TEACHERS
1. A slideshow guide for teachers (There is also one for parents/families on the Home page.)
2. The video from our meeting with the teachers.
3. A teacher's checklist.
4. An email archive for each year's event.
5. Downloadable documents and many other resources.
Helpful Notes
Movement Instructions
The field activities are based on the 6th grade movement curriculum. Dr. Edmund Knighton's $60 downloadable book provides instructions for Pentathlon and Medieval Games plus much more. An excellent, one time investment.
https://www.movementacademyproject.com/shop/p/how-to-teach-movement-activities
For your archery practice Dame Heidrun recommends recurve bows based on student's eye dominance. Draw weight range should be 15-25 lbs with beginners starting at the 15 lb weight.
Teacher's Checklist
Keep an eye out for updates.
Registration Forms and Payments
Forms and payments for squires and adults must be mailed by December 1st. For volunteers who can't submit their form and payment with the class', please refer to the Adults & Alumni page for more information and a downloadable registration form.
An invoice template to submit with your payment is available below. To use the form, complete all the italicized fields and column and print.
The Squires Challenge
This is a great opportunity for your squires to learn more about the virtues and work on self improvement and service to others.
Tabards & Coat of Arms
Each squire is required to wear a tabard with a coat of arms at the Games. Each squire should create a coat of arms reflecting their own interests. Many schools have a supply of tabards that are use year after year; each squire attaches their coat of arms onto the tabard. More information can be found on the Squires Page.
Recruit volunteers
It takes a village to make the Games successful. We never have too many volunteers!
Camp Watch
Each school is responsible for providing 2 overnight chaperones, preferably one female and one male, to camp with the students. If you have a large class you may want to recruit additional overnight chaperones. Chaperones should sleep in their own tents.
Your Medieval Garb
All teachers and any adult to is asked to work on the field, must be dressed in costume. We do not want this to be a financial burden or stressful for anyone. Bargain shopping and creative use of items in your closet are excellent resources. No one is grading on authenticity.
Medical Forms and First Aid Kits
Each school will be responsible for providing and maintaining the Medical Information/Release Forms and a first aid kit.
The Medieval Games team will provide electrolyte packets and ice packs for all attendees as well as a first aid kit for not working on the field.
Staves & Stave Fencing Rules
Please bring enough staves for each student in your class. The staves should be wooden dowels that are 4' long and 1" in diameter. Either pine or oak staves are acceptable. The staves should be clearly marked with your school's name or initials so they can be easily sorted and returned to you.
Stave Fencing Rules
First, squires will acknowledge each other with introductions and a handshake.
Strikes must be clean. Directly to the head, the side, and the foot.
Squire must self-regulate their movements/strikes. Any injury to an opponent is disqualifying.
Strikes will not count if they are between specific body parts (no mixed messages or feints).
Foot strikes must be delivered from a lunge position.
A strike must reach the opponents body to qualify as a hit/point if it beats a perry.
Squires must step toward their opponent with each strike.
Retreating or stepping back from an incoming strike without a perry will cost that participant one point.
The first participant who scores 2 points is the victor. The opposing participant takes a knee.
Vigil Letters
There is a TWS tradition that we would like to share with you and encourage your class parents to take up, Vigil letters for the students. Vigil letters are heartfelt letters written by family members or close family friends that share the noticeable positive growths, aspirations, or strengths in their squire. The family member/close friend can also share their appreciation of the squire on rising up, taking a greater role on the home front, overcoming fears, stepping outside their comfort zone and/or completing the Medieval Games and achieving Knighthood.
Teachers may choose to give the newly knighted students their letters on Saturday morning before the closing ceremony or upon departure from the Ranch. Of course, if not every student receives a letter, the letters should be delivered privately.
Your packing list...
Your costuming for the duration of the event and personal gear. Click here for more information.
A first aid kit for your class. We will provide electrolyte packets and plastic bags for ice.
Tents, tarps, & tent stakes It can get windy
Staves for your class.
Camp lanterns (if you are a larger class, please bring 2 or 3).
One or two heavy-duty crates to hold the shire's water bottles during field activities.
Extra water bottles in case a squire looses theirs. We do not provide bottles or cups .
Food for the road. The Games end at noon. Please make plans for food for the drive home.