Badlad said:
There is a lot of competition from outdoor activities for any interested youngster. Tens of thousands each year get to try caving as an instructed trip usually through school, outdoor activity centres, scouts, cadets etc. A small number will be attracted to the sport of caving but there are numerous barriers to participation for them. I suspect it is far too easy for them to be sidetracked into a different activity which is simpler to participate in. If they do get to uni, and that uni has a caving club, then that early interest may attract them to join, but not everyone goes to uni and not all unis have a caving club, and of course by that time the interest may be lost. Ideas such as the adventure academy are needed to address this element of early participation capture but that needs rolling out across the country supported by a huge volunteer resource that is where it will likely struggle.
I find it interesting that a few under 18s that I have known have become very competent cavers at quite an early age, even to the point of doing British grade fives and major European caves with ease. However, all of these have had caving parents or guardians. There must be huge potential in youth caving which is seldom realised.
Anyway I appreciate I am answering a question about young cavers on a thread entitled 'old cavers'. Apologies to the OP
Going back to Badlads reply, This is something I have given lots of thought to when thinking of ways to recruit into a club. However the above is not just restricted to the younger end.
These days, there is so much opportunity to 'try' adventure sport...at a price. By way of example, I have a friend who considers himself as an 'Adventurer'. Said person partakes in a different activity each weekend however he pays for his adventure using guides each time. One week they can be diving, next week kayaking and so on. Now I have no problem with this as I have several friends who depend on this type of 'adventurer' as a way of income.
I have questioned the person as to why he wont commit to one sport and maybe contribute back to their chosen sport(not in a financial sense). The response has always been that they have disposable income and if they can pay, they will continue to do something different every week without commitment to a club/friends and the necessity of having to maintain the equipment required. Also as someone else is partly responsible for their safety, they feel comfortable.
Personally, I find it quite a clinical attitude as the element of 'adventure' is in someone else's hands.
Getting back to the OP, the CPC has had an increase in membership during the last few months. Most of the new members have all been over 50 and in one case over 70. For the most part, they have been (very) active cavers in their youth...and now wish to return to the sport.
This is fantastic and they have all acted with competence while on club trips....However, I do get excited when we get applications from potential members who are under 45