For the few or for the many

"Sacrifice the few to save the many"

I was speaking to my captain the other day in terms of the numbers in our sections and the like in the calm after the storm.  We sat talking with the other officers after the company night as to how to go forward in the new year.  However something my captain said bugged me.

" Some kids are great to have in the group, but as much as we try to keep these kids, they will eventually give up."  Referring to the odd kids, the loners so to say.  Imaginative, artistic and highly creative are often major characteristics.  Sport on the other hand is not.  So when it comes to games which the others enjoy greatly, these ones often sit on the sidelines.

Of course when running the games you are often stuck to almost ignore the one.  I struggle with this concept.  When I'm not running an activity i make it my duty to encourage those whom sit aside.  The answers from them often being, "i'm no good at sports", or in some rare cases "i like it but i just want to sit out".  (Some kids really confuse me).

So unless another officer does the duty of talking to these kids I can do but shout encouragement in between running things, a task that is often unsuccessful.  I have rarely seen another officer do so, they've often tried and given up.

Sometimes you even make headway with a child, who then leaves without word. Somewhat soul destroying.

So my thoughts lie with the singular statement above.  Is it worth more to run our activities for the many, or try to do so for the few at the risk of losing the others?

Sadly, my captain may have wisdom I'm too stubborn to accept.  How about you?

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.

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!

http://saltandlighttv.org

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.