Minimum Age Req.

[slurik]

Hello,

I'm interested in knowing the youngest age of children who attend OVAS events. I have a 2 year old, who absolutely will not behave appropriately for events this year, however im curious if a well behaved 3 year old would be entirely out of place, or if people generally wait until 6+ to bring children along with them. I wouldnt bring them if I had not the confidence they could behave themselves, though I'm curious if she will sit out like a sore thumb being the only child there. I'd be wanting to take her to events in 2012 or 2013, plenty of time to pass before I would take her, she will be 3-4 at that time.

Thanks in advance!

[Laura]

I've seen babies and kids of various ages at meetings and the auction.

There's even been some discussion of how to provide for kid entertainment (colour books, art etc) at the meetings, but I don't know if this has gone anywhere.

I don't think you should be self-conscious about bringing her, but they tend to not be kid-heavy events, so there probably wouldn't be many little friends there, so you may want to bring something she'll enjoy playing with.

The events are always kid friendly too - I believe I saw a post about the upcoming BBQ...

[Nerine]

my tot has been coming since he's been born! he's now 2 1/2 ...he doesn't come as often anymore due to I now live outside of Ottawa and the drive home is generally long. but he'll be at monday's meeting!

If more kids start showing up on a regular basis, I'll bring a box of things for them to play in (toys/colouring books etc) and maybe a mat or two for the floor so they can play in the back out of the way.

[Janny]

I went to my first meeting in April and took my 6 year old. I wasn't sure how that would go over so we sat in the back and were prepared to duck out if neccessary. We didn't notice any hairy eyeballs directed our way and people were welcoming to us.

I also have a nearly 2 year old, but she's too much of a monkey to sit through a meeting. She loves going to the LFS and loves our tanks but climbs like a maniac and has one strong set of lungs she isn't afraid to use. My older daughter would have been fine at that age to go and sit on my lap though.

I think it's great to get the little people involved in our hobby and it's amazing what they can learn - care and empathy, life cycles, responsibility, etc etc. My older daughter and I even had a great talk about invasive species the other day which she relayed to her dad later and wants to share with her class.

[Fishnut]

Kids are definitely welcome at the meetings!  Since we're all concentrating on the speaker, lots of loud horsing around would likely get you the stink-eye, but I've seen lots of great kids that bring activities and sit quietly.

I don't usually bring my tot to the monthly meetings (he's almost 2) because all he'll want to do is play...plus his bed time is right in the middle of the meeting so there's a high chance that he'll get grumpy.  I brought him when he was an infant a few times but he fussed due to the late hour and we had to duck out.  He comes to the BBQ though!

Meetings can be a bit boring for kids, unfortunately.  It's going to be something I'm going to try to work on for next season.  We need an OVAS TNG!   I'm not 100% sure what I want to try yet though.  There was a thread about suggestions, but not all are feasible.  I'll see!