Future Reflections Special Issue: Technology
The 2012 National Convention Youth Track
by Meleah Jensen
From the Editor: Convention offers opportunities for the whole family. While younger children are playing in NFB Childcare, teens and preteens enjoy a variety of games and challenges in the Youth Track.
If you are between the ages of eleven and eighteen, or if you are bringing a young person to convention who falls into that age bracket, you should definitely explore the Youth Track activities. The Youth Track is a group of activities within the convention agenda that are specifically geared for young people. These activities are designed to foster positive attitudes about blindness and to encourage social interactions between blind youth and successful blind adult mentors.
This year the Youth Track consists of twelve activities spread across six days. In some of the activities the whole group will stay together. In others the group will be divided, with one group for eleven- to thirteen-year-olds and another for youth between fourteen and eighteen. All of the activities are interactive and call for high energy.
First thing on Saturday, June 30, the Youth Track will open with a creative problem-solving activity called "Balloon Build or Bust." Activities will continue throughout Saturday and will include opportunities for creative expression, explorations of NFB "Popular Culture," and Federationbook (the social media network you may not have heard of) activity. Over the rest of the week young people will have the opportunity to participate in activities where they will learn about the Federation, socialize, enjoy recreation, and put on their creative writing caps.
As convention approaches, an official Youth Track agenda will be released. Keep a lookout for it on the NFB listservs and at <http://nfb.org/youth-track>. Space will be limited for some of the activities, and preregistration will be required. For more information please contact Meleah Jensen at (410) 659-9314, Ext. 2418 or [email protected].