Name and Purpose
- Coca-Cola Shush is a quick, fun attention signal for large groups.
- It gives the whole crowd a shared cue that transitions them from noise to listening, together.
a.k.a.
- Cola Quiet, Shush Signal
Age / Group / Time / Space
- Ages 8-16 | Any crowd size | 1-2 minutes | Any large indoor or outdoor gathering space
Materials
- None required
Quick-Run Card
- Leader calls out: “Coca!”
- Everyone responds: “Cola!”
- Everyone together says: “Shhhhh.”
- Group settles into quiet.
- Leader continues.
Setup and Boundaries
- Teach the call-and-response to the group once before the first use
- Use consistently so the group learns the cue over time
- No physical space setup needed
How to Play
- When the group needs to settle, the leader calls out clearly: “Coca!”
- The whole group responds: “Cola!”
- Everyone, including the leader, says together: “Shhhhh.”
- The room quiets. Leader continues with what comes next.
- Teach this cue at the start of the day or session. Repeat it a few times so everyone knows it.
I-OPt Options
- Start: A (Active): Call out the response loud and clear; S (Support): Nudge a neighbour who missed the cue; Q (Quiet): Join in softly; O (Observer): Watch and learn the pattern before participating
- Mid: Not applicable for a transition tool
- Late: Not applicable
- End: A: Lead the shush; S: Help remind others nearby; Q: Participate at your own volume; O: Follow along when ready
Inclusion Adaptations
- Players who are non-verbal or prefer not to call out can join in the “shhhhh” gesture (finger to lips) instead of the spoken response
- Pair the spoken cue with a visual signal (raised hand) so it works for players who are hard of hearing
Stewardship Moment
- No materials, no waste. Simple tools like this one are exactly what makes camp run smoothly without extra stuff.
Consent
- Pre-brief: “We are going to use a quick call-and-response signal when it is time to listen. For those who prefer not to call out, a hand gesture works just as well.”
- No mid-game check needed for a transition tool.
- Anyone can participate at their own comfort level. No one will be called out for not responding.
Risks and Mitigation
- Group does not respond: use it consistently over several days and it becomes automatic
- One or two players keep talking: address privately after, not publicly in the moment
Warm-Up Suggestions
- Teach this cue at the very start of a camp day so the group has practiced it before it is needed
- Run through it twice at the start of a large gathering so latecomers learn it too
Debrief Questions
- Not applicable for a transition tool. This signal is a tool, not a standalone activity.
Cleanup and Reset
- Nothing to collect or reset
