Fair or not age discrimination

[aerialriver]

I applied at a t&t camp to be a counselor, on the application it said you needed to be 18 it stated no upper age limit. They do now allow campers over 18 so I couldn't do that but they do allow older counselors who do receive training. I went though everything to apply only to have the guy ask how old I was when I told him 28 he told me he had decided to cap the age off at 21 because too many former counselors were wanting to return year after year and he wanted to give new people a chance. Thing is I have never been a counselor there so I didn't find it fair and I kindly asked and he did not reply to my e-mail.

Fast forward to a couple of days ago some random guy messages me on facebook saying he got my counselor application but they needed my date of birth and USAG number so I gave it to him thinking they had re-thought the age cap only for him to reply that that had enacted a cutoff age of 23 this year. I am angry I feel like I got led on and I am curious as to why his age cutoff number did not match the one in the e-mail.

Anyways long story short, they state this is the only official USAG T&T camp, who mandates age caps? Is it allowed if they are connected to USAG? The counselor position is not a paid position it is done in exchange for free lodging, food and training. I also let the guy in charge know I am a level 9 athlete in good shape and he could speak to my coach as I can seriously understand not wanting a 400 pound level 1 person with heart failure killing over at your camp.

Anyways I know I don't have any way to dispute it further unless USAG has some rule, plus it is obvious the guy doesn't want me, so I don't want to go where I am unwelcome but I want your honest opinions on what you think of the situation.

I know there are some who do not agree with adults training especially higher levels but many high level t&t athletes are in their 20's and even 30's so why are there no opportunities for adults to get high level training? I have to add he did offer for me to come as a coach, but I don’t really coach and have no interest in it plus you have to pay to go as a coach. I know the old saying “if you can’t do, coach.” But I can do and want to still do and am tiring of people trying to cram coaching down my throat.

I wanted to post this in Adults but I thought I might get more replies here.

 

[coachmolly]

I'm not sure of any rules or anything, but it seems pretty silly to me. I would be upset if I were in your shoes. If they want to enact some kind of upper age limit, it really should be marked on the application. My other thought is that it is a position working with children, they should be choosing the applicant who is best qualified and will provide the best care for the children they will be overseeing, not because an applicant is a high level athlete, likely to compete internationally, bring a big name or cool skills to the camp, etc. But I guess this shows where the camps priorities are.

 

[Aussie_coach]

It does seem silly, why even have an upper age limit of training? You should be able to go as a camper if you are a level 9 T&T athlete then it would be logical.

Tramp and tumbling is actually an excellent sport for older adults, at 28 you are by no means an older adult at all.

 

[emorymom]

As a parent -- I would not want to send my kid to that camp. Only concern should be quality of staff. That's what parents are paying for. I don't get the "forced inexperience" nonsense.