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RayBanks Special user Nassau Bay, TX 533 Posts |
Each month the Cub Scouts (In America) have a theme. For May, 2002 the theme is
’Abracadabra’ and focuses on magic. It’s not too early to get in on this if you are interested. Each Cub Scout pack should plan a magic theme pack meeting. This would be a great place for some of us to donate a little time for a good cause and to have some fun as well. My son is in the last year of Cub Scouts and I plan on ’helping’ out as much as I can with this program for his pack. I also plan on offering some services to the other packs in the area. What I plan on doing is a short magic show, incorporating many things that scouts use and learn. My initial plans (and I am constantly revising this list) include, in no particular order: 1. Rope trick (scouts use rope all the time)starting with Phase 1-4 of Sandsational 2. Then I will cut the ropes and do Professor’s Nightmare. 3. I also have a comedy jump rope routine I might use. 4. Square-Circle for production of monthly awards. 5.David Ginn’s comedy cut and restored neckerchief. 6. Bridging illusion. 7. Maybe a card trick that involves counting cards To amplify on No. 6 a bit. May is the month when Cub Scouts from one level are promoted to the next level. One idea I have is to create a cheap illusion, two screens or so, have the Tiger Cubs (the youngest) go behind the screens on one end and come out a Wolf on the other complete with his new neckerchief. Nothing fancy here and probably will not fool anyone but will be a lot of fun. I probably won’t do all of these but everyone needs a starting point. Now is not too early to contact your local pack leaders and ’volunteer.’ You will need to bring some business cards to pass out as the parents also attend these meetings. Having done some ’been there, done that’ in organizations such as this, I feel that the leaders will welcome you with open arms. It’s one less thing that they have to worry about. Anyway, it’s something to think about. I know I am planning on doing it. There are some ideas in the "Cub Scout Program Helps 2001-2002" book that is available at your local scout store. I think this will be fun. :wavey: _________________ Ray Banks
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Pick a card, any card...No. not THAT one...THIS one Ray Banks |
Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
Actually, I do about 5-6 paid shows for cub scouts every year. I don't have kids, but if I did, I certainly wouldn't charge the pack my son attended. However, there is often a surprisingly big budget for these events--not what I get for a corporate banquet of course--and I've never been turned down because someone couldn't afford me. I agree that Ginn's neckerchief effect is ideal for this venue. Also, very often I am asked to teach the effects from the handbook, and I am happy to do that. Sometimes the leaders have no idea how even the simplest trick is supposed to look, so they are ecstatic when I agree to teach them!
And yes, paid or not, bring plenty of biz cards with you. There is a huge potential for birthday, school and church shows in that audience!
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
On Wed, Nov. 21st, 2001 I was asked to do some magic for my son’s Pack meeting. 10 minutes.
I am producing the Rabbid Rabbit from a Trick Cereal Box then, rope through boy routine, (In Scout Magic book), then Ginn’s Cut and Restored Scout Neckerchief but using a breakapart change bag instead of the standard change bag. In February, I am doing the Blue and Gold Banquet. Yes for free, it is my son’s Pack and I am Assistant Cub Master. _________________ Dennis Dowhy (800) 927-6671 www.Magic-Magic.com [email]DennisDowhy@magic-magic.com[/email]
Dennis Michael
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Just did the above Scout routine but left out the rope trick, a 15 minute routine most of it was on the cut and restored neckerchief as mentioned by David Ginn, however, the act was completely different then the one Ginn explained.
I use a cloth break-apart change-bag, a hat coil, nesting wands, fake hand strapped to my ankle, and a magic word "Hometown Heros" (pack theme: heros). I chose a boy who just received his bobcat badge and New Neckerchief. When I cut that Neckerchief, his face said a thousand words and his mom filmed everything! (Obviously, I restored it, magician’s do that kind of stuff) When I reached for the sissors in my pocket, (I explained I carried it in my sock) They saw a stretching arm comedy effect routine. Prior to cutting the neckerchief, I did the nesting wand routine, then covered the assistant with the paper from the hat coil making him look like a Christmas tree. All from an empty bag. Each time I tried to do a magical effect it didn’t work and the kids made it clear I forgot to say the magic word. So when they said it the trick worked. It was a little more than the above but you get the picture. It used an assistant, had comedy routines, had a dramatic jaw dropper (Cutting the Neckerchief - No one in their right mind would ever do that!), the complete audience was involved in yelling out the magic word, pointing out that I forgot to say it, and it ended in a successful conclusion. The kids will remember the Pack Theme of honoring the Hometown Heros (Police and Fire Fighters). Twelve minutes for one routine which could be done in less than three without the comedy material and patter that supplemented the trick. Not once did a kid say "I know how that was done", (The puzzle mind of a child.) The shock of really cutting a neckerchief floored them. Their main concern was, what is the magician going to do now! Is his mommy going to punish him for destroying a brand new neckerchief? But alas, "real" Magic did occur, the scout got his original neckerchief back fully restored to everyones satifaction. The parents in the audience where just as shocked as the kids, so was the cub master and leaders! One leader said she counted all the neckerchief inventory, he didn’t take one of them. They felt empathy for the boy and their adult logical mind knew for a fact that a Scout Neckerchief was really cut! My, what a powerful trick! And, a great time had by all. When it was over, the comments were worth it, but the greatest satisfaction was watching the Scout examining the Neckerchief with his den scouts trying to find the holes. The kids saw the insides of the breakapart change bag, and no one could convince them otherwise that "real" magic which they took part in occurred. _________________ Dennis Dowhy (800) 927-6671 www.Magic-Magic.com [email]DennisDowhy@magic-magic.com[/email]
Dennis Michael
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RayBanks Special user Nassau Bay, TX 533 Posts |
Since May is coming up pretty soon I thought I would bring this one back to the top.
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Pick a card, any card...No. not THAT one...THIS one Ray Banks |
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
My show was cancelled because many of the mother's did not want to spend any more time then necessary at the B&G. (4-Hours without a 45 minute magic show!) They wanted me to do only two tricks, if I absolutely insisted on doing magic! They are the controllers and will be out this year.
Who's it for...the mothers or the boys?
Dennis Michael
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gman Special user Lancaster, pa 751 Posts |
Curious as to how one might break into doing shows for the scouts
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Gman
You have entirely too much time on your hands, did you say you were a Banker? Go to magicblueandgold.com Al Angello
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
what Special user Lehi, UT, USA 643 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-01-23 10:49, gman wrote: If you want to do paid shows, you will have to get your name in front of the Scout Leaders. Scout Districts each have a monthly training meeting called Roundtable. The Councils have a large annual event for leaders called Pow Wow. Our Council conducts Pow Wow in September. These would be the best places to get your name in front of the Cub leaders. The big party event in Cubs is the annual Blue & Gold Banquet. It is traditionally held in February. September Pow Wow and the next couple months of Roundtable meetings would be best for getting your name known to the leaders. Hope this helps, Mike
Magic is fun!!!
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Mike
The Mormon Church in UT is scoutings biggest supporter, and I don't know if there is a big pow wow in every state. Al Angello
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
what Special user Lehi, UT, USA 643 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-01-23 11:23, Al Angello wrote: That's probably true. There may not be one in every state, but many of the councils do one. Some of them have combined it with Boy Scout Leader Training and called it "University of Scouting." You'll have to check with the Council to see what they do. The great thing about these events, is that you will run into the more active leaders, the ones who really go the extra miles for the boys. They are the most likely to have well running packs who can afford, or might look to schedule outside entertainment. The Roundtable meetings are on the District level and will be more local. The leaders who attend these also seem to be from the better run scout orginazations. Good Luck, Mike
Magic is fun!!!
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Tony James Inner circle Cheshire UK 1398 Posts |
Only a masochist would ever consider getting involved with Boy Scouts. All that pent up testosterone is a receipe for disaster. Go on, go and do some shows for them and retire exhausted. I've done them. Purely for the money and not any more.
Their normal activities are very physical and as soon as they're in their Scout Hut they start letting off steam. They find it very difficult to behave and most Scout Masters are as effective as a chocolate teapot. And their huts are the most unhygenic of all. Everything covered in fine silty earth walked in and carried in on tents and things and a squalid smell of stale body odour. Their toilets defy description. If only they would introduce girls it might have a sobering and uplifting effect. And improve the hygene! Cleanliness is supposed to be next to Godliness - there's an excess of the latter and an insufficiency of the former. All boys togther and those who mastermind them is a very unhealthy combination and that comes from a family who knew Baden Powell. His family and mine were friends. They holidayed together. 'Rather strange' was the usual polite summing up of him. I wonder how he would have managed today?
Tony James
Still A Child At Heart |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Tony
You are right a cub scout banquet is the most challenging audience that I know of. Al Angello
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
Jeff Haas Special user 929 Posts |
They have a lot of energy, but if you can find a way to make an adult look silly, they'll think you're terrific.
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Tony James Inner circle Cheshire UK 1398 Posts |
With Scoutmaster you don't have to make them look silly.
That's part of their job specification
Tony James
Still A Child At Heart |
Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
I'm a regular performer for our regional scout councils. While I've had some negative experiences with Scouts en masse (totally ripping Ronald McDonald's costume to shreds comes to mind), the vast majority of my experiences have been remarkably positive. I find the Cub Packs in this area to be well mannered and very respectful once you establish yourself as an adult to be respected and, in return, willing to share something of value. Taking the time to demonstrate and teach simple magic effects makes you someone to look up to. I did a pack meeting just this past Monday and thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Frankly, I'll take any Scout pack or troop, boy or girl, against any other group of kids anyday. In spite of their natural rowdiness, the Scouts I've known exhibit an inner confidence, self-assurance and true joy of life...with respectful manners when needed. That said, the packs and councils have a budget established for these visits. Because I am a life-long Scouter, Explorer and Leader, I give the Scouts a discount on my standard fees...but I still charge. It's still business. Skip
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
gman Special user Lancaster, pa 751 Posts |
Thanks for the information Mike.
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
If you're interested in doing Blue and Gold Banquets in your area, don't forget to out Julian Franklin's Blue and Gold Marketing site http://www.magicblueandgold.com
He advertises the website in the most popular Scouting magazines and leaders from across the nation log on to find Scout worthy entertainment in their areas. Nationwide advertising at an unbelievably reasonable price. Skip
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
I would recommend the book "Blue and Gold" by Kyle Peron. I did Blue and Gold banquets for years. I thought I knew it all until I read Kyle's book.
http://magicenhancer.com/Blue/Gold.html A lot of professionals also recommend that book. |
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