Germ of an idea

[lumineaux]

A couple of years ago at a demo, I did a table where I helped kids make their own "coats of arms."   For the younger kids (which was the bulk of the demo -- under age 8), it was just coloring in things I'd already printed up (I did at least make them abide by the Rule of Contrast).  There were one or two kids a little older who actually looked at my books and designed something for themselves.  Their designs were on par with most of the submissions we get (and I mean that in a good way).

Heraldry is something that has no inherent age restriction. It is something we could teach to folks under 18 and they could do everything I do except handle money.

So, for those with kids or who have been kids more recently than I or who know SCAdian kids, I have questions:

(1)  I don't often see the under-18 crowd at consulting tables.  Is this because (a) there isn't much interest in having a name and device at that age or (b) they aren't comfortable talking with adults in that setting?  Or is it simply a question of not cool?  You'd think the kids who do the youth fighting would want shields with their arms on them.

(2)  Would a class like "Heraldry for Kids" or "Heraldry for Teens" be worthwhile?  Or would it be terribly uncool to attend?  What about a class on the silliest documentable names (leaving out things like "Gode Handsex" of course) and discussing how to pick a name?

(3)  Is there a good way of communicating to the under-18 crowd that heraldry is an activity where we'd welcome their participation and interest?

Admittedly, some of this is selfish on my part as a commenting and consulting herald.  If we catch someone early, before they fall in love with a completely non-period name or design, then we don't have problems later.  


Edited to add:  Ary asked what would be different in teaching heraldry to teens rather than adults.  Here's one issue I can think of, for second generation SCAdians: whether to use your parent's/parents' heraldry, what the rules permit, marks of cadency, and the philosophical question whether you *want* to be identified as your parent's kid at all.
 

Comments

[aryanhwy.livejournal.com]

Hmmm.

"Heraldry for kids" might work, but I would definitely stay away from "Heraldry for teens". As you said, heraldry is not an inherently age-restricted subject. So how would heraldry for teens differ from heraldry for adults? When I was a teen in the SCA (and since I was interested in names and heraldry before I joined, I can't really say much about how to get teens interested in heraldry), I and most of the other SCA-teens I knew really disliked the whole "you're not yet real people" approach that a lot of adults took. For things where there is no reason to discriminate based on age, doing so is a good way to actually drive away teens.

Besides, I think a "documenting silly names" class would be fun for all ages!

[lumineaux.livejournal.com]

I was thinking "for teens" to give the shyer ones a safe place to speak up and ask questions without the imposing presence of too many adults.

[lumineaux.livejournal.com]

Besides, I think a "documenting silly names" class would be fun for all ages!

If I were able to go to KWHSS this year (which I'm not, dammit) I would have tried to do this one.

[alysten.livejournal.com]

We run a couple of heraldry activities at (It takes my child) To Raze a Village every year. The kids love them. I am not sure how involved they end up being.

I am not sure that most kids know that the consult tables are meant for them as well as the adults. And they are not the most patient of people if they have to wait behind some of the adults that take a long time.

It might be interesting to set up a Youth (only) consult table at RAV. We get the gambit of kids from 0-18.

[beckishadow.livejournal.com]

The kids mostly just did the tabard-making activity. The actual consult table managed to be swarmed by adults last year. So any ideas you have to shift that dynamic would be appreciated.

[lissa510.livejournal.com]

If its a kids event, make the table for kids only...i see no problem with doing something like that for one event.

and silly names would be a great class, look at how much fun y'all have with it on April fools:)

[beckishadow.livejournal.com]

The kids mostly just did the tabard-making activity. The actual consult table managed to be swarmed by adults last year.

[evilnicola.livejournal.com]

I think this is a great idea, and I will help you however you need with the kid-interest/ kid-gearing part of it.

[lumineaux.livejournal.com]

I need to talk to you anyway re: who do I contact about running a track of heraldry classes at NRWC. When is a good time for us to catch up by phone or is e-mail better?

I might take a dry run at doing a "kids" class at NRWC.

[evilnicola.livejournal.com]

I'll ask Ulfr when he gets home from practice tonight who you should contact about classes, unless he responds to this first. Sleeping with the autocrat has its perks.

I'm available by phone anytime this afternoon/evening, and in general anytime between 4-10 on weeknights.

[lumineaux.livejournal.com]

Text me after you've had the chance to talk to Ulfr and we'll follow up from there.

[evilnicola.livejournal.com]

I don't seem to have a number for you in my phone. Can you email it to me?

[lumineaux.livejournal.com]

You didn't save my texts from Crown? ;-) ;-)

[evilnicola.livejournal.com]

There it is. I searched alys and it didn't come up because I hadn't saved the number as you. Smart phone is smarter than me.

[math5.livejournal.com]

The few time I've worked with kids at consult tables their armorial choices were actually decent and they were pretty open to discussion. Each time there was an accompanying parent, but I've always discussed with the child, since it was the person submitting something.
I'm thinking they'll be interested if they see others (other kids or their parents) interested.
I'm thinking a "design your device then make something to display it class" would work.
The silliest documentable names, is an all ages class.
Don't try to target to teens, any attempt to target them is uncool ;)

[collin-m.livejournal.com]

Katie has arms because you sat with her 2 Pennsics ago and she felt comfortable with you. I don't think it would have worked if she did not know and love you already. That being said she is proud that she has arms and tells everyone that she has them and her mom does not. :)

[math5.livejournal.com]

I think that her arms are nice and simple.

[evilnicola.livejournal.com]

Regarding your edit, I think that would be a great class.

" ibn Liam- Naming Practices for Second Generation Scadians"

[lumineaux.livejournal.com]

Love the name ;-) I wonder if I can sneak this one in to the Pennsic classes a little late.

[math5.livejournal.com]

You still can.
I think you're just too late to be in the booklet, is all.