I would like to thank IPMS for the great contribution to Red River Scale Modeler’s first ever make & take event.  We must also thank the East Grand Forks Campbell library for taking an interest in our beloved hobby and asking us to host the event as part of “Professor Marvel’s - Marvel’s at the Library” summer activities program.  We had initially agreed on 32 attendants.  Upon registering kids, the event was bumped up to 40 attendants with a waiting list!  We had two rooms set up with models - one for 20 kids ages 6-8 (kindergarten to 2nd grade) and the other with 20 kids ages 9-11 (third to fifth grade).  Fortunately, the library has employees and youth volunteers that were able to assist with the younger crowd!   

Our club president Chuck Bush, and our Vice President Tom Kavanaugh worked in the 9-11 year old room.  I personally took the 6-8 year old crowd as I have children in that same age range.  The younger kids I had were all very interested and excited in the projects they had, and there was no arguing about what each got.  They immediately went to work, and to my surprise, some did very well with minimal, or no help at all following the instructions having never built a model before.  If a volunteer or myself was not available, they would help each other out graciously, which is something nice to see that the hobby promotes.  The other benefits learned through this hobby were to overcome/solve a problem (the F117 Stealth wing kit had an issue), patience to progress through a step-by-step process rather than instant gratification, and the process of seeing something through to the end and completing a project.  There were lots of smiles when the kit was together and the stickers went on!  

One other bright spot at the end of the day was a gentleman picking up his son began to recall building airplanes in his youth and would like to start back up again.  Our club president and myself talked with him and gave him our information, along with IPMS info to join.  It’s a great day when you can get someone’s interest back to the hobby. Thus proving that a make & take is not just for getting the younger generation interested, but regenerating interest in the adults.  

I have posted pics on our club’s website and on the IPMS Forum under PHOTOS.  Tom’s wife, Bonnie, was also in attendance at our make & take, and took many pictures throughout the day which I am anxiously awaiting to see, and will add to the rest of the photos when I get them.  Myself and my fellow club members had a wonderful time, and we can only hope to do it again next year!   

Best Regards,

Mike Hoekstra
Red River Scale Modelers
IPMS# 46528