Future junior bow trade format - please discuss

[stuckinthemud]

So, the 2025 junior bow trade is about to wrap up and will have taken nearly a year start to finish.  This is not a bad thing, the junior trade was set up to be an easy going, no pressure learning experience, giving all the participants the best chance to build/ push themselves/experiment with new techniques.  I always run on the ohana principal - no-one dispatches until everyone is done, which means there's no need for an emergency bow when someone has to pull out - life gets difficult sometimes and things can derail the process, even for the admin...Anyway, what do you all think about the format for this year's junior trade, I would welcome feedback before I launch the 2026 trade. Come one, come all, please, past participants future participants, interested observers, let me know.
Andrew

[Jim Davis]

I'd like to see a sticky outlining the guidelines/standards to be met: size? weight? trade principle?

I didn't look into the idea till last fall and couldn't find a single thing about it other than reports of progress or lack  thereof...

[Robert Pougnier]

I'd like to participate for 2026, and would also love some more info on format etc....

How does this work? It seems like a fun trade, are there other similar trades? Is there a "senior" or regular one too?

[superdav95]

I’ll let sleek answer your question Robert but as for the regular bow trade I participated in last few and they were run by kidder.  Not sure if they are a thing or not still.  I myself enjoyed them even though there were some hiccups as was always the case I think.  As for me I would be willing to participate in another if started up again.  The last one I recall was 2024-2025. 

[stuckinthemud]

I think a sticky is a great idea.

I set up the junior trade to give an opportunity for novice builders to join in a trade as a stepping stone to the main trade.  It was clear that people were insecure about going straight in to the PA Trade as they felt, rightly or wrongly, that they weren't good/experienced enough.  Fortunately some amazing builders joined the junior trade for a variety of reasons and some novices received both technical advice and a great bow from these generous souls. Amazing.  The junior trade is entirely about encouraging and developing skills and confidence. About mutual support.  Nobody ships until everyone finishes, regardless of how long that takes.  The only criteria is you build the best bow you can AT THE TIME. We all accept it's the best you can do.  You may be on bow number three, or bow 303, but we remember what our third how was like and the support we would have liked to have received and value the bow we get as a friend 's best effort.

[stuckinthemud]

The format is: participants sign up with draw weight, draw length, and hand (left or right).  That's it, style timber, bow length are all up to the builder.  Let's face it, we can all build a bow for ourselves, so this is a surprise gift from a friend.  Everyone gets a random person to build for exactly like in a Secret Santa - it's a circle not a partnership.  When everyone finishes (or withdraws) everyone ships together.  This means that should someone suffer a disaster and withdraw, we can adjust the trade and there's no needfor anyone to build a spare emergency bow. 

[Robert Pougnier]

I think that sounds like a great idea and I like the format!

[sleek]

I’ll let sleek answer your question Robert but as for the regular bow trade I participated in last few and they were run by kidder.  Not sure if they are a thing or not still.  I myself enjoyed them even though there were some hiccups as was always the case I think.  As for me I would be willing to participate in another if started up again.  The last one I recall was 2024-2025.

Honestly, I really like this trade more than the other. I think this junior trade represents the spirit of this community and advances its cause more so than a trade among the more advanced members. Its why ive decided to participate in the junior trades only when I join into a trade.

[JW_Halverson]

I’ll let sleek answer your question Robert but as for the regular bow trade I participated in last few and they were run by kidder.  Not sure if they are a thing or not still.  I myself enjoyed them even though there were some hiccups as was always the case I think.  As for me I would be willing to participate in another if started up again.  The last one I recall was 2024-2025.

Honestly, I really like this trade more than the other. I think this junior trade represents the spirit of this community and advances its cause more so than a trade among the more advanced members. Its why ive decided to participate in the junior trades only when I join into a trade.

Originally, there was but ONE trade and it was run annually, and the rules varied depending on who stepped up to run the trade. But the spirit of that trade was always welcoming to anyone of any skill level. The True Spirit of the trade was about how good a bow YOU could turn out and send as a gift to someone else. However, it seemed every so often someone would get butt hurt that they got a bow they felt was beneath them. I helped run the trade now and again, and one individual TWO YEARS RUNNING claimed they received a broken bow and demanded immediate replacement. In both situations he claimed 1) he'd thrown it away, or 2) had already fixed it, but still demanded another bow. Far as I am concerned I'd never do a trade with him again, I'd ban him from all future trades, and3) nominate him to be added to Mullet's Dirty Secret Black Book (a place no one wants to be).

A vast majority of the people in the trades understood the mission and it was a source of many fantastic threads posting pics and videos of the bows being taken out to the range or hunting, etc. But some people felt intimidated and felt more comfortable doing a "junior" bow trade in order to take the pressure off. And that's perfectly cool.

[Robert Pougnier]

It's unfortunate that there have been issues as you mentioned. I imagine it's normal for hiccups to happen since everyone is only human, but I would hope most people do their best to follow through, be honest etc....

I don't find the "junior" title off putting in the slightest. I was just curious. I am still new to PA and have only been catching the tail end of last years junior trade thread.

Thanks to the folks who are taking the time to organize this and for supporting and facilitating the whole process!

[Aaron1726]

I think the format is fine, I've really enjoied this trade the last 2 years.  I just enjoy building bows and getting to build one for someone else is quite rewarding.  Thanks again for setting this up.  I'll be doing it again this year!

[Wallski]

I concur with Aaron, and enjoy the surprise at the end.   I really do appreciate Stickinthemud for hosting this build!

[stuckinthemud]

I get a lot of satisfaction from being involved with PA. trades.  Before Kidder took on the PA Trade, I ran it for a couple of years, but there were always a few who posted words to the effect of "I'd love to join in but I don't think I'm good enough".  It was for this reason I suggested a junior trade and here we are, on year three.  I have a great deal of admiration for Kidder and co, as I know from experience that running the main trade is a big ask and I would be really saddened if no-one took it on for 2026