At-Risk Kids Plus Kites = Fun Opportunity!!

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

OK, I'm going to try this again! In my job as a Sped. Teacher I work with highly at-risk youth here in HR, and Wasco Cnty.

I would like to create a program that introduces these kids to the sport of Kiteboarding. Small groups of kids make come to spit and we talk about kiting and how to get into it etc.. Group of coaches take them out to fly kite then we sit down and eat lunch! 1/2 day activity small groups and everyone leaves with something to remember the day by!

If you would like to volunteer your time, some shwag, or advice please post here.

These are middle school kids 11 to 14 years of age. They have difficult lives and need to have opportunites afforded them by folks like you!

I'm thinking that Sept. is a good idea for time. I'm going to ask CGKA to sanction the event. I have already gotten verbal committment from some IKO/PASA coaches.

This will be a really cool event!!

Please contact me at
repooc99@yahoo.com
or pm me for more information,
Thanks,
Ron

laura · Since 22 May 2007 111 Posts Stoked

Trainer kites at the eventsite??? Not the best venue for that, no room and not really safe. Great idea helping the kids though...

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

Not trying to be a dick or anything, but every time I see programs like that; that want to take at-risk(poor) kids and expose them to very expensive recreational activities, I have to wonder if it isn't just teasing them, rubbing their noses in it and saying "you can never have this!"

I expressed similar concern over the snow days program out of Portland, but at least with snowboarding you can rent some gear and tumble around on the hill a couple of times a year, but as we all know the same ethos does not apply to kiting.

That, and I don't want sketchy-ass kids anywhere near my gear, not if they know how much it's worth...

pacspeed · Since 13 Jul 2008 16 Posts Â

Tried to make a positive impact with an "at-risk" teenager two years ago. 16 yrs old, she was adopted by her uncle as a kid when her mom bailed out on her. We gave her a job (baby sitting, and training her in accounting, my wifes biz). We paid her well, lent her money, lent her cars to get to interviews, shit, I was gonna BUY her a car, but.....

We went out of town for 10 days, and she snuck into our house, sent the housesitter away with some clever story, invited all her shitheel buddies over, trashed the place, emptied the liquor cabinet, drove our cars all over town, shopped on my ebay account, stole clothes from my wife, "forgot" to give the dogs any water for 4 days (i.e too wasted and stupid to care or remember), and basically pissed all over the trust and opportunity we extended her.

So, we gave her over to the tender ministrations of the Hood River Sheriff. Felony theft charges. Motor Vehicle charges. MIP charges. She spent several weeks in the clink. Saw her a few weeks ago, still with the same doped-up delinquent boyfriend, and now she's about 8 months pregnant. I'm sure HE'LL stick around when the going gets tough. Nice work, LOSER!

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

Bettyboarder · Mon Jul 21, 08 12:35 pm

Very interesting responses to this post. We all know that bulae99 posts some stupid stuff alot but he is trying to help out kids this time. Lets try to keep this post positive if you don’t want to help that's fine just skip this post.

Not all "at risk" kids are problems and I am a bit sad to read the responses from all you guys. Pacspeed what that girl did to you is lame but I have met plenty of at risk kids that have turned out to be great adults. There can be positive outcomes for some of these kids but not if everyone gives up on them.

I know I personally would like to see these kids out there being active and doing sports rather then out on the street getting in to trouble. I spent alot of time working with at risk kids this last year and most of them have just been born in to bad situation which they had no choice. They have no positive role models to guide them.

I am sorry for the novel and people can do what they want but I will help you if you set this up on a weekend when there are no events going on.

There are alot of events going on for the next couple weeks so I think it might be hard to get people to help out since alot of us are already helping for other events. Plus it's prime kite season. I would suggest either just bringing the kids to some of the events let them watch or just schedule this later in the season when people aren't so busy. Like Sept maybe...also I would say take them to the park by the Marina to fly trainer kites it's safe and plenty of room to fly kites.

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

my wife worked with "hoods in the woods" for years. her old company did everything from winter camping to whitewater rafting to rock climbing. they steered clear of kiting and windsurfing, basically for the reasons kidcorporate mentioned.

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

bulaeee take some time for yourself....

clue in.......

LP · Since 05 Apr 2007 115 Posts HR Stoked

forrest · Tue Jul 22, 08 7:53 pm

Damn, what is wrong with you guys. Troubled youth programs are about showing the kids the kind of things they can enjoy if they work hard.

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

I think some of us have just had really bad experiences with these types of people and programs, Forrest. I've had my hand bitten before when I try to feed dogs like these...

Diggy · Since 25 Nov 2006 342 Posts Gorge to Coast Obsessed

Ad hominem

Argument from adverse consequences

Observational selection

Slippery slope

Straw man

Dudes talking about trying show some kids alternatives to what they are exposed to in their every day lives. If they want it they can earn it just like most of us have, but first it has to become a possibility in their mind.

A trainer kite, a skateboard, and a parking lot can be kick ass and not cost much more than a day snowboarding or rafting, and they get own the gear for use whenever it set up.

Lighten up; Plenty of Wind so keep it positive!

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

dunno what the initial postr was about, but if somone wants to take initiatives like this, I'd support it.

hell I'd even donate a kite (old but works)...

having grown up with several kids that had no chance in life, living through severe physical and mental abuse, I think many of them could have been saved if someone with a little resouces would do something for them. Might be naive, but how much do you think you save society if one kid that would have ended up in bad company sees a different life and gets a job etc.?

Point is that nope, not everyone will be turned, but the ones that is, makes up for it...actually I think this is something that the individual states should be doing...

a.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

I agree with BB (of course), even if the messenger is a bulae, sometimes the message is worth considering.

The real issue is kiting is expensive, and not just in terms of gear... learning to kite, and traveling to kite (gas) are both expensive as well. Its also very time consuming, which has opportunity costs. Kites and gear doesn't last forever, so at some point it all needs to be replaced.

To do it without your own cash you either need a job or to be sponsored really, either by the industry or your parents.

You also are handing potentially very dangerous devices to kids, you want to make sure they know what they are doing. It takes a very long period of time to really get someone into this sport to the point where they can be fully self-sufficient and safe. I see parents teaching their kids and it takes months/years, not days. That's a lot of commitment.

Stuff to consider... its too bad when I see skateboarding I think, man that's just awesome how simple and cheap it is to get into. Maybe its also why you see so many kids doing impossible stuff on skateboards.

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

A little kiteskating might not be so bad, that's fun by itself for sure.

holly · Since 09 Jul 2006 440 Posts Hood River Obsessed

I think its a cool idea.. if you need help let me know, i would love to help out! Too those of you that are so against the idea because of theft or whatever.. Lock you shit in your car.. its about thinking of others.. not being selfish ass holes like some of you sound like.. there is more to life than kiting.. If you could share your passion to get someone else stoked then that is awesome.