Picnic Planning
AWARDS AT THE PICNIC
The matter of awards for picnic events is so important that it deserves some emphasis in this manual. The giving of expensive prizes or money awards should be discouraged. If awards are given they should in general be simple and inexpensive. It is far better to give a number of inexpensive prizes than to give a few that have considerable value. They should be suited to the age of the individual receiving them. When prizes have intrinsic value, there are those who set out to “win the prize” rather than engage in a friendly contest. When they lose they are often bitterly disappointed. A picnic is a friendly gathering and every precaution should be taken to make it just such an affair. If you have been accustomed to giving prizes the elimination of them will probably have to be done gradually. A more wholesome re-creative spirit is developed if awards are not provided. Events should be made so interesting that picnickers will want to participate in them for the pleasure and fun to be derived, not because they expect some material award. In staging events for small children be sure that all participants receive an inexpensive prize of some sort, such as a balloon or lollipop, if awards are to be given. Young children do not understand defeat. If prizes are awarded, a list of those needed will have to be secured in advance from the program committee. Each prize should be wrapped, labeled, and if possible numbered according to the events on the program. This facilitates distribution to winners immediately after each event. Frequently winning contestants are handed cardboard tickets which can be turned in for a prize at some designated location on the picnic grounds.
