Elf Recreation Stations

Staff Operations Guide

Room Type: Self-Guided, Drop-In Play
Staff Required: NONE (optional 1 during peak times)
Guest Duration: Variable (drop-in as discovered)
Distribution: 5 stations scattered throughout venue
Station 2 Note: Outdoor location

Overview

The Elf Recreation Stations are designed to operate with zero active staffing. All five stations are self-guided, self-resetting, and require no supervision. Guests discover stations as they explore, play what appeals to them, and move on.

During peak times (first 30 minutes after dinner), you may optionally assign one roaming staff member to demonstrate games and help confused guests. This is optional, not required.

The Five Stations (Quick Reference)

Station	Location	Players	Difficulty	Reset Type
1. Reindeer Wreath Decorating	Indoor	1-2	Medium	Self (hang wreaths on antlers)
2. Snowball Toss	Outdoor	1-2	Medium	Self (return bean bags)
3. Toy Part Assembly Line	Indoor	2 required	Medium	Self (balls to bin)
4. Present Shuffle	Indoor (concrete floor)	1-2	Hard	Self (collect boxes)
5. Blind Building Challenge	Indoor	2 required	Hard	Self (blocks to bin)

Pre-Event Setup (One-Time)

Initial Setup Checklist

Complete before first show of the series. Stations stay in place for all 30 shows.

Station 1 (Reindeer Wreath): Paint reindeer silhouette on wall, mount 5 dowel rods as antler points, mark throwing line on floor, hang mini wreaths on antlers
Station 2 (Snowball Toss): Position 6 buckets in pyramid (3 large front, 2 medium middle, 1 small back), mark throwing line, place both colored bean bag sets at line
Station 3 (Assembly Line): Position angled table, place ball bin at top, divided catch box at bottom, fill bin with mixed colored balls
Station 4 (Present Shuffle): Tape out play area on concrete floor, mark 4 delivery zones with point values, place 8 wrapped boxes at starting line
Station 5 (Blind Building): Set up back-to-back seating, place building blocks in bin, laminated blueprint cards in holder
Station Cards: Post printed station card at each location (eye level, visible from approach)

Setup Tip: Once stations are set up, take photos for reference. This helps with daily reset verification.

Daily Pre-Show Checklist (5-10 minutes)

Before Each Show

Quick check to ensure all materials are present and stations are ready.

Station 1: All mini wreaths on antlers, dowel rods secure, throwing line visible
Station 2: 6 buckets in position, both sets of bean bags at throwing line, buckets stable
Station 3: Ball bin full at top of table, catch box at bottom, table angle correct
Station 4: All 8 boxes at starting line, floor tape intact, delivery zone labels visible
Station 5: All blocks in bin, blueprint cards in holder, chairs in back-to-back position
All Stations: Station cards visible and securely posted

Important: If any materials are missing (wreaths, bean bags, balls, boxes, blocks), check lost & found or replace before show starts. Guests notice incomplete stations.

During the Event

Staffing Options

Option A - Zero Staff (Default):

Let guests explore and play independently
Station cards provide all necessary instructions
Self-resetting design means no intervention needed
Staff checks stations once mid-event (optional)

Option B - Roaming Supervisor (Peak Times):

Assign 1 staff member to circulate during first 30 minutes after dinner
Demonstrate games if guests look confused
Encourage shy guests to participate
Answer questions
Check for missing materials
Staff leaves once flow is established

Staff Tip: Most guests understand these games immediately. Only intervene if someone looks stuck or equipment needs adjustment.

When to Intervene (Rare)

Safety issue: Someone using station dangerously
Broken equipment: Dowel rod loose, table unstable, floor tape peeling
Missing materials: Can't find wreaths, bean bags scattered, boxes missing
Guest conflict: Multiple people want same station (encourage rotation)

Do NOT intervene for: Guests playing "wrong" (there's no wrong way), taking too long at a station, not reading cards. Let them play how they want.

Between Shows Reset (5-10 minutes)

Quick Reset Checklist

Walk through all station locations and collect any scattered materials
Station 1: Hang all wreaths back on antler points
Station 2: Return all bean bags to throwing line, check bucket positions
Station 3: Return all balls to bin at top of table
Station 4: Return all boxes to starting line
Station 5: Return all blocks to bin, cards to holder, chairs back-to-back
Verify all station cards still visible and mounted

Weekly Maintenance

Monday (before week's shows):
- Check dowel rods for loose mounting
- Inspect floor tape for peeling (re-tape if needed)
- Check angled table stability
- Verify all blueprint cards intact
Mid-week check:
- Count all small items (wreaths, bean bags, balls, boxes, blocks)
- Replace any missing items
- Clean/dust stations

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Problem	Solution
Wreaths/bean bags/balls missing	Check under stations, around room, lost & found. Replace from backup supply.
Dowel rod loose or falling	Tighten mounting screws. May need wall anchor reinforcement.
Buckets tipping over	Add weight inside buckets (sand bags, rocks) or secure to ground.
Balls rolling off table	Check table angle - may be too steep. Add edge guards if needed.
Floor tape peeling	Replace with gaffer tape (sticks better to concrete).
Boxes not sliding well	Clean floor surface. Check box bottoms for damage.
Guests confused about how to play	Station cards should cover it. If persistent, add visual diagrams.

Safety Notes

All materials are soft/lightweight - cannot cause injury
No sharp edges on any structures
Stations stable and secure
Wide pathways for mobility devices
Stations 3 and 5 require 2 players - solo guests may need to find a partner

End of Event Series (After 30 Shows)

Inventory all materials at each station
Note any damaged items for replacement/repair
Remove floor tape carefully
Store materials in labeled bins for future use
Take photos of final setup for reference next year

Reusability: All stations designed for multi-year use. Most materials should last 2-3 event series with minimal maintenance.