My two YNs had a fantastic experience a the Balto. show. Bodes well for the hobby IMO.
Raufus
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Knowing that I would not be able to get to the show in time for the Moy/Mercanti round table, and having been there yesterday, I figured that I'd skip the show today to get some errands done.
When I told my 11 y.o. about the two fossil dealers there he begged to go and we went. I'm very glad that we did.
Just as I finished registering, someone behind the registration desk vied to get my attention. I though that was was going to offer me raffle tickets to buy. Instead, he said that he wanted to buy six for my kids, which he did. My kids and I thanked him heartily. His generosity really took me by surprise.
We then sat down for a quick meal. Shortly after sitting down, a collector to my right gave both of my kids what appeared to be large cents. He discussed with my kids how old that they were, suggested that they use a magnifying glass to try to identify the coins, and answered my kids questions about them - such a kind and generous thing to do. My kids just love them - they couldn't get over how old that they were.
After looking at the fossils, I brought my kids over to the Kid's Corner where they were starting to pack up. They immediately turned their attention to my kids, sat them down with some cent albums and told that kids that they could keep whatever cents that they could fill them with. In addition, they gave them some world coins and a slabbed cent. My kids were there for nearly an hour and had a fantastic time.
During their time at the Kid's Corner, the staff of the Kid's Corner took my kids over to Micheal Bean's spider press exhibit and entered them in the raffle for a print - which my 11 y.o. won. Clearly Micheal loved talking with the kids about his great exhibit. They then went right back to the Kid's corner to continue filling their albums.
When they were finished at the Kid's Corner I wanted to look over some books at the Whitman's booth. While I was doing that my kids began to show their coins to the security guard who was stationed near the exit. She kept them entertained for about 15 minutes and seemed to have a great time talking to my kids about their coins.
While we were walking out my kids were talking about how they can't wait for the March show - not for the fossils but for the Kid's Corner and to look at the coins. What a great time.
In addition, they said that they were going to put on a "coin show" for my wife and I with the coins from the Kid's Corner so the fun will go on.
As with any hobby, numismatics is only one generation away from extinction. I thought that my kids' experiences at the Balto. show boded well for the hobby.
I simply can't thank all of those who interacted with my kids enough for making this such a fantastic experience for them. Both seem to be on the path towards becoming YNs.
I would encourage any collectors who have kids to bring them to this show - they just make it a blast for the kids. It's experiences such as these which I could easily see leading to a lifelong interest in numismatics.
Edited: I want to specifically thank Whitman for the Kid's Corner. While many of the items which they give the kids are donated (thanks very much to those who do!!) most apparently are purchased by Whitman for the Kid's Corner for use in the various free activities there.
When I told my 11 y.o. about the two fossil dealers there he begged to go and we went. I'm very glad that we did.
Just as I finished registering, someone behind the registration desk vied to get my attention. I though that was was going to offer me raffle tickets to buy. Instead, he said that he wanted to buy six for my kids, which he did. My kids and I thanked him heartily. His generosity really took me by surprise.
We then sat down for a quick meal. Shortly after sitting down, a collector to my right gave both of my kids what appeared to be large cents. He discussed with my kids how old that they were, suggested that they use a magnifying glass to try to identify the coins, and answered my kids questions about them - such a kind and generous thing to do. My kids just love them - they couldn't get over how old that they were.
After looking at the fossils, I brought my kids over to the Kid's Corner where they were starting to pack up. They immediately turned their attention to my kids, sat them down with some cent albums and told that kids that they could keep whatever cents that they could fill them with. In addition, they gave them some world coins and a slabbed cent. My kids were there for nearly an hour and had a fantastic time.
During their time at the Kid's Corner, the staff of the Kid's Corner took my kids over to Micheal Bean's spider press exhibit and entered them in the raffle for a print - which my 11 y.o. won. Clearly Micheal loved talking with the kids about his great exhibit. They then went right back to the Kid's corner to continue filling their albums.
When they were finished at the Kid's Corner I wanted to look over some books at the Whitman's booth. While I was doing that my kids began to show their coins to the security guard who was stationed near the exit. She kept them entertained for about 15 minutes and seemed to have a great time talking to my kids about their coins.
While we were walking out my kids were talking about how they can't wait for the March show - not for the fossils but for the Kid's Corner and to look at the coins. What a great time.
In addition, they said that they were going to put on a "coin show" for my wife and I with the coins from the Kid's Corner so the fun will go on.
As with any hobby, numismatics is only one generation away from extinction. I thought that my kids' experiences at the Balto. show boded well for the hobby.
I simply can't thank all of those who interacted with my kids enough for making this such a fantastic experience for them. Both seem to be on the path towards becoming YNs.
I would encourage any collectors who have kids to bring them to this show - they just make it a blast for the kids. It's experiences such as these which I could easily see leading to a lifelong interest in numismatics.
Edited: I want to specifically thank Whitman for the Kid's Corner. While many of the items which they give the kids are donated (thanks very much to those who do!!) most apparently are purchased by Whitman for the Kid's Corner for use in the various free activities there.
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I had a similar experience with my kids at a few shows and it made a lasting impression. I agree, bring your kids to some bigger shows and they will have a blast.
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<< <i>Whitman for the Kid's Corner >>
Great Report.
One question,"How does one donate items for use at Whitman for the kids corner"?
- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC
When I got up this morning my kids were sorting their coins by country and digging through our change to find more coins for their albums. They were so excited. I'm amazed at what an impression their experience has had.
I can assure my fellow forum members that any donations to the Kid's Corner are well wort it. I will bring some to the next show. I believe that items can just be dropped off at the Kid's Corner.