Need advice regarding a "city boy" coming to rural property

[JasperFrank]

Bon Fire! Yet the most fun, would be driving "Off Road." There is something magical about this to a 15 year old that has only traveled on public streets. Most fun I ever had as a camp counselor, was letting them drive, some driving for the first time, out in an open field with no designated lanes.

 

[milkman636]

That makes a lot of sense. I'm trying to build a list I will have in the "back pocket." As I learn more about his capabilities, I can pull appropriate things from the list to do.

The sawmill is a manual bandsaw mill. Anything with a spinning blade is a risk but I'd rate it on the low side of the scale. Lots of physical labor involved-- his mom tells me he can bench press 300# pounds at age 15-- so this might be a way to wear him out.

One of these will help develop the shoulders, back, core and forearms too. Splitting with one was my favorite part of growing up with wood heat.

 

[CliffordK]

Some of the nieces later had boyfriends that couldn’t drive a stick…

One was away at University and she drive a friends stick home… out of about a dozen people she was the only one that could drive as her friend had a cast on.

 

[Molalla1]

That makes a lot of sense. I'm trying to build a list I will have in the "back pocket." As I learn more about his capabilities, I can pull appropriate things from the list to do.

The sawmill is a manual bandsaw mill. Anything with a spinning blade is a risk but I'd rate it on the low side of the scale. Lots of physical labor involved-- his mom tells me he can bench press 300# pounds at age 15-- so this might be a way to wear him out.

He must be a petty stout lad!

 

[K5lwq]

Most kids that have been here have gotten a kick of me cracking a bull whip. They are amazed how loud it is when done right. They will try for hours learning how to make it crack.

 

[California]

Some of the nieces later had boyfriends that couldn’t drive a stick…

One was away at University and she drive a friends stick home… out of about a dozen people she was the only one that could drive as her friend had a cast on.

Younger Daughter arrived at the ranch to pick up some inherited furniture - driving a U-Haul box truck. She said her Prius-owning boyfriend wouldn't consider driving it the 150 miles round trip, mostly in SF Bay Area traffic starting from near SFO. She's fearless.

Both daughters learned to drive, and passed their first license test, in the 5 speed Trooper we had at the time. We've tried to raise them right.

 

[Jstpssng]

Most kids that have been here have gotten a kick of me cracking a bull whip. They are amazed how loud it is when done right. They will try for hours learning how to make it crack.

Never done it, but I have broken fish hooks on my backswing when trying to fly fish.
Same principle I guess.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I like the driving dirt bike, sxs, shoot guns, cruising the roads, spending time with you. I would ask him if there is anything he'd like to try or do while out there. I also like the neighbors daughter introduction...

 

[California]

Mom described all the cousins spending summers at her parents' 100 acre ranch with endless opportunities for adventure, then going back to their urban homes, as like 'pouring milk back into a bottle'.

I also spent time at my other grandparents' place, the inherited orchard I own now. I learned roofing, carpentry, plumbing, wiring, etc etc helping keep up this ancient and simple house. Also tractor driving, working for a neighbor in harvest season.

Kids today seldom have these learning opportunities. Put that kid on a backhoe or something where he can apply his game-controller expertise to the real world.

But don't under-estimate the risk to someone who has no safety instinct at all. I've had a guest fall off a harvest ladder from reaching too far, luckily only 2.5 ft from the ground. And someone who wanted to impress me describing his friend's full size chainsaw - who was grossly incompetent with the 12 inch Ryobi battery saw. Or who jackknifed and bent the tongue on my trailer trying to back it. Not everybody has the instincts we take for granted.

 

[ultrarunner]

Nephew became a good equipment operator at the farm age 12 to 20 now works in Manhattan New York.

Some of his colleagues are true city dwellers never having a driver's license.

Nephew said simple things amaze them... like running a dozer, hunting, bleeding a well pump, setting up a generator and of course time in the saddle...

To them he is a California cowboy in the flesh... yet he is nowhere near a cowboy even though the farm had cows, sheep and pigs...

I'm betting he has a bright future...

 

[garry1p]

A few years ago I started making trails through the wooded areas now the grand-kids loving visiting driving the JD Gator through the trails, driving the tractor, target practice and the ones to young for drivers license get to drive the truck around the open field.
We also planted a vineyard one year, they thought it was really hard work but enjoyed it now they trim the vines enjoy the muscadines and take some home with them.
We also have bonfires at night.

 

[CliffordK]

What kind of livestock do you have?

There is always riding horses. And if no horses, perhaps try riding the tamest steer that you have.

And if no tame steers, perhaps see how long the kid can stay on the back of a 200+ pound pig. Just make sure there is a nearby manure pile for a soft landing.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I taught all the kids to drive my F150 with stick shift around age 12 to 13 at the farm.

Being 4wd and in low range they got an easy intro into clutch throttle coordination.

Some of the nieces later had boyfriends that couldn’t drive a stick…

One was away at University and she drive a friends stick home… out of about a dozen people she was the only one that could drive as her friend had a cast on.

I've taught several young ladies how to drive stick. 1990 Cummins with a 5 speed. "Just concentrate on letting the clutch out slowly. Don't worry about coordinating the throttle until you get going." Works every time and in short order they can switch to a gas engine.

 

[scootr]

I learned to drive in cow pastures, stick shift of course - sounds like great fun

 

[ultrarunner]

I learned to double clutch on a 1959 bug.

My Model A was in process and knowing how to double clutch became a valuable skill.

 

[oosik]

I would really hesitate on any sharp, spinning equipment. Accidents WILL happen before anybody can stop them.

My son, and a friend of his, come out and help me with one of my major projects. Thinning my pine stands.

The steps - identify the trees - fell the trees - drag to several central piles - chip the trees. I thin 800 to 1200 small pines - every couple years.

Son and friend are both in their mid-40's. I will do the first two steps. The two guys will do step three and four. Step four - obviously the most fun. They get to drive my tractor and use the big 'ol Wallenstein chipper.

I trust nobody else with one of my chainsaws. It can happen all so fast and it's a 45 minute drive to the nearest medical help.

 

[plowhog]

I learned to drive in cow pastures, stick shift of course - sounds like great fun

I have a Ford F800 truck with dump bed. I have had my wife slowly creep it down the driveway while I am in back with a chain saw and pole saw trimming both sides of the driveway for large vehicle clearance.

I'm sure he'd love to drive it. The F800 is a beast, stick shift, and the good news is you never even hit 5mph on the driveway job. Plus he would have to back it up 1/4 mile to get it home.

 

[dodge man]

I’d say probably do some things and get a feel for what he would like. Everything he does needn’t be fun but you don’t want it to be a negative experience either. You will know it was a positive experience if he wants to come back.

 

[Egon]

Just make sure the proper safety devices are there for him to use!

 

[Bansil]

Sounds fun, you have plenty of "stuff" to do....feel it out, when your showing him around at first, walk by "whatever" that's xyz, ever driven one? Want to?
This is where we xyz....ever tried it? Want to?

This exposes every day things/chores and gives him a chance to choose what he wants to try.....

Then? Put his ass to work the next morning

The last bit was pure fun....but really? Show him "cool
" non city stuff and see how he reacts, good luck and post updates