[Foundation-l] Wikimedia Youth Camp?

[Sam Korn]

On 9/6/06, Erik Moeller <eloquence at gmail.com> wrote:
> Topics would be handled in a more participatory, workshop style manner
> than typical conference sessions. They could include:
> - How to write really good articles?
> - How to do research in libraries?
> - What is this copyright stuff all about?
> - My POV, your POV, NPOV?
> - Where's Willy? How to find and fight vandals
> - Jimbo's campfire stories
> - Write your own news with Wikinews
> - Celebrity hunt: Wikimedia Commons needs you
> - Everything you know about Pokemon, and where to put it
>
> OK, perhaps I'm not really good at defining the topic scope. But you
> get the idea. ;-)

Yes, I certainly get the idea...

The trouble is that this has the potential to be extremely
patronising.  There are considerable numbers of young Wikipedians
(defined how, exactly?  Under 18?  Under 21?  Under 25?) who have as
good a grasp of the principles of Wikimedia as any adult members, even
if, for various practical reasons, they are unable to play a
significant role in the government of the Foundation as their adult
counterparts.  I can't see how you can avoid this kind of event
becoming either a beginner's guide to Wikimedia (not something anyone
committed enough to fork out several hundred quid needs) or a mini
Wikimania.  While an entirely admirable idea -- it's always good to
reach out to members of the community in new ways -- I can't imagine
how it could be practically made into a useful and productive event.

-- 
Sam