About 10 years ago my girlfriend and I went into a toy store and agreed to buy each other a gift under $10, just for fun. I can’t remember what I got for her but she purchased a kite for me. On our way back to camp (where we both worked) we stopped at a park for a lunch of Subway sandwiches and some kite flying. We had such a great time until the $10 kite crashed and broke in two.

So does anyone fly kites anymore. I occasionally see them at the beach, but that’s about it. Wouldn’t kite flying make a great camp or after school activity? Next time you’re at a shop that carries kites pick one up and have some fun. Better yet, pick a few of them up and teach some kids how to get some air.

If you want to get a kite or two online check out these sites:
www.intothewind.com They even have a kite 101 section.
www.kitestore.net

In high school my mother was a very good archer. She was All-State. Yep, archery was a high school sport at one time. It still is in certain parts of the country, but not many. Usually a kid has to go to resident away camp to try out archery. Even though it is an Olympic event, there are few places where one can learn the art. One of the problems is that there aren’t too many instructors around.

The other day I was reading a story about how a junior archery program had just started in South Carolina because of the talents and passion of an archery coach. It got me thinking that there may be people in my community that have expertise in something that would make a great youth program.

If your program line-up needs something new, think about putting out a call-for-instructors. Try a press release asking if anybody has expertise in a certain area that may make a good youth program. Who knows what kind of classes or camps you may be offering in the near future.

Kids love puppets. Create an after school program that kids can learn and practice puppetry once a week. After 8-10 weeks you’ll be ready to put on a show for other kids and/or their families. A puppet program is relatively easy to run and the kids will really get into it.

Kids first learn the “art of puppetry”. It’s not just moving the mouth and saying some words. There is actually a specific way to make a puppet “come to life”. After learning the basics, kids will give their puppets a voice and put on a show, and they’ll have a great time doing it.

PUPPETS PROGRAM: SAMPLE OUTLINE

1. Give the participants a demonstration.
2. Break the participants into groups. If you are using pre-written scripts give each properly sized group a script to look over. (Each participant should have there own copy.)However, if you do not have scripts yet, one of the tasks of the group will be to write a script.
3. Rotate the participants around to different stations. Examples of stations may be:

• How to Use a Puppet
• Writing the Script
• Creating your Character’s Voice
• Stage Practice

This program has appeal for different ages, though elementary school aged would probably be best. If you are planning to do a puppet program for older kids make it so that they can put together shows for younger audiences and organize a show for the elementary schools in the area.

To do a quality program you’ll need to stay away from the Popsicle stick or sock type puppets, unless the kids you are working with are between the ages of 4 and 6. Also, stay away from the stringed puppets, the marionettes (they are difficult to use properly). Purchase the half-body or full body puppets. You might also want to look into the animal puppets.

Make sure the kids understand the importance of being careful with the puppets. If they have trouble respecting the puppets give them a sock puppet until they can use the quality puppets correctly.

You’ll need a puppet stage as well. This can be built or purchased. Either way you’ll need a set-up where the kids and the puppets can perform. The Funny Puppets Company has got some great stages.

Finally, you’ll need scripts. Get a good fractured fairy tale book and convert those into scripts.

Here are some good puppet sites:

Puppet Productions
Puppet Universe
Puppet Superstore