| Author |
 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,271 |
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
2884 Posts |
How’s everyone today? One of the things that have caused me concern in the last few years is the possibility that younger folks are not finding our hobby! On my own small level I have introduced a few young people to the hobby with some simple gifts of inexpensive Wheaties, Jefferson’s, lower grade type coins and of course the State Quarters. In particular my neighbors two sons have become avid little collectors since I showed them some of my collection and shared some of my “traders” with them a few years back. When I do get out to the local shop I try and pick up a few inexpensive coins out the “bargain box” for them as well. The last two Christmas’s I gave Them SAE’S. They have both brought their budding collections in for show and tell and used their Sacagawea and Eisenhower dollars as illustrations on history projects. I bring my used Magazines and papers to them and the Local Library when I’m done with them. My Daughter picked up the bug rather seriously and has a beautiful Franklin Set (Complete, all MS64 and better!) A fairly large set of Shield Nickel’s and a host of other odds and ends. She also has the currency bug! Are any of you doing anything like this? Mike[:p] P.S. I didn't notice it until it posted but this is the 200th post on the "Main Coin Forum"  Edited by Mike
03/14/2005 03:16 am
|
|
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
954 Posts |
There's a lot you can do to start the flame burning or to keep interest going.
One of my tricks is to give a waiter/waitress a tip and include a coin mounted in a flip with a description written on it. I also have a group of kids called the "Friends of Catman". These kids help me pick out pictures of cats for my stationary and if they help their parents out with something special I will send them a coin.
Just use your imagination you will come up with something.
catman
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2724 Posts |
Here is a subject close to my heart. For years, we have offered "coins in the classroom" to area school kids from grades 4 through 8th. We also partner with the Boy-Girl Scouts, Boys and Girls Club, and America's Promise. There is an annual program in Dover called "Kids Fest" and it will bring in 5000 to 8000 kids per year. Of course, the "coins" are a real crowd pleaser. We usually give away foriegn currency and coins during the large events as it does get costly.
Most schools have some sort of family night, and this is a great way to volunteer a little of your time to teach the kids about coins.
|
|
Rest in Peace
 United States
2884 Posts |
[quote] Originally posted by national dealerHere is a subject close to my heart. For years, we have offered "coins in the classroom" to area school kids from grades 4 through 8th. We also partner with the Boy-Girl Scouts, Boys and Girls Club, and America's Promise. There is an annual program in Dover called "Kids Fest" and it will bring in 5000 to 8000 kids per year. Of course, the "coins" are a real crowd pleaser. We usually give away foriegn currency and coins during the large events as it does get costly. Most schools have some sort of family night, and this is a great way to volunteer a little of your time to teach the kids about coins. national dealer, What an awesome way to give back and share with the community. I keep a box or two of "trader and giveaways" that I would be willing to donate to you for use in one of your programs. Maybe we could get others to so as well. Send me a private E-mail with instructions of where and when to send some stuff. I'd love to help! I'll send 4 or 5 envelopes with a mix of American and Foreign coins for you to distribute as you see fit. Thanks for supporting the kids!!! Mike  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
867 Posts |
I have my own way of getting people interested in coins. I have a small collection of some of the unusual stuff I've found in customer change on top of my computer monitor at my teller station. Nothing really special, just a few Euros, a funky Italian vending machine token, some gold plated coins, you get the idea. People see them and ask what they are. Gets the conversation started anyways- I often have people come in later and show me something that they've found. Works on kids and adults!
Rachel [:p]
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
2884 Posts |
Kyra, what a great idea! I know if that happened to me I'd remember it. A while back I bought a coin on ebay and when it was delivered it came along with an NGC slabbed Keel Boat Nickel with the sellers Business Card up where the label was supposed to be! Very clever. I gave it to my neighbors son! Mike |
|
Rest in Peace
United States
2684 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by national dealer
Here is a subject close to my heart. For years, we have offered "coins in the classroom" to area school kids from grades 4 through 8th. We also partner with the Boy-Girl Scouts, Boys and Girls Club, and America's Promise. There is an annual program in Dover called "Kids Fest" and it will bring in 5000 to 8000 kids per year. Of course, the "coins" are a real crowd pleaser. We usually give away foriegn currency and coins during the large events as it does get costly.
Also a subject close to my heart. I'm a very active Boy Scouting volunteer at the District, Council, and Scout Camp levels. I actively promote my main hobbies: fly fishing, ham radio, and coin collecting. Fishing almost promotes itself, but both coins and ham radio require a little more effort to interest youth. Ham radio interests only a particular kind of kid (hard to define, but I was one - quasi-geek, electronically motivated) while coin collecting attracts a different set and seldom do the twains meet. Since I'm fulltime on the road, I have both my coins and my radios with me in my travel trailer, ready to bring out for a "show and tell" on a moment's notice. At Scout Camp, I am in a particularly unique situation to give coin and radio demonstrations to Scouts. As a result, there's a bunch of new young hams and pocket change watchers running around out there. I would not want to put a percentage figure on the numbers of Scouts I've exposed to both hobbies versus those who have actually taken up one or both. With ham radio, certainly far less than one percent think seriously about pursuing a license while with coins, it's kind of a gradual thing starting with pocket change (a lot of kids), then moving up to cent and nickel folders (not so many) before chasing after that 1895 Morgan (not many at all). Neither coins nor ham radio will ever attract huge masses of youth. Other than both hobbies attracting only certain types of persons, both can be very expensive for a kid on an allowance or with a lawnmowing job. Also, today's youth have other distractions such as the 'net, sports, and, later, girls, avocations which don't cost so much (well,except maybe for the girls part) and are more readily available. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1203 Posts |
I am sure you are aware of the opportunity of becoming a Boy Scout merit badge counselor in all three of the areas of fishing, radio and coin collecting. If not, you may want to give it a try. Very rewarding to say the least.. |
|
New Member
United States
18 Posts |
My six year old and four year old love looking thru my gold coin catalogs with me along with the globe as a quick point of reference. My oldest had a nice collection of American Silver Morgans, Buffalo nickels,etc. but he gave it away to the McDonald Make a Wish box or something in his kindergarten room. He is fighting something himself these past 4 years so he knows what that type of stuff is all about. Anyway, good thing I hide the gold coins from him. The State Quarter series is a great way for fathers and sons to also sit down and look,think and discuss coins together. It does not have to be a deep conversation for it to have meaning. |
|
Moderator
 United States
23519 Posts |
Also involved in scouting as a merit bage counselor- I work with inner city children, many form poorer countries. when I give them a coin or two even though they can't spend it, it is like they inherited a fortune, a few of them have started collecting. Interesting working with these boys. They can't even afford uniforms, we bought them and keep them in the closet at the scout hall and when they come each week, they proudly put on their uniforms. Two of the boys store their small coin collections at the scout hall as well because they are afraid they will be stolen from their homes in their neighbourhood. Keep training the youth expose them to coins and banknotes. rggoodie
aka Richard
"catch em doing something right"
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
2684 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by OldDan
I am sure you are aware of the opportunity of becoming a Boy Scout merit badge counselor in all three of the areas of fishing, radio and coin collecting. If not, you may want to give it a try. Very rewarding to say the least..
I established and ran the fishing program at our local Scout Camp. At my fishing pavilion (teaching area), I also had my radio and coin collection (less most of the really valuable stuff); I like to multitask. However, I only teach Fishing and Fly Fishing Merit Badges on a regular basis; Coin Collecting and Radio MBs are extracurricular. Also, as District Training Chairman, I ran training seminars for merit badge counselors. Let no stone (or coin) remain unturned! I earned my 50-year pin last year along with the James E. West Award in addition to the usual other recognition awards. But, I did it (and will continue to do it even with my infirmities and RV lifestyle) since it's for the boys and it's fun for me with extremely high job satisfaction. When it stops being fun, then I'll get out. Not likely, however. I even went Pro for a couple years in the 60s, then again in the 80s. I know of no other youth program which offers the advantages of the Boy Scouts of America. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1247 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by Kyra
I have my own way of getting people interested in coins. I have a small collection of some of the unusual stuff I've found in customer change on top of my computer monitor at my teller station. Nothing really special, just a few Euros, a funky Italian vending machine token, some gold plated coins, you get the idea. People see them and ask what they are. Gets the conversation started anyways- I often have people come in later and show me something that they've found. Works on kids and adults!
Rachel [:p]
I like Rachel's method the best--a few subtle road signs for anyone who has coin collecting in their blood. Because if they don't have it all the effort in the world won't do any good. |
| |
Replies: 11 / Views: 1,271 |
|
Posted 03/14/2005 12:51 pm
