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How-To Hold Activity Buffets PDF Print E-mail

The activity buffet is the portion of team meetings in which invited Guests interact with our Scouts. Our Scouts choose to interract with whichever Guest they want.  Example opportunities include designing video games, illustrating comic books, and packing a backpack.

 

Parents, Multiple Generations, and Extended Family Members

 

The Activity Buffet was designed for Scouts, but provides a unique opportunity for parents, multiple generations and extended family members to participate as well and choose to interact with whichever Guest they want. Shared experiences allow families and Scouts to spend time together and talk to each other about the sessions.  For example, attending the same session allows Scouts and families get the opportunity to share what they each got out of it.  If on the other hand, Scouts and parents, multiple generations, and extended family memberse attend different sessions , they get the unique opportunity to discuss what they each found out.  This allows for parents, mulitple generations, and extended families to participate effortlessly.   We promote strong families and strengthen family values by providing exciting activities to Scouts and families.

 

Guest Presenters

 

 

counselor and youth outdoors

 

 

 

Choosing Guests

 

Our Scouts choose the Guests for the Activity Buffet, allowing our Scouts free choice and enabling them to feel invested in their participation. Scouts will have ideas about whom they would like to invite, but if they need some suggestions, suggestions can be found on Meeting Worksheets.  Scouts vote and decide which categories of Guests they want to invite.  They vote and decide via consensus, as in all their activities.  

  

It is possible the specific guest the Scouts want may not be available.  When Scouts vote, they should plan for a variety of options.  It is better to have more options. Scouts will undoubtedly have preferences such as skateboarders, magicians, Anime illustrators, etc.  If they need more ideas, their community is filled with possible choices from fire personnel to local government officials.  Occasionally, we also encourage parents, multiple generations and extended family members of our Scouts who have a particular skill set to appear as Guests.  However, the intent is for Scouts to interact with members of the community, not just family members.

 

Before a Guest can be invited to a meeting, a minimum of two Scouts must firmly commit to attend that Guest's group to make sure no Guest ever presents to an audience of zero.  That is why consensus is used.  It is important Scouts understand that when they invite a Guest, they have a responsibility to those they invited. 

 

In addition to invited Guests, at least one Scout will also present an interractive session at each team meeting.

 

How Many Guests to Invite

 

The number of Guests who are invited should be proportionate to the number of Scouts. Obviously a team of 14 Scouts should not have six Guests and a team of 48 Scouts should not have two Guests.  Guest expectations should also be considered.  For example, the Mayor would expect to speak to all the Scouts, whereas a local computer expert would be comfortable with a smaller audience.  Allow for an average of 6-7 Scouts per Guest.  Smaller groups are acceptable, but larger groups should be avoided to maximize individualized attention, except in rare cases such as a Mayor, principal, or an individual with extraordinary skill comes to the meeting.  Scouts and Team Counselors should use their best judgment.

 

Who Contacts Potential Guests

 

Once the Scouts have a list of Guests they wish to invite, Scouts volunteer to contact those Guests.  One Scout agrees to contact Magicians, or example, another to contact animators.  If a particular Scout has interest in a subject, they may choose to be the one to contact those Guests; for example, a Scout who loves skateboarding may want to volunteer to contact skateboarders.  The Guests are always contacted by the Scouts.  This is a rotating responsibility, so everyone gets a chance, and no one is doing it all the time.

 

How to Find Guests

 

How to contact Guests can vary depending upon the Guest.  Scouts can use the Yellow Pages, ask members of family, friends, teachers, religious and community leaders.  Different categories will require different methods.  For instance, while the Yellow Pages may be a good place to find magicians, people who like to backpack may be more likely found in local outdoor organizations by asking parents and community leaders.  Local colleges can be a source of athletes.  Zoos can be contacted for animal experts.   Scouts telephone members of each group and secure a Guest for a certain future meeting.  As the Scouts go through this process, they will undoubtedly contact those who are very enthusiastic and can be called again several months down the road.  They will also inevitably contact those who make it clear they do not want to participate.  Lists should be be kept of both groups of people to help save future Scouts from trial and error.

 

What To Say To Potential Guests

 

Although we provide a script, it is best for our Scouts to put the script into their words before speaking with the Guest, so it does not sound memorized.

 

After obtaining the telephone number and dialing it, it is possible you may initially reach a receptionist, someone else, or an answering machine in which case you need to tell them you wish to speak with or leave your information.  It will then be necessary to say your name, and identify that you are a Scout of the Scout Programs of Adventure Scouts USA or of the specific program you are a member of; explain the purpose of your call.  It is then possible you may then be connected with the assistant or secretary of the person you are trying to contact rather than the person you seek directly.  It may then be necessary to repeat your name, and again identify that you are a Scout of Adventure Scouts USA or of the specific program you are a member of; explain the purpose of your call and why you wish to speak to the person you have been referred to. When you get to the person you are trying to contact, greet them; Say your name; Identify that you are a Scout of the Scout Programs of Adventure Scouts USA or of the specific program you are a member of; Explain why you would like to have them attend an Activity Buffet.

 

It is possible that individual may refer you to someone else either in their company, office, or department..  If this happens, you will need to introduce yourself again and explain the purpose of your call again.  Once a person has agreed to come to the Activity Buffet; Schedule an appointment on a specific day and time. 

 

Remember to thank the person for agreeing to come.

 

Not everyone you speak with will have the time or desire to help you.  If this happens, ask them if they can refer you to someone who can help you.  If they are unable to refer you to someone, then ask your parents, teachers, Team Counselors, fellow scouts, and your friends for another referral.  Keep trying until you are successful at finding a Guest to attend.  Perseverance is a strength that will help you to successfully reach your goals. Never be discouraged when you encounter obstacles.  Like the story of the rabbit and the turtle, it is not the fastest, but rather it is the one who sticks with it, who succeeds. 

 

Scouts should talk with the Guests and clarify which materials are necessary and who will be bringing them.  Scouts can bring their own skateboards if they ave them, but a Guest would be responsible for bringing such materials such as magic tricks and art supplies.

 

Be sure to make clear that this an interactive session and that Scouts will be participating with Guests.  Be sure to include directions and repeat the time and date.

 

Always call back before the Activity Buffet to remind them about the meeting.

 

Below is a potential script.  The portion in parentheses should not be spoken aloud.

 

“Hello, my name is _________.   Is this a convenient time to speak with you?  (If Yes, continue, if No, ask when would be a better time to call).  I am a Rising (or North) Star Scout in the Scout Programs of Adventure Scouts USA.    We are a modern,  co-ed Scout Program.  As a part of our Scout Programs, we invite Guests to come to a meeting and interact with our Scouts.  Our Scouts choose which Guests they would like to invite.  We are very interested in ________, and would like to invite you to join us on (date) or another convenient date.  May I tell you more about it?  (If Yes, continue, if No, try to find out why they are not interested.  People can be sensitive about receiving calls asking them for something and they could still think it’s a sales call).  Presentations are hands-on and involve Scout participation, interacting with us at that meeting.  We are particularly interested in what you do and would love it if you could come and participate with us.”

 

Guest Responsibility

 

The Guest is there to interact with our Scouts and to help our Scouts learn-by-doing. For instance, the skateboarding Guest would demonstrate a trick, then our Scouts would get on the skateboard and do it themselves.  The Backpacker can work with our Scouts to pack sample backpacks.

 

Scout Responsibility

 

Scouts must always understand that sessions are interactive.  Our Scouts have the responsibility to speak up, comment and participate with the Guests.  If the presentation being made is not interactive, Scouts should steer the presentation to be interactive.

 

Deciding Which Presentation to Attend

 

Scouts get to choose which Guest presentation to attend at that meeting.  Scouts pick which activity they want to attend after each Guest gives a brief summary of what our Scouts will be learning-by-doing in their session. Scouts make the decision of which session to attend after the Guest has grabbed their attention  This is to help our Scouts develop creative and critical thinking skills by enabling them to change their minds once they receive new information.  Some of the Guests will obviously sound more exciting to Scouts than others, however it is entirely up to the Guest how interesting their session is.  A historian could be more interesting than a magician; sessions iclud

 

Scout Presenters

 

During each team meeting, when topics and guests are being voted on, at least one Scout is also selected to present at the next team meeting, in addition to guest presenters.

  The topics of the presentations are chosen by the selected Scouts.  The Scouts selected as upcoming presenters should propose topics which some of their fellow Scouts will have an interest in.  The presenting Scout, like the other presenters just prior to the Activity Buffet, is responsible for motivating Scouts to want to participate in their presentation.

 

The Scout will research, plan, and present their presentation. This enables each of our Scouts to strengthen their public speaking, creative and critical thinking, and leadership skills. These presentations are an opportunity for them to share a personal hobby or interest with their fellow Scouts. During the presentation, the Scout realizes how difficult it is to keep the attention of fellow Scouts and of the value of combining showmanship with information in order to be successful. The Scouts also learn more about each other, their interests, and the value of respecting other’s interests.

 
 
Adventure Scouts USA