The Youth Section meets on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 10 a.m. until about noon. This Section is designed for children from 5 to 17 years old. They are taught concepts in earth science, shop and tool safety, and lapidary skills under the supervision of experienced youth leaders and a shop foreman. As with all of our Sections, you are welcome to visit the Section before you join. Membership currently is $25.00 a year. Parents must be present to supervise their children during the entire session. This is not a babysitting group.

Activities during the first hour of each meeting can include making rock critters, jewel tree construction, bead work, and other jewelry design. Children are then allowed into the workshop to create individual projects under the watchful eyes of the shop supervisors. Eye and clothing protection are provided. Click here to see photos of Youth members working in the shop during June 2005. Photos by Matthew Phillips.

The Youth Section also is active at the annual show in the Youth Section Booth. This interactive area contains games, experiments, and lessons that allow children to explore the earth sciences and to win rock, mineral, and lapidary prizes.