Who may participate: The ball is open to all, ages 13 and up. For more explanation on this policy, please read the rationale below for the age limit.
Observers: Anyone 13 years and older may come and observe (at no charge). We ask that everyone, a participant or an observer, be a minimum of 13 years of age. At least one parent/guardian of every non-adult participant must be on the premises at all times to supervise their children. Observers do not need to be in costume, however, please be modest.
Children under 13: Children under 13 may only come to the dance class in the morning, to observe only, but not to dance in the class. There are to be no children under 13 at the ball in the evening. We understand that many families have younger brothers/sisters who would love to see the ball, and that babysitting can be a major expense; still, this is our policy for the reasons below.
Ball Minimum Age Limit Policy Rationale:
by Ronnie McKay, founder of our Centennial Ball
The rationale for this policy is rooted in our vision for the ball. First, we wanted to host/participate in a special dance event for teenagers, similar to a prom, since there was so few available for home school teens. We also desired that our dance would be just plain clean fun for teens and their families who didn’t want to worry about the issues of modesty, rock music, inappropriate dances/movements, nor the whole guy/girl dating issue. The historic period from 1860-1876 seemed to answer all of these issues, since it was from a more formal time period without modern concerns.
Next, we needed to make a decision on the matter of the lowest age that a youth could be to participate. We decided to go with 13 years. We also looked around the community and found a plethora of father/daughter dances for young children, but nothing devoted to home school teens. Our desire was for this to be a special event just for teens, akin to getting their driver's license, receiving the right to vote, and earning a graduation ceremony. It is something like a rite of passage, of which we have too few in our society. We also wanted to only have older kids, because there is a level of maturity, as far as conversational skills and coordination goes, that comes with teens, but isn't quite as devolved with younger children. Physical variations were another concern. Our youngest son has been over 6' 3'' since he was 13 years old and it is difficult for him to dance with a short child.
Problems then arose when numerous families, over the years, have asked for exceptions to our minimum age limit policy, especially if their child looked older or taller than the average 13 year old or who was very close to our minimum age. Also, many parents complained when they saw students who appeared to be younger than the age limit and then asked why that child (who actually did meet the age limit but just looked young) was allowed to dance when their child was not. The same was true of under-aged observers, as I had scores of parents asking why their young child couldn’t watch. In fact, I have been asked if younger and younger children could observe, all the way down to five years old. The ball would then become a babysitting event. I know of no high school prom which would allow elementary children to come and watch.
It may seem hard to believe, but most difficult part of organizing and running the entire ball is dealing with this issue. It consumes more of our time than all other areas of the ball combined. Not only is this issue time consuming, but many parents either get very upset with me or just decide to go against our policy. It is difficult for me to both dance and enjoy the ball, while at the same time, policing the facility for younger children. When I do see young children, I ask the parents to take them out, but I can't be everywhere at the same time.
This is such a tough issue, especially as everyone wants an exception for their child. The problem is, if we make one exception, then I have to make another, and another, and yet another, and the ball ceases to be a special event just for teenagers. The atmosphere, vision, and purpose are then completely changed. We have to draw the line somewhere, or else the age will continue to go lower and lower, with each successive family wanting an exception. Every area of life has limits/rules, which serve the specific purpose of that activity.
In an attempt to solve this problem, the minimum age is 13, hoping that by this age, most of the kids participating would have already reached puberty and look more their age. We have also instituted an honor code in the registration process so that we would be assured, as much as is possible when dealing with the human race, that the students who register really are 13.
Please hear my heart and try to understand the position we are in. This is a heart breaking position for me, as I hear every family’s story and I understand their predicament, but I still have to say no. Please do not ask me to make an exception for your family. Thank you.