[SCA-BMDL] Fw: Re: New Youth A&S Rule

[Karen Kasper]

Yes and no. Yes they made the policy, however, today they backed off a hair with the clarification below, sent by Mistress Chai'usun, Deputy Mayor in charge of Cultural Affairs. Short story: kids under 18 now must be accompanied to classes by a responsible adult, but it doesn't HAVE to be a parent or legal guardian. Your camp mates and friends can escort them.
 
I heard a rumor from a very reliable source that this is NOT about molestation concerns, but about kids being "dumped" on A&S classes by parents seeking a de facto free baby sitter. Last week I repeatedly asked the Chancellor of the University, Mistress Catherine Aimee le Moyne, why this policy was implemented, but she repeatedly ignored that question. If the rumor is true, even this diluted policy makes no sense. 
 
Kids under 12 *already* have to be accompanied by an adult any time they leave camp. Kids 12 and over *need no babysitter.*

I wrote to Mistress Chai this morning. At the moment she appears to be responding to all inquiries on this topic with this canned response. Once the uproar dies down a bit, I plan to email her again to see if *she* will answer the question regarding the intent of the rule.

Arianna

--- On Tue, 7/6/10, Chai 'usun <chaiusun at gmail.com> wrote:


From: Chai 'usun <chaiusun at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: New Youth A&S Rule
To: "Karen Kasper" <arianna_wyn at yahoo.com>
Date: Tuesday, July 6, 2010, 5:22 PM


Dear concerned SCAdian, parent, Pennsic teacher, or friend of youth at Pennsic: 


Please forgive me for sending this automated response, the sheer volume of email in my inbox makes it impossible for me to individually reply to everyone. 


First let me suggest that you read carefully my letter on the Pennsic A&S webpage http://www.pennsicwar.org/penn39/cultural.html. It may address some of your concerns. Second, and after you have read the website letter, I would like to clarify some points regarding the new rule: 



1. Yes, the rule does indeed go beyond the scope of the Society standard by asking parents to arrange supervision of not just children under 12 but of youth 13-18; however, it applies only to those classes held by Pennsic University in A&S tents.  


2. The rule does require adult supervision of youth, by a parent or by a "guardian"--which is defined for our purposes as a responsible adult designated by the the parent to attend the class with the youth. Let me repeat that. We are not requiring a legal court-appointed guardian, simply a responsible adult. (My thanks to the Society MOY and especially to the Pennsic 39 Mayor for allowing us that interpretation of the rule). 


3. The teachers of Pennsic classes are not required nor expected to check IDs or ages of anyone attending their classes. We trust that parents will use good judgement in sending their children and youth to appropriate classes; and that the teachers will use good judgement and inform the responsible adult with any youth if material in the class is unsuitable for minors.


4. This rule is in effect for Pennsic 39. The rules for next Pennsic will be set by the Mayor and the staff of Pennsic 40 at that time. This is not Society policy, nor does Cultural Affairs staff wish to debate the justice of the rule. Yes, there were reasons for the rule. No, I am sorry, we will not be disseminating that information for debate in SCA forums.   


5. This rule has been in effect since early May, it was not a last minute decision and it was never intended to drive parents or children away from Pennsic. If you find that you cannot adapt to this rule and do decide not to attend Pennsic because of it I am truly saddened, but all I can offer you are my apologies for the inconvenience. If you do decide to return to Pennsic in future years, please take time to read carefully all the rules of Pennsic for that year and follow the announcements for changes (which always happen) as they arise.


Please understand, neither I nor the staff of Pennsic University are against children or youth partaking of all that Pennsic has to offer--my own four children grew up in the SCA, my grandchildren currently attend Pennsic. This rule will affect them as well. I have been a pre-school teacher and a daycare director, I am currently faculty at a state university. So please believe me that I do understand how this may affect your Pennsic, whether you are a parent or a teacher, as I know it will affect mine. 


I have and will take time to read all the emails I receive on this matter. I am very impressed by the range of knowledge and experience you all hold as well as the thoughtful responses many of you have taken the time to express. I welcome your input and will pass along your ideas wherever I think they will do the most good. I encourage you, if you would like to make a difference, to offer your services to the fine volunteers running Youth Point and A&S Point. The more sane and sensible folk we have actively participating in volunteer capacities, the fewer rules we are likely to have to make both at Pennsic and in the SCA. 


Thank you for your patience and understanding, 


Mistress Chai 
Deputy Mayor for Cultural Affairs
Pennsic 39


      
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