Need advice to set up school Pokemon Club but too scared to start thread under Extra-curricular activities

[Iceflower]

Well, exactly what the title said

I know this isn't SN, but hope no one will mind me posting here.

Ds (9, AS) is Pokemon-obsessed and considers himsef a bit of an expert. He moans that there is no one at school to discuss Pokemon with. He has a limited number of friends and he's in danger of scaring them off . He does have an older child that he plays Pokemon with occasionally, out of school.

We had a chat and came up with the idea of setting up a Pokemon club. I did a quick google and it seems they are quite common in the US. What I'm hoping to hear are tips from anyone who've set up one in their school, eg

• was school agreeable
• how to publicise
• did you run it (I have HL CRB)
• time of day/frequency
• did you charge for expenses
• what sort of things you did
• any pitfalls

Thank you very much for reading

Please don't run from extra curricular! We may talk about dance and music most of the time but we're always up for something different!

And lots of us with dancing girls also have video and game playing boys y'know....

OK, gettingalifenow, will be brave and try .

Anyone here, would still welcome any input. Thank you!

My son set up a YuGiOh Club in Yr 6 and again in Yr 7. It helped that he had been to some tournaments outside school and so had an idea of how it might run. It basically consisted of a group of boys meeting in an area of the school at lunchtime with a parent (me) supervisor. I think they did it in a class with a tutor present at secondary but this one fizzled out pretty quickly.

Pitfalls would definitely be issues over swapping cards, kids not knowing the value of cards and therefore getting ripped off by card sharks, heated arguments and potential fisty cuffs!

One good idea was to pull names out of a hat for the matches and have league going. You might need someone to intervene in any disputes or questions over rules etc. My son also gave cards out as prizes. It sounds like you could have issues with differing abilities - experts and novices etc. Some kids cannot cope with losing.

Another pitfall could be contraband cards in classes which will lead to them being banned. Moshi Monsters have just been banned at DS2's school.

Good luck!

Not much help on the organisation of such a club I'm afraid, just wanted to say my ds1 (10, AS) and ds2 (8, NT) would both be there like rockets if it was being run at our school.

You might be able to pick up some tips or ideas on this website.

Thanks, Niceweather. That is very helpful. Ds has said he would like a lunchtime club, and I guess the numbers would be limited to comply with adult/child ratios, 8 I think?

Moosemama, I will go and look at that website.

A plan is coming together :D. Next step, a chat with the headteacher!

My DS goes to a Pokemon/Yu-Gi-Oh club, not through school but in the evenings (45 min drive away but worth it ). Most of the children play on DSs but some have cards. It costs £3.00 and there are snacks to buy (which would be problem in school I know). Under 12s have parents there and we drink coffee and eat cake.

The reason this one works for my DS (AS, 10) is that they organise absolutely nothing at all. the children just rumble around playing between themselves and it is fascinating to watch how they merge and split groups, talking all the time while also immersed in the games. We don't go every week, but there has never been a spot of bother or argument other than the mildest which blows straight over.

I think just start it and work it out as you go along. Ask the children what they would like. Is it a big school? Could a neighbouring school join in? Or could you do it independently of school?

Just some ideas - good luck!

No advice but 'can i send my dd1?' she's 8 and loves pokemon, she has AS and has several friends who like pokemon (all boys).

andperseand, thank you for writing about your ds' club. How did you find out about it? I've been searching locally for one but with no luck. I think I will do what you've suggested, and just start it and see how it goes.

Marne/Moose - it just goes to show there is a demand out there! Rather than social skills groups, maybe schools could set up Pokemon/Yugioh clubs :D

Iceflower, I will pm you a web link and a bit more info if you like?
It will be a bit later as DS is yelling from the bath and I should stop hiding out on here

Thank you!

oh god i wish you lived near me. DS1 would LOVE a friend to talk pokemon to! lol

*thisisyesterday" and "marne" I wish you were near too! Perhaps we could set up a virtual club

I have made some progress with setting up ds' school club. School are for it, saying it would meet a "certain group's needs" , so we just need to sort out the logistics.

Thanks for all your help

I think the idea of a club that sounds great, unwind time, potential to make like minded friends and impress NT kids, but no stealth teaching outcomes eg. Social skills etc. Love the idea of letting them off their leads as it were.
Wonder if I could persuade DD (y5 in sep) to start a pipe cleaner club for when DS1 starts at her school in Sep! At their school kids are allowed to set up their own lunchtime clubs with just a little input from teachers at the start although teachers have been known to take over I'd they're interested in the theme.

SilkStalkimgs stealth teaching outcomes That's a good one (!), and something I resort to all the time at home.

Your school sounds great!