What Do Kids Really Need?
Believe it or not, the local drum corp was not always seen as the coolest activity for a kid to do where I grew up. As a result, we did seem to get quite a range of children involved in the activity. Some form very affluent homes who had a genuine love for the activity. And then there were others, whose parents seemed to view it as a way to unload their kids (and their problems) for long periods of time. My dad the director never turned any kid away, but at times seemed to be running a foster care business. He was a well respected teacher as a career, and other adults and teachers marveled (with some confusion) as to why he would want to spend even more time with kids after hours. I think, he just genuinely loved kids, and the activity of drum corp. That's what kids really need. A role model that treats them with respect, demands respect from them, and shows them how to be passionate about something in life.
