Tips wanted for managing 30-70 teenagers for three days

[markus]

I and my wife are Page Chairs for the state Democratic convention.

Anybody with experience running a heard of 30-50 teenage cats for a three day run, I'd appreciate hearing from you.

My plan is 1) keep them busy, 2) make sure they get to meet & mingle a bit with the VIPs (delegation, etc.) and 3) feed them, and 4)no smoking in the bathroom or making out in the parking lot (wait, that was my teenager hood in the 70s, never mind).

[Exgeneral]

1. Cattle prods are cheap

and while you're at it, don't forget the stun guns.:evilgrin: Good luck. You'll need it.

[DuctapeFatwa]

2. Do you have a doctor friend who could just give you general anesthesia?

that would last for 3 days. The only other thing you'd need is a comfortable bed in a locked room.

[dolo amber]

15. I was thinking

a veteranarian...tranqualizer darts are probably not too expensive. :D

[MadProphetMargin]

3. Soften the little buggers up with some trenchwork.

It's always worked for me.

[xray s]

4. Tell 'em John Ashcroft has cameras planted in all their rooms

Come to think of it...that is probably the truth!

[alcuno]

5. Tell me it's not just you and your wife managing 30+ teenagers.

I'm having flashbacks to an ill-conceived class trip to Springfield.

[Lars39]

6. That was my first thought, too. Markus, recruit more adults!!!!!

Spread the pain around. :evilgrin:

[markus]

11. You should've kept them away from that Simpson's kid

Everybody knows he's bad news.

[Dookus]

7. duct tape and xanax

[x-g.o.p.er]

8. Prozac and liquor....

and lots of it!!! Good luck

[markus]

9. Y'all are so -o-o-o- helpful and encouraging....

I hear from past page chairs that "it's not really that bad" but I think they're just buttering me up and snickering after I leave the room (wow, man, did he fall for that).

Unlike a field trip, these guys are mostly volunteers. My 12 year old is being dragooned in favor of bothering Grandma to keep her for three days, but she's acctually excited (although she'll probably be the youngest person there and can't find any friends who'll do it. She is very mature and has a lot of responsible friends who'd be great. But there families are all Reflexive Republicans, the scourge of North Dakota).

Ok, the new plan: 1) Keep them very, very, very busy. 2) Only allow them to meet VIPs if they behave, 3) feed them low-sugar foods only and 4) no smoking *anything* in the bathroom or making out in the back of the gallery during the Keynote Speech.

[Lars39]

13. Seriously, you should use a buddy system.

Assign 'em and make 'em stick to it. It's for their safety and yours, too. Number 5: no booze.
Odd things you might want to have on hand: tylenol, feminine hygiene products, extra money, parent's emergency telephone numbers.

Good luck! This is one of those things you'll look back on when you're ancient and wonder how on earth you did it! You'll do fine. :)

[markus]

10. DUPE

Good Beer. Bad Tieping.

[mopinko]

12. good cop, bad cop

immediately designate "the hammer" and repeat after me, "i'd love to let you ______, but x will not allow it"

[Cleita]

14. The keeping busy thing works really well.

Also, a little sleep deprivation (not much)works along with almost more work than they can handle (just barely). Whatever you do, don't try being a parent. They already have those, but you must let them know you are the adults in charge.

[happyslug]

16. Get them to do something PHYISCAL

One of the problem with trips like this is no exercise, so the kids are all wound up and no way to release the tension. I do not mean a 10-15 minute walk, but a 1-2 hour hike. For example do not DRIVE them to the capital, make them WALK it. You will hear them complain it is to cold, to hot, to far, but tell them THEY HAVE TO HIKE.

I know it is March, and most teenagers have NEVER had to hike together as a group, but get them to do it.

[cally]

17. Two adults are not enough for three days

You need to patrol the halls and get parents involved. My total goal on a similar trip in HS was to hang with the 'boys' in their room and thwart the adults. I did go to their rooms and avoided the adults. Ran up and down the stairs to avoid them. You need to make it hard and the consequences so bad that they don't try.

Other than that, keep them busy. When you are exhausted, they are ready to party. Plan a dance where you can watch and they can exhaust themselves.

I have a very close family member who could offer much more informed advice. He plans these types of trips. Send me a PM and I'll

forward it to him.


edited to add more info.

[flamingpie2500]

18. Set up as many video game systems as possible.

[tigereye]

19. be patient and don't think that you need to "control"

what they do. They may be more responsible than you think and will probably be so tired that they will fall asleep ( yeah right). We used to go on high school Academic games trips in the 70s and I don't really remember the adults obsessing about what we were doing... boy adults really didn't pay that much attention back then, did they, and we basically turned out fine.

I'm sure they were watching ( except when we were making out in the guy's rooms, in the lobby, on the bus, and smoking hash in the hotel.) he he. And we were the "smart kids!" And some of us even ended up at Harvard and Brown. Well, some of us... So don't worry, set rules and don't feel like you have to be the police. GOod luck and have fun.

[MadProphetMargin]

20. Are you mad??? He'll be eaten ALIVE! The horror!

:D

[Redleg]

21. Get help. Stock up on sedatives.

Good luck!

[DoNotRefill]

22. give them all heroin.

Oh, wait, that's not legal.....sorry!!!

:evilgrin:

[Tuba]

23. This is my day job

I am a band director and have taken numerous trips with 20 - 150 teen agers. Keeping them busy is the top priority. Things to do:
1) Find a mall. Teens can spend an amazing amout of time at the mall. That is the first thing my students want to do, and that is why I wait until the last day to take them there. Tell them you will not go if they are bad.

2) The Pool or Game Room.
These are also great hang out places to meet the opposite sex and talk. They also tend to wear themselves out swimming and showing off.

3)Team Recreation.
I don't know what the weather is like where you live, but sand volleyball has worked in the past. Indoor volleyball will also work I guess. Volleyball, yeah thats it.

4)Movies
Go to the movies, rent a movie, whatever.

last tip. Do get one chaperone for (at the most) every 10 kids. The more eyes to watch the less trouble. Also match up the most troubling kids with the "meanest" chaperone. If there is no one mean enough just keep telling them "no" to anything they request.

[Festivito]

25. Good fun, and welcome Tuba!

Some old Indian games:

Arm wrestle Shakers and Movers:
Everyone finds a partner. If odd number, join in. Put right side of right-foot alongside each other's right foot (toe by heel, heel by toe), grab right hands, plant left feet, say "go," touching only at feet and hands attempt to move the other person's left foot. When a left foot moves -- at all -- game over, mover finds another mover, shaker finds another shaker. (Agility more important than size, can reverse left and right.)
Good for about 20 minutes.

Undo a human circle chain:
Join groups of about 6 to 12 people into a circle facing inside. Hands are randomly placed into middle. Each person grabs two other hands. Unravel the chain without anyone letting go of any hands.

These may not last long, but, when control is lost it does gather an unruly mob into a group again. Be sure to have the next activity ready before they get bored.

Good luck brave people.

[tobius]

24. keep the viagra far away. nt