Monday, December 5, 2011
I'm Back
Well, it is time for me to return to this blog. I had taken a break because I was coaching football, and did not have the time. Our team played our first 3 man tournament a few weeks ago. We got slapped. Something I had expected, but it was an eye opener. More to come later...
Monday, April 18, 2011
NCPA
The NCPA has updated their high school paintball page. If you have a club/team register it there. There is also alot of great information there for starting a club. NCPA High School List
Thursday, April 14, 2011
A List of currently active Clubs in Chicago
I am going to start a list of active high school clubs. Right now I would like to keep it to the midwest area, prefereably the chicagoland area where my club is located. I know there is a list kept on the NCPL website, but I have tried to contact many of the "contacts" on that list to no avail. It seems that list is not maintained regularly.
Chicago
Willowbrook
St. Patrick High School
Lane Tech High School
Hinsdale Central ?
Chicago
Willowbrook
St. Patrick High School
Lane Tech High School
Hinsdale Central ?
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Student Recognition
While working on your club, do not underestimate how important student recognition is for the kids involved. This works for the club in two ways: keeping your current members regular and bringing potential members into your club.
Anyone who teaches, or has teens of their own knows that teens are intensely focused on "looking cool." You can do some things for your club to reward your kids with the attention they want.
First, get some jerseys. Don't go out and buy $60 jerseys as your first club purchase. Save your money for other things. You can, however, buy long sleeved shirts with your club's logo, and your kids' name and number on the back for about $15. Go to a local screen printing place for this. Charge $20 for the shirt, and you have your first fundraiser.
Second, Pictures and video. Take lots of both, and put it on your club's Facebook page. The first time I did this I was amazed to see how many of my kids changed their profile picture to a photo I took of them playing paintball. Kids love it.
Doing both of these things also exposes your club to other businesses (like when your kids wear their jerseys to your local field). All kinds of People will come and tell you how cool it is that you have a high school paintball club. Field owners and local shops will take notice too... something you want to happen.
Anyone who teaches, or has teens of their own knows that teens are intensely focused on "looking cool." You can do some things for your club to reward your kids with the attention they want.
First, get some jerseys. Don't go out and buy $60 jerseys as your first club purchase. Save your money for other things. You can, however, buy long sleeved shirts with your club's logo, and your kids' name and number on the back for about $15. Go to a local screen printing place for this. Charge $20 for the shirt, and you have your first fundraiser.
Second, Pictures and video. Take lots of both, and put it on your club's Facebook page. The first time I did this I was amazed to see how many of my kids changed their profile picture to a photo I took of them playing paintball. Kids love it.
Doing both of these things also exposes your club to other businesses (like when your kids wear their jerseys to your local field). All kinds of People will come and tell you how cool it is that you have a high school paintball club. Field owners and local shops will take notice too... something you want to happen.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Club Constitution
I have created a club constitution template with instructions. You may find the link to it HERE
Allowing non school members in your club
I allow parents and siblings of my high school members to join our outings. I even think it is a good idea to invite your Pricipal and other Administrators Why? I like to allow parents to come because it gets them involved in paintball, and shows it isn’t a violent sport. This is very important because parents can be your strongest advocates for your club.
Siblings under 18 and not attending the high school must have a parent along.
I DO NOT allow friends from other high schools to come! Why? because in my experience rivalries in some high schools run high. Nothing can ruin a club than a fight amongst its members. ESPECIALLY if you are trying to show everyone that paintball isn't violent!
Siblings under 18 and not attending the high school must have a parent along.
I DO NOT allow friends from other high schools to come! Why? because in my experience rivalries in some high schools run high. Nothing can ruin a club than a fight amongst its members. ESPECIALLY if you are trying to show everyone that paintball isn't violent!
Requests???
Please don't hesitate to put requests for specific things in the comments. I am here to make your job of starting a club easier!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Starting a Paintball Club in High School, Part 3
Third and final installment:
6) The most important thing, however, will be finding a faculty sponsor that knows paintball and can help advocate for you. Above all else this can swing an administration that is “on the fence” about your club. Foster this relationship! Walk around school with a Paintball Magazine, anyone who loves paintball will say something to you about it (including teachers). OR Be straight forward and ask a teacher you like.
7) Check to see if any schools in your area have paintball clubs. I know of several in the Chicago land area.
8) No doesn’t mean never! If at first you get a no answer, ask why? It is probably because of liability. A 2003 study showed that more kids are injured in Track and Field than are in Paintball (This study is available on the High School Paintball Promotions Facebook Group). Also “no” just means the club can’t be official. Other clubs have this relationship: High School Hockey is generally considered an “unofficial” club in Illinois, but it doesn’t mean those high school teams don’t exist. Get your paintball friends together play once a month, volunteer as a club to help out at the school (clean, setup/breakdown before assemblies, etc.). Show the administration you can be a responsible, contributing member of the school.
BE PERSISTENT! This really is something worth working for!
6) The most important thing, however, will be finding a faculty sponsor that knows paintball and can help advocate for you. Above all else this can swing an administration that is “on the fence” about your club. Foster this relationship! Walk around school with a Paintball Magazine, anyone who loves paintball will say something to you about it (including teachers). OR Be straight forward and ask a teacher you like.
7) Check to see if any schools in your area have paintball clubs. I know of several in the Chicago land area.
8) No doesn’t mean never! If at first you get a no answer, ask why? It is probably because of liability. A 2003 study showed that more kids are injured in Track and Field than are in Paintball (This study is available on the High School Paintball Promotions Facebook Group). Also “no” just means the club can’t be official. Other clubs have this relationship: High School Hockey is generally considered an “unofficial” club in Illinois, but it doesn’t mean those high school teams don’t exist. Get your paintball friends together play once a month, volunteer as a club to help out at the school (clean, setup/breakdown before assemblies, etc.). Show the administration you can be a responsible, contributing member of the school.
BE PERSISTENT! This really is something worth working for!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Starting a Paintball Club in High School, Part 2
The second installment of pointers for starting a club:
3) About the constitution: The mission statement is the first thing people will see when approving your club... make sure it shows how responsible you and your club members will be, and how you will allow anyone in the school (despite not having gear) join. Have clear rules and consequences for those rules.
4) This will be one of your most important selling arguments: “A Paintball Club will get students who are generally not involved with the school, involved with the school.” Stress this point, and use your petition to back it up! Kids who are involved in extracurricular activities tend to perform better in school. Administrators are always looking to increase student involvement in extracurriculars.
5) You will also need to think about transportation. If you meet at the school before your paintball outing then will you need buses? Buses cost $$$, how about carpooling? How will you pay for everything? Members only, or will you hold fundraisers? Also, don't just say sponsors, have a specific plan in place. Lastly, when, where and how often will you meet?
3) About the constitution: The mission statement is the first thing people will see when approving your club... make sure it shows how responsible you and your club members will be, and how you will allow anyone in the school (despite not having gear) join. Have clear rules and consequences for those rules.
4) This will be one of your most important selling arguments: “A Paintball Club will get students who are generally not involved with the school, involved with the school.” Stress this point, and use your petition to back it up! Kids who are involved in extracurricular activities tend to perform better in school. Administrators are always looking to increase student involvement in extracurriculars.
5) You will also need to think about transportation. If you meet at the school before your paintball outing then will you need buses? Buses cost $$$, how about carpooling? How will you pay for everything? Members only, or will you hold fundraisers? Also, don't just say sponsors, have a specific plan in place. Lastly, when, where and how often will you meet?
2011 PSP Chicago – Register Now! | PSP Events
2011 PSP Chicago Chicago ballers, are you as excited as I am? Looking forward to taking my club here as well...
Badlandz Big Game
Our club will be at the big game April 16 at The Badlandz in Crete, IL. Come say hi... look for the guys wearing Shamrock Paintball Jerseys.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Starting a Paintball Club in High School, Part 1
Interested in starting a paintball club at your school? Here are some pointers from a teacher who has been there:
1) You will probably never get funding from the school (at least not right away), however fund raising is much easier for a club affiliated with a school than one not affiliated with the school.
2) There is quite a stigma that goes with paintball. Most Administrators are old-school, and have images of irresponsible teenagers running around their neighborhood shooting people and buildings. We all know that this generally is not the case, but you will still have to work with it. If you want your club accepted by your school you NEED to show that you are the most responsible person in your school. That means putting together a well written club constitution (your activities director should have some examples, or search the Internet), and get a petition signed by students willing to join your club. It also means staying out of trouble... if you sit in detention several times a week and are disrespectful to teachers no one will take you seriously. This is much like life where it is generally not what you know, but who you know... don't make enemies of the administration. This is also called the use common sense and don’t be a douche-bag rule.
Also remember that, without a doubt, if one of your members gets caught with a paintball marker in school, or running around the neighborhood shooting things or people like an idiot the club will be abolished forever, and any hope of any other schools in the area starting clubs will be gone as well. Again, DON’T BE A DOUCHE-BAG!
1) You will probably never get funding from the school (at least not right away), however fund raising is much easier for a club affiliated with a school than one not affiliated with the school.
2) There is quite a stigma that goes with paintball. Most Administrators are old-school, and have images of irresponsible teenagers running around their neighborhood shooting people and buildings. We all know that this generally is not the case, but you will still have to work with it. If you want your club accepted by your school you NEED to show that you are the most responsible person in your school. That means putting together a well written club constitution (your activities director should have some examples, or search the Internet), and get a petition signed by students willing to join your club. It also means staying out of trouble... if you sit in detention several times a week and are disrespectful to teachers no one will take you seriously. This is much like life where it is generally not what you know, but who you know... don't make enemies of the administration. This is also called the use common sense and don’t be a douche-bag rule.
Also remember that, without a doubt, if one of your members gets caught with a paintball marker in school, or running around the neighborhood shooting things or people like an idiot the club will be abolished forever, and any hope of any other schools in the area starting clubs will be gone as well. Again, DON’T BE A DOUCHE-BAG!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Second Outing
So I took my students out for their second outing about two weeks ago, March 27. Here is a link to the youtube video...
25 plus kids I call a success!. Our next meeting will be at The Badlandz Big Game on April 16th... look for us there and say hi.
By the way find us on facebook, search "SPHS Paintball"
25 plus kids I call a success!. Our next meeting will be at The Badlandz Big Game on April 16th... look for us there and say hi.
By the way find us on facebook, search "SPHS Paintball"
Monday, April 4, 2011
Welcome
For my first post I would like to tell you a little bit about myself. I am a high school science teacher with a few years teaching under my belt. I started playing paintball back when pumps were still common, and the Tippman Pro Carbine was one of the only semi-auto markers available. I have been hooked ever since. Just after I graduated college I started playing paintball on a semi-regular basis with some like minded friends of mine.
When I became a teacher I started dropping hints to my students that I enjoyed paintball, and would be willing to sponsor a club. A few students came forward and mentioned that they would like to start a club. After much effort on my part, our request was rejected. Bummer... 2 years later I moved to another school and tried again. This time we got a "tentative" yes. It would be an unofficial club. We couldn't use school resources (like the bus), but it was a foot in the door. We have made 2 very successful outings so far, with 20+ kids at each outing, and a growing interest base of 50+.
Throughout this process I have learned a lot about getting a club started in high school. I feel very strongly that paintball clubs will benefit the schools that support them. Because of this, and my newfound motivation from my recent successes I started this blog. It is my intention to use this blog chronicle my current paintball adventures, and to support others in their attempts at founding paintball clubs at their school.
Eventually it is my goal to see paintball as an officially recognized high school sport...
When I became a teacher I started dropping hints to my students that I enjoyed paintball, and would be willing to sponsor a club. A few students came forward and mentioned that they would like to start a club. After much effort on my part, our request was rejected. Bummer... 2 years later I moved to another school and tried again. This time we got a "tentative" yes. It would be an unofficial club. We couldn't use school resources (like the bus), but it was a foot in the door. We have made 2 very successful outings so far, with 20+ kids at each outing, and a growing interest base of 50+.
Throughout this process I have learned a lot about getting a club started in high school. I feel very strongly that paintball clubs will benefit the schools that support them. Because of this, and my newfound motivation from my recent successes I started this blog. It is my intention to use this blog chronicle my current paintball adventures, and to support others in their attempts at founding paintball clubs at their school.
Eventually it is my goal to see paintball as an officially recognized high school sport...
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