Starting a LUG for Teens?

[houstonproductions1]

Hey y'all,

I'm hoping to start a LEGO User Group for TFOLs this summer in Atlanta, and I have a few question I hope people can answer...

First off, where is the best place for people to meet, based on experience? I know lots of people say libraries, but seeing as you can't be too loud (even in a study room) or have any food there, I'm not quite sure.

I also have my LEGO/Youtube studio in my basement, but I'd be afraid until I get to know the members of the group that they would steal something...possibly?

But yeah, that brings me to the next topic: how to get members? I'd prefer to keep the group small (like 12 or under people), and I only want people who are legitimately hardcore LEGO fans. So where to advertise? I mean, my youtube channel is obviously a great place, so there's that, but what about in the public?

And finally, the third question: what to do? I know that lots of folks just like to hang out and talk LEGO and probably trade a bit, but I also wonder what else. I also have read about the organized builds, but I feel like until I could get a group started that wouldn't happen for a while, and the group would have to decide as a whole. As far as anything else, I've got nothing. Ideas?

Thanks for the help.

[WoutStopmotion]

I'm under 18 and i'm just as interested in Lego, buying Lego, building with Lego, participating in Lego events and talking about Lego as most AFOLs are. In fact, i attended my first LUG meet last Sunday and i had a lot of fun! I don't really think there's a need for a LUG specifically for teens, you can probably participate in normal LUG activities fine too.

[dr_spock]

Are you still in school? You could try starting an after school club there. The school may provide a room to meet. I don't recommend inviting complete strangers into your home.

If you only want hardcode members, the easy thing might be to find them and invite them personally. A public invitation may net you a lot of people who might think they are hardcore but may not meet your expectations or criteria.

If you're under 18, you may need a member in the club who can legally and willing to sign for things like a library room rental and stuff like that.

[houstonproductions1]

Are you still in school? You could try starting an after school club there. The school may provide a room to meet. I don't recommend inviting complete strangers into your home.

If you only want hardcode members, the easy thing might be to find them and invite them personally. A public invitation may net you a lot of people who might think they are hardcore but may not meet your expectations or criteria.

If you're under 18, you may need a member in the club who can legally and willing to sign for things like a library room rental and stuff like that.

Well actually, I homeschool, so not much to be said in that regard. As to personally asking people...well, that'd be great, but I don't know enough people to ask. I was thinking maybe more like a poll/form on the website for the group, that they would have to fill out and get approved to join the group...thoughts?

[jodawill]

Well actually, I homeschool, so not much to be said in that regard. As to personally asking people...well, that'd be great, but I don't know enough people to ask. I was thinking maybe more like a poll/form on the website for the group, that they would have to fill out and get approved to join the group...thoughts?

TexLUG will let you attend their events as long as you're accompanied by an adult. You could at least attend one meeting so you can ask the local guys whether they know of any other teens who'd be able to join your club.

http://www.texlug.org/

[dr_spock]

You can try to reach out to DixieLUG in Atlanta. Are you part of any group like a church? That could also be a place to drum up members. People may know people and all that social network stuff.