[at-l] Looking for AT presentation ideas

[shane@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Shane Steinkamp)]

> Has anyone done presentations for a younger crowd?  Any
> suggestions on what to talk about?  I'll certainly give
> them an opportunity to ask questions, but I don't know
> if they will have lots of questions or just sit there
> quietly.

>From time to time I've put on a little show like this.  I usually run way
over time, but nobody seems to mind...

First thing, don't give a presentation.  These aren't board members that
you're trying to sell something to.  Scratch the presentation.  Instead, put
on a play for them.  Tell them your story, and through your voice and
enthusiasm, tell it as though it were a daring tale of life and death danger
and adventure.  Nothing has to change but your focus.  Be sure to wear you
'costume' of hiking clothes.  That adds to it...  You want to come across as
more real than real.

With the little ones, the important thing is to convey your enthusiasm and
your excitement about the outdoors.  They really could care less about where
you went, what you saw, who you talked to, how you felt, or your pictures -
unless the pictures are REALLY interesting.  (MY pictures aren't that
interesting...)  They want to know what you DID.  Sell them on the 'fun'
angle.  Be animate, show them while you are talking to them, and let them
handle your gear.  You may even want to pass out a piece or two of something
innocuous and let them pass it around while you're talking.  (Just make sure
you get it all back...)  Little kids have a great imagination, and if you
involve them enough, they'll have the feeling like they were there.  You
should foster that as much as possible.

After the slide show, don't turn on the lights.  Either leave it pitch black
or very dim lights.  Bring your flashlight or headlamp or whatever us used.
(I like a Coleman lantern, even though I don't use one for backpacking -
it's a great prop.  If you've got one of those toy planetariums that project
the stars on the ceiling, that's a REAL bonus.  There are also some really
good tapes of outdoor sounds like rain, streams, thunder and lightning, and
I had one that had wolves howling.  The kids love that.)  Then, in the dark,
by the light of your flashlight, talk about the night and what it's like.
Not the scary part, the moon and the stars and the fresh air kind of stuff.

Bring the house lights up slowly and talk about what you did in the morning.
Bring the lights all the way up and talk about walking.  Bring the lights
down again and talk about the evenings.  I like to actually set up a camp
right on the floor using a free-standing tent.  I use a hammock, and this is
impossible, but the kids love it when you POP open your tent and set it on
the ground so I always try to borrow one even if it's not what I use.

If it's possible, fire up your stove and put some water on in your largest
camp pot.   Don't say anything about the stove, just keep talking about
something else.  When the water boils, make up one of your favorite camp
meals (Mac & cheese or something equally simple).  Having brought a lot of
plastic spoons, you then offer them all to try the food you ate on your
hike.

Be prepared for all the questions little kids will ask, like "Aren't you
afraid of bears?", "Where do you go to the bathroom?", and "How did you take
a bath?"  There will also be a little wise-cracker in the group, and he'll
try to sneak his silly question in on you.  No matter what, never show
surprise or laugh, but answer the question like it was a real one.  (I had a
five year old ask me if I went in the woods because nobody loves me...)

Beyond that, the usual applies.  Smile, speak clearly, look at the
audience...and engage them.  At the beginning, in the middle, and at the
end, make a statement that lets them know that each and every one of them
will be able to do this when they grow up.  Making it possible for them also
makes it real.  It lets them dream.  Make it so that every single one of
them, after hiking the AT, and asked why, will say, "Ever since Mr. Gary
came to our Troop, I always wanted to hike the AT..."

Shane