If you’re one of those folks who worry about youth not being interested in old cars and hot rods nowadays, here’s something to brighten your day. In the last week, we’ve received word of two separate programs with the aim of getting young folk to participate in building a hot rod.

First, here on the East Coast, the Saratoga Automobile Museum, inspired by the museum’s current Right Coast Rods exhibit, will conduct a SAM’s Garage youth educational program dedicated to building a hot rod over the next several months. Made possible by a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts, with additional funding from the Automotive Recyclers Association of New York, the SAM’s Garage program will begin in January. From the museum’s press release:

Participation by students of all skill levels is encouraged. Each student must submit an entry form with a drawing of their favorite car from the 1930s and 40s, and a brief essay of up to 100 words explaining why they want to take part in the project, and what they hope to learn from the experience. Beginning November 15, interested teens can find entry forms and related information to be downloaded at www.saratogaautomuseum.org. The deadline to apply is December 20, 2010, with those chosen to participate to be notified by January 1, 2011.

The museum is also on the lookout for “artists and artisans to mentor the young people through the process of how design and art are an integral part of our love of cars,” as well as for a 1930s or 1940s car to be hot rodded or for a hot rod to be refurbished for the project.

Meanwhile, out on the West Coast, the students in the auto shop class at McKinleyville High School in Humboldt County, California, have started a Model A sedan project, under the instruction of Jack Sheppard. So far they’ve collected the body (1930 or 1931 Tudor) and frame, and they’re currently on the lookout for a front suspension for the project.

Sheppard said he started this project “just as a fun thing to keep the kids hooked, and so they can apply their skills. I got the body and frame from a friend, and I do have a crate 350 ready for it. Like all schools in California, our budget is limited, so there’s not enough funds for a full-blown restoration, which is why we’re going the rat rod route. Plus, we’re dealing with teenagers, and they’re going to be much more interested if it’s a hot rod of some sort.”

He and the students plan to finish the project by the end of the school year and then sell or auction it off to raise funds for another such project next school year.