Summer and Schools out

[BAJR Host]

Is anyone getting involved in archaeology events with kids and amateurs this summer? Get on the BAJR calendar and publicise!!!

Or do you find the thought appalling?? or even worse... are the new laws about Health and Safety and Child Protection etc making it impossible ... views

[Post-Med Potterer]

We are doing NAD, plus another weekend in August, I shall post details shortly!

We have had to put all of our staff through the Police check for working with kids, which was fine with one exception who had moved so many times he couldn't remember all his addresses for the last three (or was it five) years so was unable to be certified (if that's the right word!). Hardly surprising (we have all been there, I'm sure), and sadly I suspect many otherwise enthusiastic experienced diggers on what used to be called 'the circuit' will be in a similar position.

So far no problems. One issue is that you cannot take pictures for use on a website without the express written permission of all the parents whose children are in the scene, so working shots are out of the question on excavations involving children.

Another issue is the fact that the archaeological site we use for NAD and childrens activities is within an open-air museum setting, and we do sometimes find ourselves being used as a 'creche' whilst the parents go elsewhere. This is quite annoying, as we are potentially liable during this time.

However most family groups enjoy their involvement, and some come back several times - last year we ran three weekends, and two children dragged their (separate) families along for all six days.

Kids ask quite complex questions, and you do find yourself really thinking 'why ARE we doing this' as you go along. A good reflexive process. Adult participants often have different motives, and can be extremely interested in a wide range of subjects. Non-archaeologists bring new perspectives to jaded diggers!

Overall - good fun but extremely exhausting.