ORIGINAL: STLPilot
Trying to entice youngsters into model aviation, while a noble gesture; is one that has produced dismal results. While an airplane was a source of wonder and awe for kids fifty or sixty years ago, today's kids view it about the same way they do a train or a bus. It's just another form of transportation to them, plus there are so many other venues vying for their interest, time, and money. We like to think of model aviation, and the Academy, as being in existence for many generations to come, while the opposite is also possible. I don't think that anyone can accurately predict what model aviation's place in the future will be, nor that of the AMA.
Well like I've shown before, there are people doing something about it to help this situation which you stated above.
I started a company that introduces thousands of children to aeromodeling each year and we've literally exploded over the last 6 months. We fill every class, in every school we enter and have a long waiting list for students and schools. What started out with 1 instructor and 1 kid 3 years ago is now 20 employees, 3 cities and thousands of children interested in aeromodeling. http://www.thehobbyquest.com
In essence your statement above is not accurate, it is again only a perception based on the fact that parents and adults no longer want to take the time to introduce their children to the hobbies, not the fact that the kids don't want to learn about it, because they most certainly do and then some. When I first entered this hobby some 3 years ago, I didn't see too many kids at the field and I knew something was wrong right from the get go. But what I did see a bunch of grumpy old men frown every time they saw a 10 year old kid learn how to fly better then they do in only 3 trips to the field. That was always fun to watch.
This is one of the reasons I can't stand seeing all this negativity. Instead of bashing and whining about the AMA go out and do something about it, you may just be part of something big. How hard could it be to be a VP or assistant VP? Start a lobby group, but be smart about it. Get petitions going if you don't like a certain policy. All you guys are doing by making the comments that you're making, to the club that YOU BELONG TOO, is hurting it. SHUT UP AND HELP IT! If the thread starter had any respect for the AMA he would at least change the title of the thread, not to damage it any more. A lot of people come to RCU for the first time and read crap like that, doesn't help.