Sharpies/Spray Paint

[prettysocks]

So.. My city - London, Ontario, Canada - decided last night that the selling of permanent markers and spray paint to minors (under 18) is an inforcable by-law. :speechles We're the first city to have this by-law, and it's a stab to try and decrease the amount of "offensive graffiti" in London. I'm 18 and I don't really care, but I still think it's a class-a stupid idea! :D

My question for you: Do you, as camp counselors, or other camp staff, use eithr spray paint or Sharpie (parmanent) markers for anything at camp?

We use them for marking the kids' stuff. Everything from underwear and socks, to their shampoo and deodorant, to their clothes and suitcase/bag. We need Sharpies!!! ;)

[KiwiCRB]

We aren't allowed to buy that kind of thing if we're under 18 but I don't think we would get in trouble with the law for it. As long as you look close to 18 the clerks really don't care, though I have been carded a few times.

[Pooka]

Heheh. So it's only offensive graffiti, prettysocks? Makes me wonder if constructive or uplifting graffiti is allowed, then...

I think that every human over the age of, say, twelve, needs a Sharpie. They're one of the things I always have in my camp bag. We use them for writing on the stuff kids buy at the Trading Post (and still sooo many water bottles and stuffed animals get left behind), for marking stuff going up to the units, and labeling craft projects. Spray paint is occasionally used to mark trails.

My part of WNY won't let me (and other minors, of course) buy matches and superglue. Superglue I understand, but c'mon-- matches? Jeez.

[Sparkes]

Wow. You can't buy sharpies under 18? Intense. We don't really have a grafetti problem - the stuff thats around is just downtown, and it kinda adds to its charm.

And I live for sharpies at camp.

[gremlin_c]

Sharpies are one of the most useful things I bring to camp. I have a pack of 12 sharpies, all different colours, that always comes to camp with me. I never heard of anywhere making it illeagal to buy sharpies, but i come from a small town.
I think it would be pretty funny to be approached by a minor and have them ask if i could go in and buy them a pack of sharpies.

[speedx5xracer]

I use sharpies for alot of things while im home and at camp. As well as spray paint. I understand why they would ban the sale to minors, but im opposed to it on the basis of a free market.

All my CD's that I burn are labeled with sharpies, my note books for classses, and inside of expensive text books that i cant sell back. Since im at school in a city most of the the time there is graffiti on buildings that are not affiliated w. my UNI but are a result of locals (read poor/ghetto). But i have 3 different types of spray paint in my garage at home, one is automotive spray to fix up my car if it gets scratched too bad, the second is water proof for use on the boats at my camp, the third is the normal one which at one point i used of buildings. But it doesnt matter what age you are most of the people i know that still tag are over the age of 18.

[facade1138]

I use sharpies constantly in and out of camp...there great for making lists during Girl Planning or marking kids stuff with.

[who_stole_my_loofa]

A lot of cities and states have that rule. You can own/carry those items, just not purchase them. You would be surprised to see some other things on the "no buy if under 18" list. Things like sticky tack, rubber cement, sharpies, spray paint etc. They ask for an ID or you have to be with an adult. Some of the 'no buy' rules are because of things like graffiti or 'kids using sharpies to get high' but a good amount of items have to do with producing homemade meth. I don't know that I agree or disagree- it is a hastle to have to show ID or bring a parent along to allow the purchase- but I'm over 18 so it doesn't really affect me anymore. But I do love love love sharpies!

[prettysocks]

I think it would be pretty funny to be approached by a minor and have them ask if i could go in and buy them a pack of sharpies.

I'm doubtful that that would happen, though. ;) Yes, teens ask older kids to buy alcohol and cig's for them, but that's because they are hard to steal. It's tough to conceal a case of beer under your shirt, and cigs are behind the counter in Canada. Markers are just in the aisles of a hundred million stores, so anyone could take the packaging or barcode sticker off it and shove it in their pocket. Someone mentioned (a friend of mine), "is London going to reimburse all the money stores will lose because of marker/spraypaint thefts? Like, c'mon London government, I know some teens are stupid - but now markers and spray paint are FORBIDDEN items.. and they shouldn't be, in my opinion. :D

[camper]

i've never heard of this law before, it's interesting though. at camp we use sharpies a lot, and the kids aren't supposed to have spraypaint because people used to use it to write on bunks, now only the old bunks can be written on because they are being redone so the number of bunks that are old is dwindling.

[campnerd99]

I use sharpies all the time. Not just at camp, even when I'm home the solution to anything is duct tape or a sharpie.

[KiwiCRB]

White out pens are even on the restricted list. Come on guys... they don't even work half the time, how the heck are you going to get enough out to get high?

[Lilbit88]

I always use Shapries-at camp, home and school...but I do agree that law is interesting

[rockinsmiles]

I must be one of the few people who doesn't get the big deal with sharpies. I was actually looking for one today though to write on a CD and could only find 2 in our entire house. At camp we normally just use them at the craft shelter. However, I bring along one of those "rub-a-dub" pens to sign like shirts and stuff...I guess I kind of use it like a sharpie...I just don't use em on paper and stuff cuz I hate how it bleeds through. Oh and that is a very interesting rule, never have I heard of it.

[Fallen]

I always need sharpies. At work we need them and at camp they can come in handy. I am not surprised that some places are making it illegal for kids under18 to get them because of how some people use them to get high.

Kiwi, it doesnt' matter if the whiteout comes out or not the smell still gets through. All you have to do is put it close enough to your nose and inhale for it to work.

[Kerrbear]

I for one LOVE sharpies, they are so important at camp! I also get the pack of many colours, they're a hot item at our camp! The last day or so the staff like to write their name and year in the backrooms. I love it, I think staff graffiti at camp makes the place so much more homey. It also GIVES the place a history, I love reading the names that have been up there since the 50s!

[Kerrbear]

I for one LOVE sharpies, they are so important at camp! I also get the pack of many colours, they're a hot item at our camp! The last day or so the staff like to write their name and year in the backrooms. I love it, I think staff graffiti at camp makes the place so much more homey. It also GIVES the place a history, I love reading the names that have been up there since the 50s!

[Indigo]

That sucks. Apparently we have the same rule about super glue! Wal-Mart checked my ID when I was buying some a while ago. How weird.