circumstances.

The reason I won't attend is for my own protection. After doing a child protection coarse for a voluntary project I am getting involved with. I would not take any risks, the advice given was superb................

Cheers all sorry to be a spollt sport but one needs to protect ones self.

Mr Cheeky


Peter

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by Boddie

From what I remember there were no middle aged men in that hide. All I remember is young lads and pensioners.

Nice of you to call me a young lad, I'm nowhere near a pensioner.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by mrcheeky

What I meant to say consideration should be given to people with children but I am not prepared to be involved in anyway........................

Any children attending meets and I won;t attend under any circumstances.

The reason I won't attend is for my own protection. After doing a child protection coarse for a voluntary project I am getting involved with. I would not take any risks, the advice given was superb................

Cheers all sorry to be a spollt sport but one needs to protect ones self.

Mr Cheeky

now i'm really confused - it was you who suggested the idea but you dont want to be at any meets where there are children.... "for your own protection" yet at formby you were strolling up to the children of total strangers and engaging them in conversation - hardly conducive to protecting one self I would have thought.

[Rainbowmum]

Originally Posted by Boddie

I am sure we could consider people who have children but you would always see a breakaway from those that don't. This weekend was a fine example. The squirrels did not want to know everytime the kids shreiked with delight in seeing them.

I guess it depends on what sort of meeting you are looking for but I fear most would just go off and do their thing.

I take it your definately not a kid person then Boddie?

[Rainbowmum]

Originally Posted by glsammy

I must step in here and defend the children! Not ALL children run around making noise and disturbing wildlife. My grandchildren are perfectly well behaved and I delight in taking either of them out with me. They know perfectly well how to behave.
We're supposed to be a family oriented web site, so to reject the future carers of our countryside from meets, what kind of help or guidance is that?
Personally I'd be delighted if there was a meet where kids are allowed. I'm not saying you've got to have them at every meet, but they're not all monsters!

Hurrah, well said Graham

[Boddie]

Originally Posted by glsammy

Nice of you to call me a young lad, I'm nowhere near a pensioner.

Touche

[mrcheeky]

Originally Posted by eeyore

now i'm really confused - it was you who suggested the idea but you dont want to be at any meets where there are children.... "for your own protection" yet at formby you were strolling up to the children of total strangers and engaging them in conversation - hardly conducive to protecting one self I would have thought.

At Formby Pete the parents where standing next to them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I take your point.................. I was engaging in conversation with them I agree but I did not meet them of a forum and I was careful to make sure their parents where there at ALL times,

Quite simply any meet with children I won't be attending....................

To all I made a mistake in saying it would be good to have a meet with children my sincere apologises for the confusion caused.

I also feel Wildlife field trips are not for children. But I encourage parents to arrange their own meets.

Cheers once again sorry for the confusion caused by me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peter

Ps There are a number of events in the North West aimed with children in mind.

[mrcheeky]

Originally Posted by Rainbowmum

Hurrah, well said Graham

I agree with your sentiments................ but I prefer to be on meets without children......

If you live in the North West there are quite a few events organised for children.

In the new year when I get the full list I will let you have the details if you wish.

Happy christmas

Peter

[Wild-Woman]

I can see everybody's point of view here.
As you know,in my job as TA in school and now Field Teacher, I have close contact with children and have done for the last 10 years. What I think we must try to do is enthuse the children to the point that they don't misbehave. If you are passionate enough about your subject and have a small amount of patience, the rewards are ten-fold. I've seen people who have never really had contact with kids, become natural teachers. Children know when someone teaching them, really knows their stuff and they get so hooked in, bad behaviour doesn't come into the equasion.
If parents are with them, know the possible risks-eg trips/water/travelling etc then they are responsible for them, not the organiser.
On the other hand, there are times when adults just need peace, quiet and time to persue their hobby without worrying that their children need the loo, feeding, are getting tired or there's school the next day.
So I think a balance of meetings is necessary in order that we encourage tomorrow's conservationists, wildlife experts, photographers etc.
Julie

[John]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

I can see everybody's point of view here.
As you know,in my job as TA in school and now Field Teacher, I have close contact with children and have done for the last 10 years. What I think we must try to do is enthuse the children to the point that they don't misbehave. If you are passionate enough about your subject and have a small amount of patience, the rewards are ten-fold. I've seen people who have never really had contact with kids, become natural teachers. Children know when someone teaching them, really knows their stuff and they get so hooked in, bad behaviour doesn't come into the equasion.
If parents are with them, know the possible risks-eg trips/water/travelling etc then they are responsible for them, not the organiser.
On the other hand, there are times when adults just need peace, quiet and time to persue their hobby without worrying that their children need the loo, feeding, are getting tired or there's school the next day.
So I think a balance of meetings is necessary in order that we encourage tomorrow's conservationists, wildlife experts, photographers etc.
Julie

Cracking post Julie. Well thought out and well presented. I can't disagree with any point raised.

Now the only problem is to have a family day organised for a family WAB meet. I think that someone with family responsibilities should organise it though. Single people like me would probably stayed clear of such a meet, (and don't take this the wrong because it is not meant to).

I just know I have that bit of selfishness in me to know that if I travel somewhere it is for a purpose and that is both birdwatching and photography, neither of which I would be able to do within a family meet.

I really think that if such a meet could be organised it would be a good thing so I hope such an event does take place.

John

[mrcheeky]

Originally Posted by John

Cracking post Julie. Well thought out and well presented. I can't disagree with any point raised.

Now the only problem is to have a family day organised for a family WAB meet. I think that someone with family responsibilities should organise it though. Single people like me would probably stayed clear of such a meet, (and don't take this the wrong because it is not meant to).

I just know I have that bit of selfishness in me to know that if I travel somewhere it is for a purpose and that is both birdwatching and photography, neither of which I would be able to do within a family meet.

I really think that if such a meet could be organised it would be a good thing so I hope such an event does take place.

John

Please note I don,t disagree with a meet for children taking place its just I don,t want to be part of it.............I will admit that in the new year I am volenteering for childrens nature projects as a helper in Southport.................... and anyone who wants information when I have it I will give it to them..............

There are lots of events at Martin Mere for children.......

Cheers all happy Christmas.

Peter

[mrcheeky]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

I can see everybody's point of view here.
As you know,in my job as TA in school and now Field Teacher, I have close contact with children and have done for the last 10 years. What I think we must try to do is enthuse the children to the point that they don't misbehave. If you are passionate enough about your subject and have a small amount of patience, the rewards are ten-fold. I've seen people who have never really had contact with kids, become natural teachers. Children know when someone teaching them, really knows their stuff and they get so hooked in, bad behaviour doesn't come into the equasion.
If parents are with them, know the possible risks-eg trips/water/travelling etc then they are responsible for them, not the organiser.
On the other hand, there are times when adults just need peace, quiet and time to persue their hobby without worrying that their children need the loo, feeding, are getting tired or there's school the next day.
So I think a balance of meetings is necessary in order that we encourage tomorrow's conservationists, wildlife experts, photographers etc.
Julie

Julie well said............ there are lots of nature events with children in mind being organised throughout country by various organisations for the exact reasons you have said.


Cheers

Peter

Happy Christmas

[littleT]

O.K. I'm slightly scared now!!

I'm thinking I'm in need of renewing my recently expired CRB, and brushing up on the first aid or at least making sure that a first aider is at hand during a family meet.
I should be able to get some advice from my daughters brownie leader, and the playgroup leader of my other daughter, I'll ask at the school - who organised a trip to Delamere at christmas a few years ago - so they might have some snippets of advice for me.
Any suggestions on other bits and pieces I may need to take into consideration while arranging a meet with the kids in mind!!! i.e. Parent permission forms for photography around their kids etc.

Views would be greatly appreciated even if you don't intend on joining us.
What provisions (maybe not the right word) would you like to have in place?

Cheers T