What if we were to give the scope away, as usual, and schedule a time right then, to have the recipient come back to have a "one on one" training session with SLAS member. That member could teach them how to set it up, use a dot finder and teach them how to use a basic star chart or, better yet, one of Brent's books.. I am also a proponent of getting a better scope and giving away fewer. Once the recipient has just enough knowledge to get by, they may feel much more comfortable using it by themselves, or coming to a star party and asking questions. Jo On Wednesday, December 4, 2013, Dale Wilson wrote:
Wayne,
You misunderstand what I mean. It isnt teaching a kid that makes it a job. Its the "making them earn" the scope via instruction is what does it. Honestly, when we give scopes away, there should be slas volunteers who would offer help in setting it up the first time. I am really commenting on how we as people take something so simple and wonderful and make a complicated mess out of it. Im on your side Wayne. I love helping newbies get going. Like you, it gives me a great sense of contribution to teach what astronomy can offer.
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