Help Me Help The Kids... NEED AO SUPPORT!

[one_quick_ta]

I am a counselor at a boys shelter and here is my problem... uninformed people... i am trying to get a paintball day for the kids many of whom already play others who would never have the opportunity due to their parents financial situation etc... problem is i keep running into the same bs ..."its violent"..."they will get hurt"... etc...

we take them skating at a skatepark with a full half pipe... we take them bowling... snowboarding and skiing... the list goes on and on all of which are more dangerous than PB...

many other programs take their kids to play... so i need to put together a proposal but i also need to be able to prove them wrong. and answer all their questions before they ask them.

So here is what i need from AO:

Statistics (where to get them so i can site them and show my sources)
positve stories if you have them about how PB helped you
anything that would help me get these kids into something besides video games, drugs and Crime
also any other examples of boys programs that you may know of that use paintball

[DevilMan]

If it was that dangerous of a sport then kids aged 10 and up would not be allowed to play it PERIOD!!!!!

Or take each of the "old farts" a couple of ping pong balls and tell them that they should put those in their shorts so then maybe they could finally say they had a pair.

Good luck with it man,

DM

[pk5]

Have you posted this question on MCB? I can't remember who, but there was a MCB member who collect marker and use them to go with his youth group.

As for my case, i have always taken my youth group Ages 10 to 16 to paintball every year. They love it, it give them a chance to do something beside just camping and bonfire, and we still play it to this day. I am taking them in december to a scenario paintball one too.

[one_quick_ta]

Have you posted this question on MCB? I can't remember who, but there was a MCB member who collect marker and use them to go with his youth group.

As for my case, i have always taken my youth group Ages 10 to 16 to paintball every year. They love it, it give them a chance to do something beside just camping and bonfire, and we still play it to this day. I am taking them in december to a scenario paintball one too.

where are you located, what is the youth group called, i can totally use your expierience thanks for the post

[Watcher]

Getting more kids into paintball is great.

I think 95% of players have a very outgoing attitude when it comes to new players and such, and as long as everyone is friendly and laid back everyone has a good time.

As far as the safety is concerned and "someone is going to get hurt", I'd do a physical demonstration of goggles, barrelsocks, chronographs, and remind everyone that a deticated staff of referees who are employed to make sure everyone is kept safe is on site at all times.
Remember that the reason PB is safer than sitting on your couch and watching TV is because EVERYONE follows the saftey rules and wears the masks and uses barrel socks. The referees are there to make sure it in fact is everyone, and not just those who feel like it.

Kids are going to be running around a field, tripping, getting bruises, and having fun playing tag so why not give them goggles and a marker and have them running around a field, tripping, getting bruises, and having fun playing "tag"

Search for some of Tyger's videos with expertvillage. He has a lot of good information that may prove usefull.

I remember I wrote a paper for college on paintball and I went over peoples' immediate opinions and debunked them as well as proving how many good, honest people play and have fun and how it isn't a "war game" in most respects (see: scenario).
If I can dig it up I'll send you the word file.

[DanMan]

Paintball is actually the source of all the worlds problems and therefore should be banned in general. Those "old farts" you speak about actually sound like they are very reasonable. lol

But yeah, i would sell it as no more violent than a game of tag or capture the flag. The only difference being that tagging just became long range! And compared to the other things you mentioned very safe.

[firsttarget]

Warpig has a great deal of information. http://www.warpig.com/

[warbeak2099]

Wait for them to die. Or...

[spwz99]

This just proves my belief that it is the people with no knowledge about a subject who are the most dangerous. They base their beliefs on conjecture and secondhand information with little to no facts involved.

Like my girlfriend's psychology professor who told her class that paintball guns should be illegal since they can be easily converted into a real firearm. (He also believes that all firearms should be outlawed)

[Ruler_Mark]

Leave them. Vote with your hourage. You dont like them find a different house that lets the kids play pb.

[Chrishew09]

just google'd it

http://www.paint-ball.org/paintball/safety_report.htm

[Beemer]

Leave them. Vote with your hourage. You dont like them find a different house that lets the kids play pb.

Is that what you would do and fail at your objective and accomplish nothing?

[one_quick_ta]

Keep it coming!!!!!!!!

crishew thanks man that site helped a lot!

beemer i totally agree with you... if i went to a program that played already i wouldnt be advancing the sport at all, id be giving up and letting them win...

thank you everyone for your feedback!

KEEP IT COMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ruler_Mark]

Is that what you would do and fail at your objective and accomplish nothing?

No just that generally elder people's views cannot be changed no matter. A place like that cannot function without volunteers so if they wont do what he wants he should spend his hourage somewhere else.

[one_quick_ta]

No just that generally elder people's views cannot be changed no matter. A place like that cannot function without volunteers so if they wont do what he wants he should spend his hourage somewhere else.

im not a volunteer, i actually get paid... lol i guess you could call it that... but i do agree that old ppls opinions dont change, ive been working there for a year and the reason im trying now is because we got a new director and clinical coordinator they are about my age so i saw a glimmer of hope i just need the research and the rebuttles for their arguements...