Start of the program year event

At least once a year have an event, perhaps a beginning of the year picnic, that is clearly not related to “youth group” “Sunday School” or other specific activity.

• Call each youth in the week before to personally invite them. Besides assuring a good turn out, this will clean up your rolls (disconnected phone number, “we don't go there anymore,” etc).
  
• have all who work with youth in any capacity be there to hang out with the kids. Introduce them to the group as a whole, give them 30 seconds to speak to the group.
  
• Have youth who have participated in particular events lined up to tell about the event.(Warn them to focus their remarks on the good things, and not go on and on about the heat or mosquitoes.)
  
• Have PowerPoint shows scattered around on laptops or projectors showing last year's events
  
• Have sign up sheets for events and particular needs, e.g.: Child Care workers; Sound system; Church School teachers; Any other service opportunities for youth available in your church.