So it seems I might have 45 minutes to promote my squadron, kind of a taster session, at our local school. The truth is I’m out of ideas as to what to do to entertain 30 - 40 young people in a classroom environment.
Of course I can show them cool videos and talk about the activities that they can look forward to if they join - but I want to engage them more than that.
Any ideas?
We’ve had this before - do any of your cadets attend the local school? Can they be allowed into uniform for your session to help you demonstrate, or run stands. This connects well with the audience when they realise who is amongst them.
The size of the group will have a great effect upon what you can carry out. Look at MTC (which I believe the ATC normally call PLT), most of which can be delivered without equipment or qualification.
Can you take smaller elements of fieldcraft kit along - webbing, cam cream, etc? Uniforms on rails/hangers?
Consider all the core activites, plus any extras, and how you can make elements of each mobile and show-off. Having stands, whether manned or not, is the best way to keep your audience moving about the room and therefore interested.
Ask them to think of the activities we do - then bust open the myths and misconceptions?
Team building activity of some kind? Communications type of thing? Hit Businessballs.com?
Some cool videos would help - but getting them to buy into it with some practical things would also help!
Fancy a challenge? Convince a Viking VGS to bring a glider along for show & tell…