Host a virtual talent show

You’ll need

Device with access to the internet
Access to the internet

Before you begin

Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Take a look at our guidance to help you carry out your risk assessment, including examples.
Make sure all young people and adults involved in the activity know how to take part safely.
Make sure you’ll have enough adult helpers. You may need some parents and carers to help.
This activity’s designed for you to run during an online session. Take a look at our advice on using Zoom and other popular digital platforms, as well as guidance to help everyone to stay safe online. 
Staying safe online: You should supervise young people when they’re online or in radio contact, and give them advice about staying safe. Take a look at our guidance on Scouting online safely.  
Online safety activities: You could run some our online safety activities before this event.

Planning and setting up this activity

Make sure you give the young people advance notice of this so they have time to prepare what talent they wish to share with the group.
Discuss ahead of time how long each person will have to perform.
Some young people may feel they have a talent more naturally than others. Make sure everyone knows this is just a fun way to share a bit about them and showcase an interest of theirs with the rest of the group. It should be fun and not have too much pressure or be intimidating.
You can choose the order ahead of time or pick as the session is happening.

Running this activity

Everyone should join the video call, ideally with their camera’s on if comfortable.  
Explain how today you will be having a talent show on your online call.
Confirm that everyone has had a think about what talent they are going to share or perform with the group and is ready to go.
Talk about etiquette before and after someone performs. Take some time to discuss how people should remain on mute while others are performing unless specified differently from the performer. Remain attentive while each person is performing. When they are complete, show lots of celebration either by coming off mute and clapping, using the reactions, or putting kind celebration messages in the chat. Take time to celebrate after every performance.
Have either an adult or designated young person host the call and introduce each performer.
Have fun sharing your talents!

Reflection

Performances are all about developing skills. Which skills did people develop during this activity? Did everyone involved in the show use the same skills? Not everyone has the same talents, and that’s OK. To earn a top award, people need four to six Activity (or Staged Activity) badges. There are plenty to choose from, so there’s something for everyone. Can anyone think of a skill everyone involved in the performance had? Perhaps you had to think on their feet when things didn’t go to plan during your performance or work through some nerves before you could begin.

This was also a chance to try new things. Did anyone show a very new talent? How did people feel as their time approached?

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

You must run your activities in line with the Safeguarding Code of Conduct for Adults (Yellow Card) and report any concerns to the UK HQ Safeguarding Team.

Online safety: Supervise young people when they’re online and give them advice about staying safe. Take a look at our online safety or bullying guidance. The NSPCC offers more advice and guidance, too. If you want to know more about specific social networks and games, Childnet has information and safety tips for apps. You can also report anything that’s worried you online to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command. As always, if you’ve got concerns about a young person’s welfare, including their online experiences, follow the Yellow Card to make a report.