Shopping with the youth

• Adult sponsors and cooks usually don't like this activity, but it works and is fun for the kids: On a trip or for a big meal where there is a need to buy lots of groceries, divide the group into teams, go to a grocery store and give each team a portion of the shopping list to locate and gather.
  
• When planning a big event that requires shopping, take the planning committee with you to the store. This is a good bonding activity even if it is chaotic and you might get in trouble with the store manager...
  
• Take their suggestions seriously but you can teach them how to read pricing labels and get a good bargain and stay in budget.
  
• For “budgetary reasons” have them choose between two things they want.
  
• Help them realize they aren't just shopping for themselves but the whole group and have a responsibility to satisfy the whole group.