Carleigh's Catastrophes: Dalek Shooting Gallery for TEAAM Autism at Fear Fete

The whole team for TEAAM Autism and the Dalek Shooting Gallery Booth
Dark Smalek, Bryan Tibbetts, Mark Yeager, Garrett Yeager, Anna Yeager, Claire Scates, Eric Bedell and Myself

TEAAM Autism and the Metro Whovians worked Fear Fete this weekend, raising awareness, promoting acceptance, and providing a social opportunity for those affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The Dalek Shooting Gallery booth gives convention attendees a chance to shoot laser guns at Daleks and interact with the remote controlled Dark Smalek robot while learning about ASD in a family-friendly environment.

Being the first time we have put all of this together, there were a few hurdles here and there, but all in all, the endeavor allowed us to meet people, spread the word about TEAAM Autism, and raise money. The highlight of the event, at least for me, was this one little girl who kept coming back. We have a way to make the targets easier for little children, and so when she'd come around, we would pull the covers off the targets and let her shoot to her heart's content. She was adorable, and everyone on the team had a great time watching her giggle and play with our toys.

Adults have to shoot smaller targets, because it's more fun if it's a challenge. Anyone who managed to shoot all the targets was entered in a drawing for prizes. Prizes will be awarded this afternoon (Thursday, October 22nd), and announced on the TEAAM Autism Facebook page.

You can be part of the fun by joining us on the convention circuit! We will be bringing Dark Smalek and the Dalek Shooting Gallery to the following conventions, with the help of the Metro Whovians. Come in a costume, or just come as you are, and shoot Daleks for TEAAM Autism! Test your marksmanship, leave a donation, win prizes:

Geekonomicon, December 11-13 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum
CoastCon, March 4-6 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum
Southern Geekfest, April 2nd, at the Forrest County Multipurpose Center

Additionally, all conventions have some element of "cosplay," so if you've never tried it, I'd definitely encourage you to google any character from film, tv, comics, manga or video games + the word "cosplay" and see what other people have done. The sky is the limit, and since it's all for fun, it doesn't matter what you decide to do, as long as you are having fun! This past weekend at Fear Fete, the cosplay around us was fantastic... I even got to be a judge for the Junior Division Costume Contest. Here are some of our favorites: