Anyone else offended by student "sponsor me" pleas?

[barkley]

i went to get the kids at school and got hit up by two classmates to sponsor them for some conference they want to attend out of state (not school related just something they have hooked up with privatly).

i have no problem doing sponsorships for bike a thons, car wash a thons or the like (where the kid actualy has to put effort forth and usualy the money goes to something school related) but i think it's out of line when a kid wants to attend cheer/sports camp or "leadership conference" or someother extra curricular and they are simply looking for help footing the bill.

if my child wanted to participate in something that was an outside activity or event and i could'nt afford it (or felt it was something that they should have to contribute towards) i would never allow them to solicit friends, family, neighbors, teachers to donate money for these purposes (i would'nt have a problem letting family members know that they prefered a birthday check towards it vs. a gift card because the money would have gone to them either way).

but i am offended when i get hit up for the senior trip (like that trip to hawaii has any educational purpose ), dance camp, or the worst i've encountered so far-"modeling" (a friend's daughter was enrolled in modeling classes and wanted to go to all of the shows, seminars, "fashion week" special event in new york-we got solicited with stuff preprinted by the "modeling school" to sponsor hotel accommodations, meals, seminar fees, tourism opportunites (theatre tickets, tour charges), cmon-i am not paying for your kid's leisure activities.

seems like alot of stuff is marketed to kids and parents with "don't worry about the cost you can get sponsors to help pay".

 

[Beth76]

Ew. They do stuff like this? That's just not ok. I would never expect anyone to "sponsor" a trip for my child.

 

[soccerchick]

Yes - I'm offended by the tactics. I don't "sponsor" other kids. I have two of my own to pay for thank you.

My biggest peeve with this is the sports teams who sit outside the grocery store trying to sell discount cards to restaurants, etc. and they ask "Do you want to sponsor my soccer/baseball/insert whatever team here?" No, sorry, but I don't. Can someone PLEASE teach these kids some marketing skills instead of begging? How hard is to ask "How'd you like to save 20% at Moe's and Pizza whatever?" That might mean something to me.

 

[doxdogy]

It would offend me too. If I had school age children there is no way I would allow them to solicit help from family and friends for a trip.

 

[EthansMom]

I would have no problem with any young person that I know asking if there might be some work around the house they could do for me in order to make some extra money towards extracurricular activities.

But, like the OP, I don't care for the "begging". Afterall, when someone asks for money in exchange for no work, that is called begging, isn't it?

Of course, I don't even like most of the money raiser sales things that many schools do, either.

 

[Stacerita]

I dont believe in the get something for nothing attitude. If you want me to sponsor you, you best believe that you will be doing something for that sponsorship. I dont hand out money. Not even to my own kid. When the sweetpea asks for money or for me to pay something for her.....i say "Sure, and when we get home the trash needs to be taken out, or the laundry needs to be separated." That way she knows its a earned something. .If they are doing somehing like the OP stated such as a walk a thon or car wash, Or if its pledging for a "cause" then thats a different story. But asking me to pay for a trip just for you to go....nope. Haven't these kids ever heard of "there is no such thing as a free lunch"?

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

I was at the grocery store the other day and this guy was hawking our local paper (which I only buy on Sunday for the coupons so I didn't need or want a full week) to.. get this.... help him go to college. He "only needs 10 more" to get some grant or something. I looked at him and said I'm sorry, I work full time and have $15k in student loans to go to school. I can't afford to help put you through school too. Take out a loan.

"Sponsering" doesn't offend me, it does bug me though.

 

[canwegosoon]

ITA with you.

 

[DisneyGirl]

That's ridiculous. All it teaches kids is that if you ask enough, you never have to work a day in your life becuase people will just give you stuff.

It's one thing to wash a car for a donation-- you are WORKING, and you get rewarded for your work. Kids today need to learn that they can't count on handouts, and have to work for what they want!

 

[barkley]

interesting-thought i might be flamed for taking this position.

i think i may be viewed as the "skin flint" in dh's family for this position. i have staunchly refused to sponsor his nephews and neices who go on "christian missionary" trips to russia, south america and europe to "build churches". my thought is-"the $100 you are asking me to front to cover your travel and meals could be much better spent providing that same overseas child with medical care, shelter and food. just because you WANT to travel there and witness your "good works" first hand does'nt justify my financial support".

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

My daughter has been invited to a summer medical explorer-type program that lasts a week this summer. She is truly interested in becoming a physician. But finances will be tight this year because my husband is retiring from the military with no job offer in sight.

We will opt not to send her rather than ask family members to help sponsor her.

But think about this. What about the truly smart kids with no financial resources who never get this type of opportunity? I think they deserve to go. If you have a problem with sponsoring a student to do something like that, just politely decline. Don't make an issue of it.

But for any other reason, if this particular kid came to ask for money for a Coke at a ballgame, would you give it to him/her? If so, then give a dollar. If not, then don't worry about it.

 

[barkley]

My daughter has been invited to a summer medical explorer-type program that lasts a week this summer. She is truly interested in becoming a physician. But finances will be tight this year because my husband is retiring from the military with no job offer in sight.

We will opt not to send her rather than ask family members to help sponsor her.

But think about this. What about the truly smart kids with no financial resources who never get this type of opportunity? I think they deserve to go. If you have a problem with sponsoring a student to do something like that, just politely decline. Don't make an issue of it.

But for any other reason, if this particular kid came to ask for money for a Coke at a ballgame, would you give it to him/her? If so, then give a dollar. If not, then don't worry about it.

i've known several of these truly smart kids who wanted to attend these types of things-many opt to find jobs or fundraising mechanisms (car washes, valentine day balloon deliveries to classmates and the like)-they did not approach people for sponsorships. i know personaly one young lady who graduated valedictorian of her high school with a clear intent to become a pediatrician. she was solicited to participate in the types of programs you mention-her family was not financialy such that they could send her. she did not go. she seemed not to suffer any negative consequences, in fact she is in her jr year at Cornell University with a modest scholarship to supplement the monies she earns during school breaks and over the summer.

i am far more likely to assist a student (truly smart or otherwise) who is attempting to raise funds for an educational pursuit that will benefit them-my issue is with purely extracurricular activities that students attend purely for their own enjoyment. the program i was approached about today was little more than an opportunity for 2 8th graders to go to a hotel, attend a couple of "team building" and "leadership" seminars with the remaining time devoted to touring the local attractions (and since the 2 girls that approached me have never shown any inclination to be leaders-in fact their behaviour stands out as fairly inappropriate, i am inclined to believe that they view this as "a cool trip away from mom and dad-AND IT GETS US OUT OF SCHOOL!".

i DO NOT make an issue out of it, i politely decline-however my expereience with these types of solicitations is that the students are trained to "sell" the person on the program and question over and over what is wrong with the program that a person is unwilling to support it. at that point i feel it is harrassing and walk away.

 

[aprilgail2]

I have never been asked to sponser a kid for any of that but I would not do it. If my daughter has a senior trip etc then I should be the one paying for it..she should not be out there begging others to do it...if they can't afford it themselves then they shouldn't expect other people to finance their way. I have my own kid to pay for, I am not helping some other one too! Heck my daughters summer camp costs me 500.00 a week..should I send her out there asking people to each sponser a week for her to go?? No way..if I coudn't afford it she just wouldn't go.

 

[Marseeya]

I've never heard of that really. I mean, around here, kids at dance studios will ask businesses to sponsor them, and then the business gets an ad written up in the programs (which is a little bit of something for their money).

When I was a kid I was in the band and we had to pay for band camp every summer. The band director would find ways for the poor kids to go, but some of them still had to come up with some of the money. One year, one of my friends held bake sales and I helped them out. My mom was so mad at me because there I was working for someone else to go, but she was paying for me out of her own pocket. It was funny then, but I see her point now.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Marseeya, it was the same thing with us in advanced chorus. We went and participated in Magic Music Disney Days every year (it does not get any cooler than singing in WDW!). We all did fundraisers and whatnot to help with the expense.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

It wouldn't necessarily offend me, but it does bother me. Like someone else said, it's the whole "get something for nothing" attitude -- sort of like they are entitled to go on these trips and friends, neighbors and even complete strangers should pay for it. I just don't get it.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I will not sponsor a kid to go on a trip to Europe. If he wants to go get a job or get the parents to pay. Not my job and no money from me. I will buy pizza from the band type of stuff but that is as far a I will go.

 

[Cass]

Does anyone want to sponser my next trip to Disney?

It is strictly for educational purposes

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

When I was in elementary and middle school we had a few class trips that were rather expensive. These trips were actually educational but they were around $500. We were told that we could sell candy to help reduce the cost. Everyone in town knew why we were doing it and most bought at least one box of M&M's. So if I see kids selling some candy to help pay for their trip, sure I'll buy a candy bar. I had a blast on those trips and the kids (usually ages 9-12) should experience them too.

Lately I've had high school kids or older come knocking on my door asking me for money to pay for their basketball/soccer/whatever camp. They aren't even selling anything. I'm sorry, no! And they never brings papers to show you about the camp. They just come by with a box and ask you for money. I don't think so.

 

[RC Fan]

These days it has become acceptable to canvass for donations for EVERYTHING. I don't feel it is right either.