My very first Con

Hello.
I hope you already read the FAQ, especially this section:
http://www.anthrocon.org/faq/minors

Now to specifics.
(Please note I'm not staff, just a regular who's been around.)

Show respect.
She's morally-and LEGALLY-responsible to make sure nothing bad happens to you.
Of COURSE she's going to be too cautious. That's better than the police
showing up and saying they found your body thrown in a dumpster.

Per the FAQ:

"You must be 18 to get a hotel room. If you will be staying overnight, we strongly recommend against making rooming arrangements with anyone that you do not know personally (and by that we mean face-to-face, not someone you met over the internet); better still, it should be someone that your parents have met and whose company they approve. Anthrocon prides itself on providing a safe environment for its attendees, but we are nonetheless a large gathering of people from all parts of the world, and one should be appropriately cautious."

Per the FAQ:

"# My parents do not want to let me attend by myself. Now what?

Why not ask your parents to come to the convention with you? According to our 2007 membership stats, there were a number of people over age 40 who attended the convention. We intend to have a few get-togethers and other events for Parents of Furries. If they worry that they might be bored, the Pittsburgh area has tons of things to see and do, so they might wind up having just as good a time as you do.

It is also worth pointing out that the Chairman's parents have attended the convention every year since 1999."

I'd really tackle all the other obstacles before addressing this one.

As to the plane ticket, we can't speak. The prices are unpredictable.

Planning a 6-day stay at AnthroCon is a LOT. Unless you're travelling in from
another country, it's probably longer than you want-which means it's more
expensive than you want. You can attend every moment of the convention if you
arrive by Thursday morning and leave Monday morning, including getting on line
for Registration (or Pre-Registration) early, and staying for the after-convention
parties. That's 4 days.

The cost of the room depends on how many days and how many people will share it.
The cost of food depends on where you get it. Most conventioners on a budget can
eat well for about $30 a day, including snacks. (If you're careful, you can get it
closer to $20, but I don't recommend trying for below $20.)

Here's the link to "about AnthroCon":
http://www.anthrocon.org/about

Here's the link to the Events listings:
http://www.anthrocon.org/schedule

That currently links to the events from AC 2008.
That should give you an idea of what a "typical" con has to offer.
If you can't convince her-based on content examples from that,
and their descriptions, that there's nothing you can learn,
there's probably nothing we can add to that.

That depends entirely on what's on those lists.

Not unless it matches the school team mascot.
And you wear it to sporting events.

I'm not to sure on some details, as I'm rather new myself, but I can try too help where I can

Budget wise, $1600 seems a pretty fair ammount, from what I've seen on the site 5-6 days hotel fee will likely be about $550-660 or so if your not sharing a room, leaving you about $800
Add into that your registration, say $90 if you go for a mid level (aka sponsor), if you havent factored in your flights, from what I've seen their looking about $3-500 depending on your location, leaving you roughly.. $400 for stuff like food, souvinere's and such while attending, as a rough estimate. obviousely you have other factors like cheaper flights, hotel room sharing, your dietary requirements and so on

On the fursuit issue involving your school? that would wholey depend in the people you go too school with, how many know your a fur and accept it, and what peoples short and long term reactions will be.
It is unfortunate, but being a fur often gets the same reactions as being gay in general. Mocking, ridiculing, and if yer still in school for another year or so, that could cause problems. However, if most people are open and understanding, and you really want too get out there n show off your suit? go for it, but be prepared for the aftermath that can follow

as for why the short list of "Do Not Go" reasons seems so more dominant over the pro list? is because even a slight uncertainty or fear grows, and you begine too worry. Look at me, I could think of tons of reasons why I Shouldnt go too ac, and alot do worry me.
But, look at it like this, The Pro's outwheigh the Con's, and there is a pretty hig hchance you're gonna go too AC09, have a awsome time, meet great people and go home satisfied.. but if you dont go, you may end up thinking you made yourself miss out on something, when the fears turned out unfounded.

Untimately, look at how things are, what worries you the most as a negative that'd stop you comming, and ask yourself "This worries me, but how can I make it not worry? how can I turn this bad thing into something good?"

Sorry if I cant be a lil more helpfull, but feel free too drop me a IM/Reply, if you want anything I said explaining more, or need someone too talk too about first con nerves =3

At 56, I may be older than your mother. Often, when children feel parents are overprotective, the parents are only reflecting their experience with things they thought were great when they were young but found out they weren't great... the hard way.

As to your questions:

1) No, the person whose name is on the room must be 18. Normally, it's 21, but the hotels relax this for Anthrocon.

2) On the left under FAQ's, you should find as much information as anyone can supply regarding how to convince your parents.

3) It's up to you. Regular membership allows you access to everything the con offers to everyone and it's the least expensive option. At least this one time, I'd suggest going with the regular membership. You can be a Sponsor or Supersponsor later.

4) The room will cost about $500 for 4 nights, probably close to $750 for 6 nights. Figure $25 a day for two meals: that's another $150. (That's assuming you came alone, or are paying for your friend as well.) No idea what the plane tickets will cost, but this gives you an idea of how quickly your money will go, just on the necessities.

5) In general, Anthrocon is not a "learning" experience, it's a fun experience. While there are people there from whom you can learn tons of stuff, that's not the main intent.

6) Take it from an old fart: the reasons against doing something are always more persuasive than the reasons to do it.

7) Unless you can pass your fursuit off as a school mascot, I'd strongly advise against it.

Finally, at 17, you will have to bring a document signed by a parent. It will also have to be notarized. (There's a FAQ on the left for young attendees: the form is linked in there.) You will need some kind of photo ID issued by the state, such as a driver's license. You will not be permitted into the adult section of the Art Show. State laws prohibit you from drinking alcohol until you are 21.

If anyone whose ID indicates that they are Staff or Board (especially Uncle Kage) says that I'm wrong on any of this, take their word for it and ignore what I've said.

(Edit: Damn! Three responses within ten minutes at 5:30 on a Saturday morning?! Does everybody else suffer from insomnia too?)

i cant help you with anything but helping convince your mom. im 14 and was fine in a rave (a dark room full of strange people dancing) my mom had the same connserns about letting me stay at the rave while she was at kaeroki(bad spelling), if a 14 year old can be safe in a dark room full of strange people you should be fine. but as the others have said you cant get a room/drink/look at adult art.

furrys rule!