SchoolActivity

[Husaria]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and suggestions. I should have added that the age range will probably be between 12-14 (maybe a few older). First, I have to win over customers for the day, so I have to produce a page for the activities brochure.

After reflecting on people's comments and a bit more time thinking myself, I'm erring on just keeping it simple. The option I had for a Warmaster Fantasy game seems to fit the bill of a) being something different, yet the kids can relate to the genre and b) the figure and game scale (plus being able to add in Pendraken figs to demonstrate alternatives are out there) allows for showing off something new to them in sheer game scale. 

However, I haven't rules out anything historical yet, as the idea of the 'free Kriegspiel' (have I got that right ?) intrigues me. I like the idea of just freeing up the players to make decisions and ,just like a GM in a RPG, rolling a few dice (behind 'a screen' ) and announcing the outcome could be a way forward. It would also allow for me to throw in heaps of narrative stuff to make it more exciting, as in describing the action and what's going on as units clash and commanders panic. I like this and never thought of it as a possibility. As the Umpire and acting impartially why not just make the decisions of what would most likely occur, albeit with a little roll of the dice to add in the unpredictable ? I could add in more complex rules tuition later, if anyone wants to take things further. One step at a time, eh ?

Thanks to all and feel free to comment or add any other suggestions-always welcome and other's perspectives are often things I wouldn't have thought of.

Tim

[Husaria]

Hi Tim

I'm based in ipswich, am a former youth worker and now work for the ambulance service so have my CRB/DBS clearance. I have lots of minis and terrain etc from the list you suggest so happy to help if you need a spare set of hands

PM me if you'd like to chat through some options

cheers

Paul

Thanks Nosher/Paul for you generous offer of time and input . I'll message you with more details and we can put heads together on this one. The day is a long way off though-June time, but Schools have to plan way ahead, as I'm sure you can imagine.

Tim

[sunjester]

I've run wargaming courses and one-day workshops for teenagers for about 8/9 years now in all different periods. I think one of the most important things is to keep the rules simple, so that the kids can get a game that they understand in the session. WW2 was probably the most popular/successful of all the periods. I used BKC, but introduced the rules in stages, using an increasing complicated QR sheet. So, for example, the first games was infantry and support weapons only. The 2nd introduced armour, at weapons and scheduled off-table artillery. The 3rd included FOO/FAC and so on until they were using the entire rule set.

Earlier this year I ran a 2 hour one-off game based in 1914 using a simple version of BKC "Lite". If you would like I could send you my notes for that.

[Leman]

Have a look at Neil Thomas' 'One Hour Wargames'. The rules are simple, the number of units is maximum 6, there is a result in a very short time and all periods and basings are catered for.

[nikharwood]

Earlier this year I ran a 2 hour one-off game based in 1914 using a simple version of BKC "Lite". If you would like I could send you my notes for that.

I'd like a look at those if poss please - am tinkering with this for my own WW1 stuff...

nikharwood AT gmail.com

Muchas gracias 

[Husaria]

I've been thinking about member's suggestions about keeping any rules simple/short and so, last night, I re-read the Ancient rules in Terry Wise's "Introduction to Battle Gaming"-aimed of course at the beginner and very suitable for young readers (well, I used to have this out on semi-perm loan, from the school library ). My copy is the one Ed.by John Curry.

Maybe, with a little tweek here or there, these rules could be ideal; simple, fast-play, lots of casualties and easy to Umpire/explain. Sure, they're not about trying to simulate Ancient warfare, in the manner of the obvious well-known sets, but why not give them a spin, just to allow the kids to play with the models and have a big fight ?

[sunjester]

Nik, email sent.