Fill-in Games: Elevens

Another one for the younger lot.

Equipment:
       None!

Setup:
 Get all the kids sitting on the floor in a circle, legs pointing inwards.

The Game:

Starting with one foot the kids count to eleven for each foot.  I.e. first kid taps right foot on floor and says 1, then 2 on the left and round the circle.

The kid who is unlucky enough to be 11 takes that foot out of the game then starts with the next foot from 1 again.

That's it!!!

The winner is the person with the last foot in wins.

No idea why this game is fun but they enjoy it!

Expanding the game.

I must admit this is drawn from a more adult version with beverages but it is the natural extension. My friends would call it 21 and the same principle, but you can each say upto 3 numbers.  The person that says 21 is still in but chooses a new rule for the game.  I.e. miss 8 or make a noise instead of 12, a sign or the like.  Pretty much anything goes within reason.  This is more suited to teenagers.  Of course the target switches to wanting to say 21 to make up a rule often.  If you fail to do the right thing however you loose a life and the numbers start again with till 21 is reached and a new rule is created or someone else makes a mistake.

We will remember

Our Boys' Brigade returned to the fray for the first time since re-opening in 2007 as we formed up in the square next to the cities cenotaph alongside other Youth groups, Royal Marines, RAF, Navy and the like.
The plan was to show the boys the meaning of Remembrance day, to take part in the parade and to show that the Boys' Brigade is still alive, thriving and taking an active part in our community.
We couldn't have had a better group of boys to do so.  With 10 out of the possible 11 of our older members coming allong in pristine uniforms, polished shoes, arm bands and hats forming up proudly in front of a fair crowd.  To have such a good turnout we knew we'd be in for a challenging but good day.
We knew we were on to a winner as the utterings of questions came from the crowd as we marched onto the square.  "Who's that Youth Group?", "Is that the Boys' Brigade Uniform?" and hilariously, "They're either the Boys' Brigade or Big brother or something?"
We replied to those we could but the morning was taken up by the silence at the stroke of the 11th hour and the ringing of the Last Post sounded out through the square.  Our boys, with heads bowed in quiet revererance and thought throughout.  A true moment for us as Officers and a memory for the boys whom did not question or complain but stood out respectfully in thanks to those that died for our way of life and so they might have the chances put before them in these times and those ahead.

Afterwards was lunch before heading to the local museum of the Royal Marines where in 2 groups we led the boys through the story of the impact of the Royal marines, what it takes to become one and what true bravery means.  The boys once again taking it all in.  They asked questions and found answers to ours, learning throughout.  All enjoying the day and content with each others company.

Of course we made use of the Assualt course to end and a game of rounders on the grounds to the front of the museum finishing in congratulations, thanks and a short prayer from the officers as the daylight began to fade.

To have been part of such a day truly inspires me for the future, the potential in the youth we have and the knowledge that we can give these kids something to really think about and they will honour us in their behaviour and actions when given the chance.

If your Youth group, Boys' Brigade or other hasn't felt the impact of being part of Remembrance day in your own town, i urge you to do so and you might see a side of your members that maybe you thought was absent.  We certainly don't regret it, not even slightly.

Burnout

I thought I'd sneak back into posting on here since it's been a while.  My new job took over a lot and my youth work fills up the rest of my time so these last few months have been hectic but filled with stories good and bad, resulting in me breaking down...

With special events being held, new challenges given and an exciting year of planning ahead it's been so packed i forgot to notice just how much i was starting to lose touch.  I went from loafing around in hotels to working 12 hour days, not including youth work or technical demands.  Not even to mention the finality of my parents splitting after nearly 30 years to separate addresses, asking for my attention at each of their new homes.  My sister in her final stages of pregnancy.  Myself moving out.  Friends struggling with change.  Youth having troubles.  Family moving to far away lands and the imminent anniversary of events that shook my world and even my faith.  The list goes on...

Then I found myself working near enough every evening on new things, my house isn't even unpacked.  With my key to the church the emphasis grew to become proactive and start finding the change that i can make.  But to no avail.

A bad youth night sent me spiralling, battling with God and questioning everything i have done.  To the bottle I went.  Nights spent on a couch trying to forget anything and everything.

Only now do I know that I hit the wall.  A thick wall.  I even thought I'd made it through but somehow I think i merely made it to the air gap.  The same distance lies ahead and I find myself, as ever, still stuck.  The pressure doesn't lessen but only increases as time ticks away and I struggle to regain my footing as the list of things to do is forever growing.

I must apologise, I've used this post purely as an outlet to my worries.  But I aim to post of my successes these last few months and hopefully the impending events might act as my saving grace.  For now I merely pray at the feet of my God.  I have a mountain of worries, but God isn't afraid of mountains!

Fill-In games: Port Starboard

One for the younger ones!  But one of my favourites.

No equipment needed!

A very popular game for 5-10 year olds to run around like crazy!

The leader shouts Port or Starboard and the kids run left or right, simple as

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Then add extras like...

• CAPTAINS COMING - Kids salute "aye, aye captain!"
• STERN / BOW - Run forward or back
• SUBMARINE - On their back, one leg in the air like a periscope (lol)
• CLIMB THE RIGGING - pretend to be climbing
• MAN OVERBOARD - Swim
• MAN THE LIFEBOATS - row your boat
• SHARKS! - they run around screaming
• SCRUB THE DECKS - kneel down, pretending to clean the floor

I'm sure there's more but I shall add them when i think of them!  Comment if you think of any more!

This is an OUT game so the last to do the call is out and sits out of the way.

It's a great game and I hope you enjoy it!

Stepping up in Youth work to take a step back

Now I've become a more permanent placement in our city the idea of me becoming the captain of the Boys' Brigade company is being brought up more and more.  Not necessarily a bad thing, but a rapid change in the way I might work with the young people!

Currently a lieutenant, I am placed in charge of planning and running activities, especially games.  Which is testing but so worthwhile and somewhat fun in truth.
However by stepping into a captains role, in fact leads you to taking a step back in running programs.  You are then responsible for the entire night in a more supervisory role.  Expected to talk to parents where possible, to help with other issues the family might have.

On the Youth side the role is more in being a respected and trustful role model as I see it.  From speaking to other captains this often involves, depending on your style, attempting to chat with each of the young people throughout the night, inspections and devotions.  In fact one officer said he hasn't come close to running an activity for months!
I must admit that I generally attempt to do so anyway in terms of speaking to as many of them as possible when I am not running the activity.  It is something that I have enjoyed throughout my time with companies.  By getting to know the members personally a link grows and issues are far easier to deal with, although more issues often arise.

However as I'm in my early 20's and certainly childless myself, respect from parents is hard to come by unless they've seen me actually running activities which is rare.   Where a parent has little control has perplexed me at points I must admit.  Parents often appear to miss the part where I have 15 members in my charge and can deal with most situations when they only have the 2 and are still, in some cases doing it wrong!  Yet another stumbling block to be passed on my way.

But in general, I shall be shadowing the captain when possible and the training comes soon.  Whether I'm ready or even in such a position to take over is the real question.

Fill-in games - Mushroom

This game has come to be known as mushroom, don't ask me why but it is.

Yet another circle game that's got the extra benefit of helping you and the Youth learn each others names.  Which is always useful!

Equipment

Nothing but the players!  Oh and a bit of space helps.

Rules

• The game starts with one person saying their name and someone elses name.
• The person mentioned then does the same verbally passing the game around.
• The job of the person in the middle is to catch the person before they've passed it on by tapping them!
• If they succeed then that person becomes the one in the middle and whoever got them then starts the next round.
• Try not to point or look at the person you've passed to or it'll be easier for the person in the middle!
• And so on...

How to play

1. The game starts with the usual attempt at making a circle.
2. Then you start in the middle to explain the rules!
3.  Get the game going and give them a chance to get used to the game before starting to attempt to catch someone before they pass it.
4. Once they get the hang of it you can change the category.  Like simpsons characters, albeit starting to get out of date already!  Or animal names, or better noises.  It can become rather loud so why not throw in a category of signs where no noise is made but a sign with their hands (no rude ones obviously!).
5. Start again

Overall

This game is really useful for remembering names, so for new youth groups or camps but also works well when they know the game.  You can ask them to give you ideas of categories and then play with them.  Therefore really good as a fill-in game!

To the future!

I have a job, not a youth work job but in mechanical engineering.

I still haven't grasped how that will change things to come but i beleive it is the plan for me right now.  Some people question me in accepting such a job.  I question myself more I assure you.

The good thing being that in a matter of months I will be back with friends, back in the city I have come to know, back with the same youth groups I have enjoyed and the youth I have become linked with.  So I am free to begin planning the next steps in my Youth work satisfied in the knowledge that I can continue where I left off just a few weeks ago. I shall endeavour to update you further wherever possible.

Apparently my work here is not yet finished.

Till next time!

The Fill-in Games: SPLAT

Even in the best of Youth programmes there sometimes evolves a slight gap, in some cases becoming a gaping hole.  Perhaps the bus or transport is late to pick the kids up, or the officer running the night is now ill or maybe as simple as that activity which was meant to run for another 10 minutes or so but you miscalculated!  The point is, how do you fill the time

Well I have become the fill-in for such gaps at the Boys' Brigade and the various Youth events that have been occurring over the last few months.  For instance a trip to bowling where the taxis decided to ignore our booking and pick up from the football game instead leaving us stranded at the Church till alternatives were found.  Hence I've decided to put forth such games on here once every week or so till I run out, which I'm sure will only lead to finding out more games!  If you've got any ideas, I'd love to hear them!

SPLAT!

The first being the dramatic favourite called SPLAT!

Equipment:  Players, aside from that it's a fill-in game so nothing.

Where to play:  A good space helps, a medium sized room, hall, hill, field and so on.  Anywhere!

How to play:  

1. Get everyone in a circle with some shouting and herding and such with you in the middle.
2. Now get them into something that actually looks like a circle!
3. Show them the Splat gun - make a gun shape with you hands, putting your hands together that is, you only need one!
4. Tell them they need to make the gun and test fire it once by saying BANG!  Once you're happy that the guns are in working order you can move on.  -  Some Guns can be too quiet so need re-tuning, time to motivate some shy people!
5. Explain that whoever is in the middle has total control!
    

Right so, now the game.
The person in the middle shoots someone saying "SPLAT", that person has to duck to avoid flying bullets.
Then the players each side shoot each other saying "BANG".
 Whoever shoots first wins and the other is out!  They must attempt to die dramatically!  They then  sit down till the game is finished.
Then repeat until the last 2 people are left, the gaps by then getting bigger and bigger in the circle!  The last 2 are then ready for the Final Duel!  But first the extra rules to save arguments!


The rules of shooting

• If you don't duck in time, you get hit by the crossfire and you die instead!
• If it's too close to tell, just move on.
• If someone fires when they're not supposed to, the bullet ricochets and kills them instead!
• If they say the wrong thing, then their gun has misfired and they've failed!
• Once again Dramatic Deaths!!!

The Final Duel

Only 2 remain!  (else go back!)
They stand back to back.  You then need the magic word from beyond the graves, i.e. the other players (no Ouija board involved).  This can be anything.

Then the person from the middle starts saying words, some that sound like the magic one.  For each word, the players take a step.

The say the magic word and the duel commences with the players spinning, firing and hopefully you have a Winner!  Who then runs the next game while you get a cup of tea!

It's a great game that works with 5-18 year olds easily once they get the hang of it!

Staying afloat in Youth work

 Working with Youth is hard work, if you haven't tried it, you have been warned!  You get little thanks from the Youth or even most parents I've met.  Through voluntary work as an officer in the Boys' Brigade the kids simply expect you to be running these programmes as if it were your duty.  I've had parents who will complain at the simplest matter and never thank any officer, ignoring the work put in by the officers which goes far beyond the hour or so you have looking after their child.  The fact that they pay £2, which goes towards insurance through the BB, administration and resources, it is as if they think we're making profits ourselves.

So when you organise an event that the kids refuse without reason it's down heartening.  You design an event that could do great things but without a spark of interest from a ringleader, teenagers certainly won't go.  Even the best events can fail just through what seems cool from day to day.

But powering on is a part of youth work.  Even a paid youth worker stumbles just as much.  The problem is when we begin to question whether what we're doing is worthwhile, when it seems that we're simply treading water.  Sadly I think with a lot of our work, that is in fact all we can do, just keep our heads above the water for as long as possible.  With all the invitations for other things, like alcohol, music, movies, games and other such things drawing youth away from the organised groups it becomes a mission.  It is then that we need look towards God for a leg up!

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Galatians 6:9

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

So look back at the good things like the parents who are there to help, thanking you where they can but it doesn't matter if you get the thanks, what shows that you're making a difference is that they are there.

What about when a child learns something new, their behaviour changes or they're just having fun!  Think of all of that, because that's where it really matters.  Then drive forward once again, aim for the next programme, the next event and keep on working even when you're feeling low, it's then that God is asking you where you stand, He will lead you on if you let Him take the wheel.

Youth work is the change we need in our communities, to better our nations.  Know that ao long as you're doing Youth work and the Kids are coming, you are winning!

Finding a new stage

I'm at the point where my degree is about over, a couple exams left and I'm on blogger, perhaps not my best plan.  But I needed to let go for a bit so here I am, back for the first time in months!

All I can think about is how leaving the city after the last 3 years is going to go.  A new stage in my life is about to begin and I'm no closer to finding my way.  I'm still looking up and down the country at mechanical engineering jobs, not to mention youthwork jobs on the side.  But the more I look, the more it sinks in that in all likelihood I shall be leaving the city that has become my home.

Now I tell you that yes, I have asked God in prayer for the answer, I've asked many times.  I get the same answer;  That no matter where I choose to go, God has got something for me to work on.  For every mechanical engineering job I see a need for youth work in the area and a Boys' Brigade nearby where I see potential.  My friends say I am being taught patience, but the stress of a dwindling bank account and the thought of returning to my parents when a job doesn't come fills me with disappointment.

Then there is every Youth work opportunity that brings the need for extra qualifications and a paycheck far short of what i would receive in engineering.  But with each youthwork opportunity i see the space to return to mechanical engineering as a hobby, to rekindle a passion for which academia has removed in my recent years.  But I also see struggles, perhaps I fear failing my charges, but i suppose that is what I must face to move forward, even in engineering I see the job at hand very daunting, with new machines and complications.  Money is certainly not everything to me when I see a chance to help those who need it.

The facts are thus however, as of yet I have no offer for anything.  I have reached an impasse and only a true leap of faith will suffice if I am to continue on the proper path but perhaps I must choose the direction myself.

Kony 2012 Good or bad?

Kony 2012 has hit the world by storm.  A campaign launched by Invisible Children which has sparked conversation across the globe and asked for action.  But it's come across some negative views.

I personally believe that the problems shown in the Kony 2012 video, shown above if you haven't seen it do still exist although have moved situation and from what i can tell the LRA has greatly reduced in numbers.  There are according to the Guardian US troops in Uganda, however Kony has apparently now moved to the DRC, however it is apparent that there are LRA soldiers still working in small groups in a gorilla style warfare against the Villages of Uganda, for which the US troops struggle to stop.

The campaign is a great way of sparking movement against this kind of problem across the world and in my eyes can in no way be bad.  This is what we need in order to solve our problems as an international community.  We are no longer landlocked and must face these problems together!  The right way forward however is the difficult question that we should be debating, not whether the charity concerned has spent too much on film making!

But don't take anything at face value, the video or my opinion check out the Guardians resource on it which is still being updated:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/reality-check-with-polly-curtis/2012/mar/08/kony-2012-what-s-the-story?newsfeed=true





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God and the Devil or God then the Devil?

Good and Evil?
         Yin and Yang?
               Right and wrong?
 Is that really what God and the Devil are?          Arch Enemies?

God created everything...   Everything!

He is All Powerful                               All present                             and  All Knowing

 That was the foreword, now the main part!

                 The world today is, as ever, filled with Human beings.  We are perfect imperfections, filled with Good, but with great power to do bad.  We are taught to love one another, yet grow feelings of Jealousy and hatred and act them out in numerous ways, whilst our love often lies hidden.  We suffer from Lust and greed, wanting the very things we know are wrong, the very things we know are that of sin.  The very people we love the most are the very ones we often hurt.

                 Why?  the devil, satan, el diablo?  or simply through free will?  Or perhaps a mixture...  This time of the year of course reminds us of Jesus being tempted in the desert by the Devil himself.  Where he is tested, put through thirst and offered the oppurtunity for drink, hunger and offered bread.  As with Jesus he doesn't force us to do bad, it is simply in giving us the oppurtunity, perhaps he changes our mind towards it but simply putting the chance in front of you is the deal maker!  Tried and Tested!

                But we ourselves often do this work for the devil is in you, we dare, bribe and cheat people into doing evil.  We ourselves pass on oppurtunities for others.  We are as bad as those who carry out the deed.

                The story of Job shows intimately the work of the Devil.  A defined story of Job being tested, under the supervision of God himself.  God is simply judge, the Devil the prosecutor (as Alan Watts so bluntly puts it) and tests him.  He gives him the oppurtunity to avenge the many problems that have been made in his life.  But though he is destroyed more and more at each onset of tests, he refuses to falter, up until he is so bedraggled that he questions God himself.  The God who then presents what I have already said, that He created everything and everything is as it should be!  From then Job is awakened and blessed many times over.

               As with Job it is down to us what we choose, Good or Evil.  Luckily for us though the scales are biased!  For you may say that on the one side we have God and the other the devil, but this is not so.  For God created Everything, he is all powerful and all present!  The devil is not equal he does not stand on the same level!  The devil was created by God himself and is weak.  Jesus is the one standing on the other side of the scales and if you choose to have Him at your side then you are winning throughout.  You must prove yourself and choose carefully but you can win!  Through God all is possible He is above all, on a level far beyond anyone or anything... for it is not God and the Devil it is most definitely God then the Devil!

Ooh Balloons!

Every so often a balloon appears in our student house, such a simple object.  Yet ever since i was young and even now at university they just seem fun, something to do.  We end up playing alsorts of stupid games out of the boredom of revision, a well used break!
Ok so we're big kids, it's fun.
There's even been a balloon that's been stuck to the church ceiling for months, we can't get it down, although a BB gun may fix that soon.
That problem is the total opposite of a company called Aeros, who design and build airships.  They're trying to get their latest venture to the skies as I type.  The Aeroscraft, which is absolutely massive and being designed to lift an army, literally, the US are paying for this brand new vehicle to lift their men into a warzone and out again.  Seems odd huh, a giant balloon landing in a warzone?  Images of a bullet hitting it and the ship farting off into the distance come to mind don't they. However apparently our pessimism is wrongly based.  Even with several bullet holes the vehicle won't simple fold up or rip apart, and certainly won't explode (i know you were thinking about the hindenberg!).  This airship is lifted by helium at a relatively low pressure with a simple internal framing.  Due to this they say bullet holes will only make a minute difference to the flight of the airship if any, although you may end up with your army speaking in high pitched voices i guess. As we know Helium is much safer then Hydrogen albeit more expensive so no more crash and burn theories!