Lock-ins -- best practices

Things to keep in mind in order to have a safe and pleasant (relatively speaking) lock-in

• Have an opposite gender counselor commit to staying up all night or get a pair to agree to spell each other. There should be one of each gender awake the entire night, even if all the youth conk out
  
• Have the event in the church or at least close to home so neither you nor any of your counselors are having to drive very far the next morning.
  
• If someone absolutely has to leave early, require that a parent pick them up. This will cut down on kids just deciding they want to leave and eliminate the possibility of misunderstandings.
  
• When the group leaves to go somewhere, remind them of any neighbors, so that they are not disturbing the peace when they are outside.
• Be sure to call the police department and give them a head's up that you all will be wandering around the church all night. If you will be going out at any point be sure to mention it.
• You might bring a spare t-shirt and a towel for yourself to cleanup and refresh in the middle of the night.
  
• Observe the normal precautions of there never being two people alone together
  
• Have lots of food but make sure that there is adequate food for restricted diets and proper precautions for food allergies
  
• Be alert for prank calling and texting in the middle of the night