By Melissa Carlson, F301017
President FMCA TATS
october 2005
At each international convention, FMCA hosts youth centers that are open to all children between 2 and 18 years of age where they can enjoy videos, games, and friendship with other traveling youth. This past summer’s convention in Minot had more than 100 youth in attendance.
On Monday, the first night of the convention, the Teen-Age Travelers (TATS) held their annual election of youth officers. David Hartley, F31950, was elected as second vice president; Cassie Harbek, F200762, as first vice president; and I was re-elected as president for my fifth and final year as an officer before college. Robert Drake, F228350, was also elected to the office of third vice president; however, he was scheduled to begin school at Texas Technical College in late August, so Philip Marlowe, F367754, will take his place.
As youth officers, we hand out newsletters at each convention during morning coffee hour, help the youth volunteers, welcome new kids in the TATS Center, and give an update of the youth program’s activities at FMCA’s annual membership meeting.
In addition to the youth officer elections in Minot, we took part in many outings, including a trip to the Roosevelt Park Zoo on the second day of the convention. On the third day we enjoyed an entire day at a water park with an attached mall and arcade. Despite the rain, we had a blast at a go-cart track and miniature golf course on the morning of the last day. We also had one final field trip to a local roller skating rink before we had to say good-bye.
During the convention we were visited several times by Flakey the Magic Clown, who entertained us with magic tricks and even showed us how he applies his makeup. We also had a surprise visit from a Royal Canadian Mountie, who not only explained to us what he does but also gave us free pins and postcards.
All the youth are eternally grateful for the wonderful volunteers, FMCA, and the Friends of Children chapter for making the youth center possible, and, of course, Blue Ox for the free T-shirts.
We hope to see many more youth in Pomona for FMCA’s 75th International Convention, March 20-23, 2006, and in Charlotte for FMCA’s 76th International Convention, August 14-17, 2006!