I'm 13 and I'm wondering if Anthrocon is appropriate!
Well, I'm new to the whole convention thing, and AC is very far from home. I really really want to go, I've seen so many videos of how cool it is! But, my parents have to go with me at this age. With such a long trip to this new place, I want to make sure my parents would be okay with it. Is AC appropriate for my age? I heard of adult art there, and I read the rules for hiding that, but I don't know how to explain that to my parents! XD Other than that, I think everything else is okay. I appreciate any one who replies! ^_^
Thank you so much! I hope to attend this year, and perhaps see you there! I learned a lot of new things about AC, thanks to you. I'll show my parents this, if you don't mind, just so they get a better idea! 
Things that aren't appropriate for 13-year-olds at Anthrocon:
1. 18+ panels (that are clearly marked)
2. adult artwork (usually clearly marked)
3. people who don't know how to use tact and manners in public (I wish they were marked)
There's plenty to do for someone your age, depending on your interests. But like anywhere public, there might be some salty language that your parents might object to. And if they witness anyone being a particularly bad example, just remind your parents that you have no intentions of imitating that person.
Thank you! ^_^ I feel better about going now. You guys rock!
A closer option is the Rocket City Furmeet in Huntsville, AL, but it's only three weeks before AC, and you (and your folks) might not have the time/energy/desire/money for another con that soon afterwards 
If you want the truth, it will have to be a private message, because it's not very politically correct.
And why would the truth need to be sent only by a private message? Personally I would have a doubt about any "truth" that can only be passed on "behind close doors". It comes across as the person providing their point of view wants the receiver to accept whatever he/she says as "truth" without the possibility of anyone else contradicting or correcting what is said. If it is the truth it should be able to stand up to scrutiny in a public forum. If it isn't the truth that will also come out as it is scrutinized.
One other point about the way you phrased your post:
If you want the truth, it will have to be a private message, because it's not very politically correct.
This makes it sounds like you believe that the information provided in the thread up to this point is inaccurate or not truthful. If this is the case then you should make a post about what you feel is inaccurate and why. If this is not what you meant you may want to consider the way you phrase your posts.
I have read the posts in this thread and have found the information provided very accurate in relation to my experiences at AC. If you believed they are not please let us know why.
As a frame of reference, the above poster is stupidocelot - the guy who threw a poop fit after everyone was extremely nice to him and decided that we were 'below' him and summarily left the board. He says his thoughts aren't PC because his MO is to wander into a conversation, say the exact opposite of whatever's being said, deliver an inane diatribe about pop culture and then talk down to everyone. I'm fairly certain that he is behaving this way for attention. Don't take him seriously.
But more to the point, I've never really been in a situation at the convention where I felt imposed upon by inappropriate or adult content. There are plenty of young people who come to the convention - many with their parents - we don't hear many complaints about inappropriate content because we run a family friendly con. Yes, there is material oriented towards mature audiences, but it is neither the primary focus of the convention nor unavoidable. It's kept generally out of sight, and our security staff are very stringent about badge checking.
Yea, I recognized and remembered him. That is why I posted to try and head off any bad information before it began.
But also back on point, I have been attending AC with my wife and son since 2009 when my son was 14. He has attended several panels on his own and never got into trouble or into anything inappropriate and has had a blast every year.
One good thing to read over will be the Anthrocon Standards of Conduct. As Protocollie said we run a family friendly con and strive to make it a comfortable and fun situation for people of all ages.
It would also be good to look over the schedule from last year: Anthrocon 2001 Programming Schedule. While the schedule will be different for the upcoming year this will give you a very good idea of what you can expect to see.
Here it is:
Alot of the higher-quality artwork, fiction, comics, and shows or events are adults-only due to obscenity laws, and minors are left with inferior substitutes.
Of course, few people can bring themselves to admit this, because of their emotional investment, and the need for new customers to feed the fandom's cottage industries. This doesn't excuse my terrible attitude, but it's the plain truth. And I may not have gone to AC, but I've done my research on Wikifur, TV Tropes, Eurofurence's official web page, Anthrocon's, Megaplex's, Deviant Art, Fur Affinity, Flayrah, Anthrolations, and a few other sources.
That said, you deserve an apology. I am sorry.
,
Well that is your opinion anyway. My opinion differs, and I certainly don't see your comments as being the capital T "Truth."
This is yet another example of where second hand information can provide the wrong opinions.
A lot of the higher-quality artwork, fiction, comics, and shows or events are adults-only due to obscenity laws, and minors are left with inferior substitutes.
This piece of misinformation does a terrible misservice to a lot of artists, and a lot of work proudly done, displayed, sold, or offered at the general auction at AnthroCon. I've never bothered with the "adult" art, but the regular art is more extensive, much of it is excellent, and some excellent artists will ONLY draw non-adult stuff. I do NOT consider it "INFERIOR SUBSTITUTES." Neither do their other customers (I've bought badges and other art from them as gifts or whatever.)
Of course, few people can bring themselves to admit this, because of their emotional investment, and the need for new customers to feed the fandom's cottage industries.
Ah, the old "lack of evidence is proof that the conspiracy is working" thing. Me, I actually have little interest in ART! (Thus buying art as gifts for those who DO have an interest but not for me, other than badges.) If AnthroCon was primarily about "adult" art, a lot of us would not bring parents, and a lot of us would not bring children, and a single table selling "adult" products would not produce a hue and cry, and lots of outrage.
And I may not have gone to AC, but I've done my research on Wikifur, TV Tropes, Eurofurence's official web page, Anthrocon's, Megaplex's, Deviant Art, Fur Affinity, Flayrah, Anthrolations, and a few other sources.
Let's take these in order.
AC's website says the opposite you did- AC is family-friendly, and the few "adult" things are clearly marked and minors are kept clear.
TVTropes articles are no more "authoritative" than CSI, since it's not about furry and not written
by furries. Wikifur IS, and the AnthroCon article there says nothing like what you said.
Anthrolations hasn't been published in years, and wasn't about adult art back when it was-and was
never about AnthroCon either. DeviantArt, FurAffinity and Flayrah are art sites that are completely
unrelated to AC. If you object to their content or policies, complaining about AC is about as
sensible as complaining to the government of South Africa if you don't like US policies.
Eurofurence and Megaplex's websites are about their events, but even if they weren't, they say
nothing about being focused on "adult" art.
Sounds like your "research" skills have room for improvement.
I can't bring myself to admit things that aren't true. Having first-hand experience with second-hand conclusions, I can attest that responsible researchers' perceptions of furry conventions change dramatically when they actually attend. Look up the Hartford Advocate article "Hell Hath No Furries" for a reporter's account of how she found the reality of furry fandom is much more positive than the reputation.
While I'm not completely defending the things you say, there's a few points of truth that can be grasped. As much as Anthrocon (or any furry convention) would like to promote itself as completely family-friendly, there is always going to be that adult element. As much as we may try to squirrel it away (dur-hur, bad pun), you can tell it's there. Artists drawing it in the zoo, the overly-playful public displays of affection, those who cannot keep their conversation on a PG level while around others. That is also to say that much of these things can be seen in normal society, regardless of if you're looking for it. The things being marketed in the media, outfits worn by pop stars, movies and games and whatever else.
I personally have not met many artists who have chosen a purely-innocent route as far as what they create. I'm not saying that they don't exist, just that most artists fall under "would like to be known for their adult art" or "happens to create adult material".
As others have said, the con is what you make of it. There are those who partake in the adult-oriented side, and there are those who have no interest in it whatsoever (or so they say). Part of what I enjoy about the convention experience is that these two sides are merged, neither side seems to openly attack the other, and they seem to work well in balance.
(I probably come off as a bit of a grump in person, because the one thing I can't handle is excessive cuteness/begging for attention. If you see a group of fursuiters chasing a balloon or a laser pointer, there's a good chance I'll be walking in the opposite direction.)
You've never been the AC, yet you're so well informed about the Art Show that you can pass judgement on the artwork within?
I am highly insulted, both as a purchaser *and* a contributing artist.
This doesn't excuse my terrible attitude, but it's the plain truth.
You are entitled to your opinion, yes, but your opinion is drawn from zero experience and you present it as unvarnished "truth".
I find the General section of the Art show to have eye-popping, fantastic talent, and *that* is where I spend my time and money. This is my opinion, backed up by personal experience. For you to make such broad generalizations about so many artists when you have never even attended the Art Show in question is the height of arrogance.
Oooooh, those grapes must be REALLY sour!!!
I've never been in any section or event of Anthrocon that was off-limits to minors.* The quality of the informative panels, artwork, merchandise, and events that I saw was nothing that by any stretch of the imagination you could call "inferior substitutes."
*Not that I have any problem with adult stuff. It's just there isn't time enough to do everything at the con. After doing all my "must-attends," which did not happen to include any 18+ items, there just wasn't time left to do anything else.
If you want the truth, ask people who've actually ATTENDED AC several times, like me.
I have no qualms about bringing a small child to AC, and neither do many parents, some of whom HAVE brought small children.(That includes the Security Staff, who know very well what to expect from AC.)
Almost all the panels are acceptable for small children- but may not be INTERESTING for small children. (My panels would have bored any small child, but teenagers were ok depending on their interests.) The few exceptions are held late at night, are clearly labelled in the schedule, and have someone checking the badges (minors have a different badge so Security can check for it faster and without confusion.)
As for the Dealers Room, the place is generally pretty clean, and artists with "adult" art have restrictions on what they can display and how they can display it. So there's separate books that
can be requested and so on.
==============
Want to know what's fun to do? What's fun is a matter of opinion. Look at last year's schedule for an idea of what will be offered this year-the schedules tend to be similar but not identical, down to the time of day for an activity. There's all sorts of activities for all sorts of interests. The public activities of AC where you will be allowed will be pretty clean and, again, places I'd bring a small child. The streets are fairly safe, but I still prefer to travel close to the convention and walk with a few people- Pittsburgh is, of course, a city.
As a parent, I'd say parents have little to worry about- but I wouldn't just leave my kid completely isolated from me all day just on general principle. The panels should be of general interest, and the actual "grounds" of the convention (the convention center and the Westin lower floors) are all safe. I'd prefer to supervise my kid when out on the street, and generally make sure they were sticking to the public convention, where me and all the Security can watch. (AC may be perfectly safe otherwise, but I'd never automatically trust ALL the strangers at ANY event.)
Later I'll link to some comments about what others have said about AC. Recently we had a thread with links to Uncle Kage's (recorded) panel on "Explaining Furry to the Public." It's good to read up BEFORE trying to explain, so experienced people can recommend what to say and what not to say, and how to say it.
wait!? youre saying the staff attend the convention? 
Wait so you mean i have to show up. 
Le gasp
I'm kidding of course
I was using the comment about "wanting the truth", which was said by someone who never went to AC and thus really has no idea what "the truth" is, except what WE have said, those of us who actually attended (including volunteers and staff.)
Just checking. It was the "like me" that made me read it as "I am giving the official opinion".
I see no problem with younger people at AC. As previous posters said, it's a family friendly event, and lots of people bring their kids (I have, too, but it really isn't their thing and they got bored.)
BUT it seems like a lot to ask your parents to spend all that time and money to travel that far and stay a few days for something that is your hobby, not theirs. Maybe going to more local events might be a better way to go? Unless they are into visiting Pittsburgh, anyway, or something like that.
Your experience at AC is going to be what you make of it. What you want is what you get. If you want a good kid friendly experience that is what you will have so long as you are aware there are some adult aspects and they will to the best of the ability of the staff be tucked away where it should be. That said quite a few people bring their parents along to AC and quite a few parents out there actually have fun. As long as your parents are not off put by unusual or goofy things it'll be fine, and you'll have a great experience yourself.
I do echo someone else's sentiments that it may be a good idea to go to a closer convention though so it will be less travel and cheaper too for your parents.
As to whether furry conventions are primarily about "adult" art and "adult" activities,
let's ask a question:
What would an impartial observer say if they attended a furry convention and went around looking
for the adult stuff? What would that person find?
Actually, that very thing ALREADY HAPPENED.
en.wikifur.com/wiki/Hell_Hath_No_Furries
feralgenius.blogspot.com/2007/10/hell-hath-no-furries.html
jenniferabel.blogspot.com/2008/04/hell-hath-no-furries.html
From the 2nd link:
"What a crushing disappointment the Furry convention turned out to be, from the perspective of one hoping to write a really funny sex story about it. I salvaged what I could and called the result "Hell Hath No Furries""
From 2nd and 3rd link:
"At any rate, when I learned there'd be a Halloween convention called FurFright at Waterbury's Grand Hotel I immediately e-mailed a request for a press pass, and got a polite-yet-firm response discussing their strict no-media policy (common among Furry gatherings, I learned, since the Vanity Fair story).
Thus I went undercover, after visiting a Halloween store to buy a belled collar, velvet cat ears and a nice piece of tail (30 inches, if you think length matters)."
"Still, the adult stuff was rare and hidden from view. Everything else was child-safe: animal T-shirts, high-quality plush dolls and cartoons of the sort you find in kids' books. By fan-convention standards, it was all pretty tame."
""Your parents don't know?" I asked.
"No. They wouldn't approve."
"I don't see why. I've seen much weirder stuff at sci-fi and comic cons than anything here."
"Media sensationalism," Skunk said. "When the media does a story about Fur fandom, they pick the weirdest, most extreme people and say we're all like that.""
"Children's cartoons, Red Cross fundraisers, team sports and adult content kept discreetly out of sight. How wholesome.
Every half-hour I went to the bathroom to take notes in a private stall, and at 9 p.m. wrote: "May as well have gone to a Catholic school Halloween party. The dance starts in half an hour. Maybe something will happen there."
When I heard the strains of "Hungry Like The Wolf" emanating from the ballroom, I walked in to see a little toddler girl dancing with someone in a bunny suit. A minute later the girl abandoned the bunny to pull a cartoon fox onto the dance floor. She got more excited each time a new animal entered the room (good thing the mutant rabbit had left).
One man leaning against the wall surveyed the scene with a proud expression. "She's definitely my daughter," he smiled at me. "Look how much fun she's having."
"Of course," I said. "She's in a roomful of giant stuffed animals all come to life and dancing with her."
"You know," her father said reflectively, "I haven't been to a con since Anthrocon [another Furry gathering] a few years ago. These are the only people I trust. There's definitely a friendly vibe here."
There was. But what about the sex vibes I'd hoped to find? If I'd peeked behind every hotel-room door I probably would've found something, but that's true at any gathering of hundreds of people far from home. The Furry convention wasn't a sex thing but the exact opposite: an innocent world of children's-book animals, where a 3-year-old can roam with impunity and a maladjusted kid can enter the room with nobody leaving."
"At 11:30 p.m. I attended an adults-only panel called "Safety Furst." Was this, then, where the infamous Furry sleaze was to be found? Maybe a lesson on how to do bunnysuit bondage without suffocating your partner?
Nope. Same safe-sex/anti-STD lecture you can find in any middle school."
So,
those people who think furry conventions are primarily or secondarily
about sex and are not family-friendly are misinformed and need to actually
ATTEND one before forming an INFORMED opinion.
=================
Also from the 2nd link:
"Halfway through the convention I actually felt guilty, comparing reality to the sort of snark I'd thought I was going to write."
"You guys absolutely don't deserve the reputation you have in the mainstream. Hopefully my piece will do a little to correct that."
So please allow me to intoduce myself to you Roo (I hope you don't mind me abbreviating KangarooKrazy as "Roo", it's just easier to type."
I'm the programming director for the event. In a nutshell, that means I'm responsible for all of the panels and events at Anthrocon. (Outside of the Art Show, Dealer Room, and so on.) Please let me answer your question as simply as I can. Is Anthrocon appropriate for someone under age 18 being accompanied by their parents? Certainly it is! If your parents are accompanying you to the event or giving you permission to attend, you will have a "minor" badge. This will prevent you from going into the Mature art show and certain other events...but the vast majority of events will be perfectly fine. You will have access to all of the general programming events (well over 150 of them), the dealer area, the general art show, the main ballroom, the Zoo (a social hangout area for you to relax in), artist alley, and all public spaces. Some performance events may have a rating that requires your parent or guardian to accompany you (mature language or topic may be the reason for this).
Keeping that in mind, understand that Anthrocon has implemented a "Family Friendly" track. This is primarily for children under the age of 12, and provides a lot of fun events for the whole family. (Fursuit Story Hour, Animal Balloons, Origami, Kids drawing classes, and so on.) So there is a LOT to do for people of ALL ages.
Also understand that this is just like any kind of outing...whether it's a concert, a football game, an amusement park, or a shopping mall. There will be many people from many backgrounds. Some may be more introverted than others, some may be more obnoxious than others. Just think of it as any other public events and you'll see it's really very similar. (The policeman who watches the hotel lobby for us has repeatedly told us he'd rather deal with 100 furries than with one Steelers fan....that should say something.)
I would also add that in terms of the Anthrocon Art show....some of the pieces that have appeared in the last few years (the metal sculpture of a sea turtle, the hand painted Christmas ornaments, and the contributions of animation art form the Toonseum) distinctly caught the attention of some of the local journalists...who indicated that they never expected to see such amazing pieces of art at the convention. If you are a budding artist, there is a LOT that may inspire you in the art show. I'm a calligrapher myself, and I'm always getting inspired by new pieces of art.
I'll also add a caveat. Anthrocon is a fairly large event. It's by no means like San Diego Comicon or anything like that. But there will be in excess of 4000 people scattered in events across two buildings. It can be overwhelming at first. There are some great events for first timers and I do recommend them if you attend. Lastly, be open and talk with your parents about the convention. Above all...be HONEST. Have them drop an email to some of the senior staff or board members if they have any questions. The staff will do its best to answer questions and allay any concerns.
Feel free to ask anything you like...I shall do my best to answer your questions.
KP
Anthrocon Programming Director - also knows as "The Programming Puppy"
There are plenty of cool events to still attend which are perfectly age apropriate and family friendly at the con for 13 year olds and their parents. You could take in events such as fursuit building, or the puppetorium shows, perhaps "so this is your first con?" or a writer or artist panel. there's general good vibes in a videogame room and if paced and timed right hosts in the tabletop gaming room for some table top board games. Dont miss some main event items such as the Masquerade or the fursuit-danceoff tournament. There's a fun event midafternoon entitled "Anthropoly" which is anthrocons goof-on-gameshows with special hosts in "match game" style with the guests of honor of present, past and some popular artists or staff members to round it out. You can have a chance to win valuable prizes if you get a ticket and your number is called. (Usually a dealers room aritst discount or goofy years-past leftover swag from previous Anthrocons)
Another good quick one-off in the last couple years, and hopefully also due to happen for 2012 is the Anthrocon Scavenger Hunt. You search for specific locations at con with "clued hints". The answers to those clued hints typically being locations such as "help desk" or "con ops" or "con store" or "registration" or "gaming room" or "Headless lounge" wherein you get a stamp on a stamp-sheet and completing it gets you a nifty extra prize themed for that theme year. Last years was plastic magic wands.
As for the adult art at dealers tables, at least at Anthrocon, I've tended to notice most dealers are very good about keeping adult art in separate art folders marked very clearly 'adult art'. or a the very least past a specific tab within a folder marked 'adult art'. The art show itself is even more diligent with a very clearly marked Adult section with a double safety check of volunteer-security near that sections entrance. The rare ones that may not be quite as easily marked or noticed STILL have "censor stickers" just in case.
all in all, have fun and hope you and your parents will attend.