The Use of Humor During Announcements Announcements can be used as a “staging point” for humor (runons or interrupters) and often fake announcements can be fun. However, at some point during club, a leader must get up and say real announcements, even if the program/humor announcements were real (because in theory kids are laughing at the humor rather than listening to the content). 3. WHEN ARE ANNOUNCMENTS GIVEN? At any point during club, but especially when a break is needed (for example, to break up three to four songs in a row).
D. Run-Ons and Interrupters What is the difference? • •
Run-Ons = Reoccurring characters with some type of camp sell plot (usually lasts four to seven consecutive clubs). This is similar to what you see at weekend and summer camps. Interrupters = Any humor that “interrupts” club that isn’t a run-on. They can be top ten lists, a joke (Random Young Life Humor Break), a funny video, or anything completely random! Interrupters can often be reoccurring, but don’t have to be every week (such as Deep Thoughts or Top Ten lists).
Why Do We Do Them? 1. Breaks up the routine of club. 2. Sells Fall Weekend or Summer Camp. 3. Gets kids and leaders involved in a positive way in front of kids. 4. Humor — Not all kids like to sing songs in a group (believe it or not); however, most kids love a good laugh. We should be hilarious to kids and give them a reason to come back. Who Does Them? 1. Leaders should not overemphasize being in the funny skits; it should be spread around among multiple leaders who (1) Have relationships with the kids at club and thus need to be set up, and (2) Have the talent and ability to make a run-on skit or interrupter excellent. These two are to be in balance. • Sometimes, leaders who don’t know many kids can be set up with kids by participating in a run-on (for example, a new leader who is going on a camp trip).
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