plus "kids are lazy".
Look, it doesn't matter if a group is regional, local or even on someone's street where they live. If it is not organized and can offer an unique and high quality experience, it will not attract the desired membership. Kids have multiple options on how to spend their leisure time & money. Part-time and full-time jobs are much more a teenagers life than it was in the 1960's, 1970's, 1980's and 1990's. You may be well intentioned, but certainly can't compete with organized (well funded and equipped) sports, high quality interactive video games & online entertainment, the opportunity to earn spending money (if not contribute families' income) and the competitive scholastic marching arts endeavors.
Corps will NEVER leave World Class for Open Class. To lose the $75 or so in appearance fees would be fiscal suicide.
Personally, I believe Tom Brace to be the single greatest threat to DCI (except for Arizona Academy)