I guess it depends on your budget, but the Street Survival courses are a great way to educate your kids without spending a ton of money.
The PCA in San Diego also has a three day class for $350 or so that is outstanding. A day at the AX will also teach your kids a ton about car control plus you can spend a weekend in San Diego

Just the other day an entire re-treaded tire came apart from a semi in front of me. My wife screamed, I braked to plant the tires, swerved out of the way and got back on the throttle as the shredded tire bounced and went right by where I was. Three years ago before joinging the PCA I probably would have either spun or taken the tire straight in the windshield... which could have been fatal.

 

I plan on having my kids do autocross as well. However, you have to watch it and make sure you don't make them overconfident. It's a fine line...

 

Peter,
I'll can use this as a good example at the upcoming school! Or if you are coming down to help out, you should work accident avoidance and tell the story yourself!

 

Another vote for Street Survival - both my kids went through it at Candlestick, highly recommended. My son next did an introductory track course with HookedOnDriving at Thunderhill.

 

I want to sign my 15 YO son up for this, but it appears that neither of my SUVs qualifies. Bummer. I guess we could borrow my MIL's Mercedes. "Hey Grandmother, can we take your car to the track?"

(No, my son cannot drive the RUF.)

 

Good for you Dad for thinking about a course for your youngster!

 

i have instructed for several street survivals and think it should be mandatory for 16 yo's. My now 18 yo went thru it and had a blast. then she did auto-x and "graduated" to a DE this spring. she leaves for school in B'ham in a couple weeks and we are planning to meet at Barber sometime for a DE.

 

I put both my kids through Skippy's driving course at Laguna but only after they had about 2 years of driving experience. I think doing that school as a basic learning course is overkill but later, when they think they're as good as an F1 driver, the Barber course takes them back toward reality a peg or two. I thought it was worth it, especially for kids like mine that don't have snow where they can learn how to drive in the slippery stuff.