we currently employee twice a week a "kids only" session, but that session is still swarmed with children with the gimme gimme's. We are working on it, and have employed a lot of the suggestions that people have made.  Some days are gratifying and great, some days are rough. I personally am not there for kids time as i have work, but I feel for those that are. 

thanks for the info all ! 



On Thu, Aug 11, 2011 at 10:16 AM, Katharine Vogel <katharine.d.vogel@gmail.com> wrote:
Something that MoBo Bicycle Co-op in Cincinnati did to address "swarms
of kids" was to open up a dedicated "Kids' Night."  This occurred once
weekly throughout the summer, allowed kids to earn a free bike by
working one on one with an adult mechanic.  While waiting for their
turn with a stand, kids were fed courtesy of local grocery store
donations and were kept busy with a wide variety of educational
activities.  During the rest of the year, kids (ages 6-15) were
allowed in the shop ONLY with an adult.  We allowed kids, and everyone
else, to pump up their tires outside of the work area if they were not
signed in for a stand.

Creating dedicated space for youth is a great opportunity to build
connections within the community you are located in, to teach bicycle
safety and mechanics, and to prove that you are doing something other
than "giving away free stuff."



On Thu, Aug 11, 2011 at 10:07 AM, Maryalice Walker
<maryalice.walker@gmail.com> wrote:
> Our pricing policy for the Nasson Community Bicycle Center:
>
>
> Used parts: $1
> Refurbished bikes: $5 + $1 per used part, total not to exceed $15
> If someone cannot pay for a bicycle, they must repair and donate a bicycle,
> which earns them the right to repair a bicycle to keep for themselves
> If someone cannot pay for used parts, they must put in the equivalent hours
> at the shop
> We receive donations of new equipment/parts. We sell these at full value to
> help fund our programs.
> Adult shop nights: adults pay a $10 yearly shop membership fee for the use
> of our shop to fix their bikes. Volunteering is free. We use the revenue to
> fund grease, raffles at events, and other small program costs.
>
> Maryalice
> On Wed, Aug 10, 2011 at 2:13 PM, ryan jenkins <ryan.t.jenkins@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>>
>> Dear ThinkTank,
>> I am writing to inquire about how any of your organization have dealt with
>> the issuing of assigning value to the services that a non profit community
>> bike space provides (ideally in creative ways outside of our money
>> transaction economy),  particularly with pre-teenage youth in urban areas.
>>  Troy Bike Rescue functions strictly on donations and a sliding scale pay
>> system where patrons are asked to pay for specific items based on what it is
>> worth to them and what they can afford.  This sliding scale pay system
>> applies to the 5 or 6 floor bikes we may have at any one time as well as a
>> small selection of tires, bells, locks, and other very basic bike
>> necessities.
>> What we are struggling with is how to become not just a "place to get your
>> bike fixed for free".  How do we handle the swarm of kids, convey a message
>> about WHAT we are doing, and also provide the services needed to keep bikes
>> on the road?
>> thanks
>> ryan
>> troybikerescue
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>
>
>
> --
> Maryalice Walker, M.S. BPSE
> Resiliency Activities Coordinator
> Nasson Community Center
> Tel: 207-324-5657
> Web: www.nassoncc.org
> Twitter: http://twitter.com/NassonCC
> Facebook: Nasson Community Center and Little Theatre
>
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