Hello,

I need some answers, please. I coach skating and am currently manager for the Synchro team's USFS Skate with us program. It raises money for the team, and i am just a volunteer with this program. I am in charge, but also kind of trying to honor the synchro coach (who is quite a bit younger than i am).

Problem is, our program has grown, but some weeks, a few of the Synchro girls may not be able to make it, so we have incorporated 2 "helpers" so far. One is a 13 year old girl, who is doing very well, and another is an 11-year old juvenile level skater who is very mature for her age.

Well, i just had a mom call and ask if her 10-year old could help, and i told her i would get back to her. This little girl is not very mature for her age - she comes across more as a 7 or 8 year old, not that she acts like a baby, but her take on things.... anyway, now i am afraid if i say no, i will hurt this parent's feelings and the child, and if i say yes, it may hurt the integrity of the program. I need to start establishing a little more boundaries, but to be honest, i thought the Synchro team would be more "THERE" every week, and also, the program has grown. If i were completely in charge, i would be more hard core from the beginning.....any ideas?

P.S. the USFS Learn to skate contact didn't really seem to give me a direct age to go with....

For CanSkate at our club the PA's need to be 10 years old. They usually help out with a larger group that has a senior coach teaching so it is more just holding hands, demonstrating, etc.

And, in our club, the PAing for Canskate is completely based on skating level (tests). And it is mandatory; and it is direct instruction, sometimes without a coach supervising. And it is not effective. Kids as young as 8 years old are attempting to teach older, stronger kids how to skate ... sigh. It's awful. Please don't get me started ... I can rant for hours.

However, some of the 8 year olds are more effective than silly 12 or 13 year olds - ! Which is why age boundaries don't work.

Anyways. I would suggest that if you want to do this, you might formalize it. Kids who are assisting could apply, and then meet with you to "discuss" their commitment, experience, etc. That way you could give them a good idea of what they are getting into, the work involved, and make them feel like it is a responsible position that is an honour to get. It would also help to get a bit more buyin. As you add more, you want that buyin so that you won't have to chase the kids around if they get bored and unreliable. If you turn them down, then, you can say "you were great but you need to add/improve/work on" etc. The silly 10 year old may suddenly become the amazing 12 year old and you don't want to discourage them completely.

I'd just say you don't need any more helpers right now, but if you do, you'll contact her.

Well, things worked better than i thought (after breathing a quick prayer!)

The young lady's coach (who is college age) is volunteering now with the Snowplow Sam kids and her student is the one who wanted to help. I spoke with coach first, and explained the situation, and she was excited to pitch in. So having the coach be a part of the package helped us, plus gave this young girl some good guidance, when i can't be everywhere! Yeah!