In the four congregations that I belonged to in 30 years, there were many outings and large get togethers in all kinds of parks and fun places. Some had tennis courts, baseball diamonds, volleyball nets, basketball hoops, etc and these gatherings sometimes had two or three KHs attending. I always had a great time!
Later on they were pared down to smaller gatherings, the showers etc and weren't half as much fun somehow, maybe because I'd enjoyed 25 years of the bigger fests!
I was recently told that the real reason that these larger gatherings were stopped was that the teens were being DFed everywhere, for acting like teens (conduct unbecoming a Christian) and they weren't being kept under control enough. It was a BIG problem, so the WTS began to put a stop to any situations under congregation control that this behavior could be better monitored.
That's why they said that an elder or two MUST be in attendance, so he (they) could keep an eye on anything that might look like suspicious activity. Rather than give the teens an opportunity to do MORE together (with supervision) they take that away from them...and the adults too! Typical WTS behavior.
When the kids know that all their schoolmates are beginning to date, and going to all kinds of new places and doing new things---the WTS in all its "wisdom" shoves the kids further into a life of doing nothing but meetings and service.....not much of an incentive...for the teens OR the adults.
But then......what do I know.......
Annie
