Can preteen children be trusted to not vandalize valuable exibits, musical instruments, etc.?

Can preteen children be trusted to not vandalize valuable exibits, musical instruments, etc.? I work in an after-school program and would like to keep areas open for preteen and early-adolescent children and youth during our church's summer camp program. Once they reach 6th grade they don't require absolute supervision -- and I like them to be able to explore the library, and various other 'stations' of the building (e.g. Being able to go back and forth to the dining hall through the building). I tend to think most kids respect valuables, but I am a little hesitant because there is a guilded harp, a grandfather clock (both donated), a passover seder set, and liturgical equipment where they can get their hands on it, if allowed free access to other areas.

I hate locking things, because when I was a child and youth I loved exploring -- even historic exhibits in the public library, curiosities, etc.Then again, children and youth nowadays seem more bent on destruction. What's your opinion? Can children be trusted with access to museumlike bric-a-brac and curiosities?

Asked by Yellowdog 32 months ago Similar questions: preteen children trusted vandalize valuable exibits musical instruments Sports & Recreation > Outdoors.

Similar questions: preteen children trusted vandalize valuable exibits musical instruments.

Lock them up! Well, as a docent at a busy historical museum that gets 150,000 visitors a year, I would say to lock them up--or at least put them out of reach! Just saying not to touch or to be careful isn't enough.

The kids might be good kids in general, but they get so excited when they have freedom! They often do things out of childish enthusiasm that they probably would never do while supervised, and when that happens--things tend to get broken... There is something about knobs, drawers, buttons--anything that is "hands on"--they want to put their hands on it! Every hands-on thing we have at the museum is under repair quite often.

And it's not necessarily that they are trying to destroy it, but that they love to see what that button will do, or what is inside, or what sound it will make. The things that we have that are made to be touched are generally made very sturdily--but still get broken. Delicate artifacts would never survive, I'd almost guarantee.

And sometimes things just "disappear" when left out in the open, we've discovered the hard way. We have a fire call box on a pole that is "touchable"--thank goodness it's not hooked up to sound, as it's pulled hundreds of times a day, and climbed on and jumped on. They can't resist--and many don't even know what it is!

They reach across barriers to touch the Model T cars we have, and I have found the cover of the engine open! It's a real temptation to many! I understand you're wanting them to be exposed to the items, but expose them under supervision, only--and even then you are taking a risk with items you can't really replace.

They might not mean to break it when they pull that harp string to see how far it will go--but they are curious and things just "happen" sometimes... If you value your items, I would definitely restrict access to them! Poppet Poppet! 's Recommendations Straight Jacket Amazon List Price: $224.99 hehe...maybe if you got some of these!.

1 I don't think you would need to lock the stuff up, but I would strongly recommend that you let them know, "You can look, but please don't touch," and even that is if they are respectful. I have boisterous pre-teen grandsons, and know that kids can damage things without meaning to, if they are allowed to handle things.

I don't think you would need to lock the stuff up, but I would strongly recommend that you let them know, "You can look, but please don't touch," and even that is if they are respectful. I have boisterous pre-teen grandsons, and know that kids can damage things without meaning to, if they are allowed to handle things.

2 Individually most adolescents behave fairly well. As with adults, however, their behavior in a group can be very different. Showing off for one another and posturing can turn into pushing and shoving.

Of course that can lead to "collateral damage," involving anyone and anything in the vicinity. My opinion is that kids must be supervised unless you are willing to accept damage to the displays.

Individually most adolescents behave fairly well. As with adults, however, their behavior in a group can be very different. Showing off for one another and posturing can turn into pushing and shoving.

Of course that can lead to "collateral damage," involving anyone and anything in the vicinity. My opinion is that kids must be supervised unless you are willing to accept damage to the displays.

Poppet! Said: 3 As a follow up to my answer...yesterday at the museum a "triangle" (that metal thing that you ring to call the kids into dinner in the old days) that one of the docents brought in to show kids just disappeared...why someone would want that I'll never know...

As a follow up to my answer...yesterday at the museum a "triangle" (that metal thing that you ring to call the kids into dinner in the old days) that one of the docents brought in to show kids just disappeared...why someone would want that I'll never know...

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.