CatM said:
2xw said:
Some things that might make the entrance of U18s to the sport easier:
1. Proper education for clubs about the extent of their liabilities and perhaps a checklist of what they need (it really isn't that onerous)
This would be useful. As a club, we are hoping to start organising more "family weekends" where small-person-friendly trips can be run and club-member families stay at the hut. We're not 100% sure though what steps legally need to be taken in relation to safeguarding and liability, etc....
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I'll send you a PM CatM with a bit of information which you might find useful.
I was taught how to cave by clubs I became a member of from a
very early age and I'm convinced this is the best way to learn. As a child I was looked after extremely well. I don't think any problem of encouraging youngsters is related to not hiring instructors. It's more because successive governments have "solved" child protection concerns by creating extra bureaucracy. This puts some clubs off dealing with youngsters, as they take the easy option (of just accepting members from age 18 onwards). But, as has been mentioned above, when you get down to it the process is actually not that complicated.
I share concerns by Chris to some extent about the future for British caving but I don't agree with all of his post. I did take the time to watch that video and I was a bit surprised to see that those children appear to be encouraged to complete exercises competitively. (Notice how one or two rushed off the rope to slap the box, then relaxed.) If such an approach to caving were to be transferred underground, that would be real cause for concern (safety, conservation, etc).
New cavers have been ably looked after by clubs in the UK for over a Century (the YRC, for example, having been formed in Victorian times). Caving has thrived during this long period, surviving national crises such as wars. Modern professional instruction does provide a valuable service to the caving community in some circumstances. (I've hired instructors myself in the past, when it's been the best of several options). But caving has fared very well as an amateur activity and I'd not like to see that change substantially. However, more clubs need to be willing to jump through the (not very complicated) hoops which they perceive to get in the way of introducing youngsters to caving. Apart from helping to ensure a healthy future for our pastime (or way of life?) it can be great fun too!