Turn a page in many a wargaming magazine these days, and the reader will likely find a heartfelt concern about a trend called "graying of the hobby". Experienced garners wonder how the hobby loved for years can compete with video games and the onslaught of PC gaming. Yes, war garners know that if only new garners could be hooked, they would return, but how to get this new generation off of the consoles and computers and in the convention door? Recruits, a gaming convention in the Kansas City metro area geared to the novice player, may just be an answer. From the Recruits webpage, "Recruits is primarily designed to introduce new players from all over the Midwest into miniature gaming. New garners, young and old, find Recruits an exciting introduction to Historical, Science Fiction, or Fantasy miniature and board games. Recruits also is an opportunity for experienced gamers to get together to have a fun day of miniature gaming and share in the joy of introducing new blood into the hobby." Many conventions offer the same things, so what is it that makes Recruits so different? The difference may lie in how this convention came into being BOOT CAMP Duane and Laura Fleck are teachers at Lee's Summit High School, and the organizers for the area's newest convention. When administrators asked teachers to build connections with students, teachers throughout the school dusted off their hobbies and skills: Duane and Laura's just happened to be gaming. Not sure what to expect, they were floored when 30 - 40 students wanted to join this "hobby" club. This connection grew into weekly meetings. Sure, many of the kids were playing collectible card game's, but they watched as others played board games or pushed lead around a table and asked if they could join in. More students saw a brief demo the unofficial "club" put on at the school fair and asked how they could become a part of the fun. Duane and Laura knew they had something going, but they wanted the kids to see more. They arranged to use school facilities, set up the concessions, asked gaming buddies to set aside a day to "show off their best game", and the first Recruits hit town. The focus? Show kids what fun gaming is! Bring along a friend! Stretch out in the roomy cafeteria and run some games! The first Recruits had 11 games and 65 in attendance. After two years, the last Recruits could boast attendance of nearly 300, scheduled games of nearly 100, and around 20 dealers including RLPBS, Navigator USA, Neo-Forge, and Victory Force Miniatures. The goal of each Recruits is to bring in new gamers, and this is a goal that has been met solidly. At each Recruits about third of those who attend are students, most of whom are high school age, but students from local colleges, middle, and elementary schools also attend. With numbers growing steadily, staying focused on the student and novice gamer is ever more a priority. ADVANCED TRAINING What does this "student-friendly" convention look like? Admission for students of all ages, even the non-traditional college student at the age of 55, is free. Admission for everybody else is kept to a minimum, $3 per person with no charge for dealer tables. Duane and Laura keep the admission low to encourage experienced garners to attend Recruits and to show sincere appreciation for this experienced support. What proceeds are made from Recruits go directly to the now-named "hobby" club: Organization for Strategic Garners, or OSG for short. These proceeds have made possible the following: transportation to a local hobby store twice a month to shop and game, payment of entry fees for students to attend other regional conventions, and purchase of games and support materials for the students to play after school at the weekly OSG meetings. A visitor to OSG can see a variety of games on the tables: Battle Cry, Star Wars miniature gaming, collectible card games, Axis and Allies, and AH Diplomacy are some of the favorites. After school isn't the only time you will see OSG in action. Various Saturdays will see special events happening, such as DBA. The idea is to have local garners bring in all of their DBA armies, and then teach the game to the kids. DBA is an excellent game for students who can easily get an army and play a full game in the time that is available. One reason for the success of this newly approved school activity is parents and school leaders know the valuable skills gamers learn. The casual observer would know that gaming enhances basic skills like arithmetic, reading, and writing, but the gamer soon finds challenge in other needed skills: analysis, critical thinking and research, cooperation, communication, creativity and leadership. Hands-on learning? What better way to learn history, geography, or the impact of politics? Throw in philosophy lessons in how to handle success and failure, and the only possible result is a win. Gaming appeals to a variety of students: athletes, band students, sk8trs, and those students who would not normally participate in any other school activity. One student remarked, "I like to play football, and I like to coordinate plays; that's why I like to do stuff like this." Last Spring one middle school student asked to have his birthday party at Recruits. When it was time to leave for cake and ice cream, no one wanted to go; his mom had to go home and bring the birthday cake to the convention. Students are just beginning to try their hands at running games. One of the best games Friday evening last Recruits was put on by a high school student named Donnie. His game involved a half a dozen other students who were having a ball seeing what would happen in their version of Lord of the Rings. OFF TO THE FRONT Don't think that Recruits is only for the new garner. This convention could not have grown as it has if it didn't offer something for the more experienced garner as well. Recruits is the place to introduce all forms of wargaming, and even the old grognards sometimes align their games with the intent of attracting new recruits. Most Game Masters put on a show by bringing out their very best games; some even write easy introductory games to attract new hobby enthusiasts. This spirit of friendliness is infectious; experienced garners play along side the "newbie" and offer encouragement and advice about the hobby. Recruits has received support from many local clubs including the Basement Generals, Dead Generals Society, Frontier Army Living History Assn. (Leavenworth, KS), Hatsoff, Heart of America HMGS, Lion's Den, the Manhattan (KS) Maneuver Group, the Role Players Guild of Kansas City, Tabletop Historical Gaming Society, Wetpowder Wargamers, Wolfguard Gaming Club, and many, many more. The one unexpected outcome of Recruits was to bring together all of these groups for the benefit of the hobby. "I enjoy coming to Recruits," says Harold Morgan, a long time gamer and former hobby store owner, "because it's a nice place, everybody is friendly, and that is wonderful." Recruits has tried to return the favor by encouraging the growth of local groups in the community and introducing students to the idea that belonging to a wargaming club can be fun. To this end, local game clubs bring flyers, hang club banners, and share general information about their clubs' activities. Clubs and convention organizers from all around the area are encouraged to send flyers about upcoming shows. The dealers attending, including regionally recognized companies, local hobby stores, clubs, and flea markets, also recognize that Recruits is offering something special and have done the same. Most students who attend do not have the luxury of driving (many may not even have a permit yet!) to a hobby store to shop for games, have a credit card to make on-line purchases, or have the experience to know a great game when they see it in the box. Many dealers bring product to sell, and demo it right in front of their tables. It is a win/ win situation! Students see the great game they just played, and it is right there at their fingertips to take home with them! Parents find opportunities to get early holiday shopping done. Parents aren't the only ones to benefit: experienced gamers have found a dealer rich environment. No one goes home empty handed. Dealers have worked very hard at promoting the hobby at Recruits and have been very generous with donations and prize support. PARADE REST While other teachers have to chaperone Prom or Homecoming, Duane and Laura are required to put on Recruits twice a year. The game club idea has even rubbed off on other area high schools, and students are starting to meet their peers in the hobby. Hopefully, these peers remain friends for years to come. The payoff? Well, come to Recruits, and see for your self! For more information visit: www.recruits-con.com Back to MWAN # 133 Table of Contents Back to MWAN List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 2005 by Legio X This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com