Transportation: Hired Buses

• Try to have some adult responsible for an identifiable subset of the youth in order to simplify determining whether everyone is on board.
  
• Bring your own set of acceptable movies to choose from (some bus drivers bring movies that might not be appropriate for your group).
  
• Be sure to have group cash available for the driver's tip. (Currently about $1.00 per person. I usually round up to give them “hazard pay.”)
  

One advantage of a small youth group

Intimacy   In the church growth movement one of the key features is the “small group model.” So if you have a small youth group, you are right on track!  

• A small group allows for more personal interactions (less like herding cattle, more like relationships). 
•  Prayers can be more intimate and personal. 
•  Discussion more specific. 
• You can "be there" for each one
• There is no confusion about who is whom or what their story is

When a group needs to be surprised: Reason #5

Sometimes it is difficult to get teens, especially high school aged youth, to try something new, something different. Often, the only way to introduce a new and valuable activity is to spring it on them. One of the key features of the "Unknown Destination Trip" is that it is a way to introduce new and perhaps threatening mission projects. When youth have done a project once, it is much easier to get them to do it again, as a regular feature of their lives.

Sacrificing for our youth: Dating

This is, of course, a really touchy subject because it touches the core of a person's being. When one is “in love” reason and other considerations are a threat not something to take into consideration. Also, the exact circumstances can vary to a huge degree. However, hear are a few generalizations.

• First of all. A youth worker that is dating is generally not a problem. Even having them come on youth trips and activities can be a good thing if the guidelines are followed.
• There are, of course, inappropriate partners – no matter what the age difference or how strong the mutual love is, the youth themselves are completely off-limits for many, many reasons. This is one of those “love has nothing to do with it” situations. Keep in mind that you will fall in love many times and if one heart wrenching love doesn't pan out, there will be others. If the person is abusive, love has nothing to do with it, get out of the relationship, etc. There will be other opportunities for love. But you don't want to harm your youth be having an inappropriate or destructive relationship. Like it or not you just can't expose them to harmful influences.
• In public settings, interacting with a partner you are not married to needs to be real, but appropriate. You can get away with the same level of Public Displays of Affection as the youth themselves. There are cultural differences between groups, but if an activity is considered out of bounds for the youth, it is out of bounds for you (in public).
• Model good relationships practice.
• You, of course,want to keep your private life private, but you can share little details, such as “I'm sorry if I'm cranky, I'm having boyfriend/girlfriend trouble...”)
• Do not use your youth group as therapists and unload your deepest feelings and secrets. And, with parents, in a breakup do not pit your youth group against your former friend. Model good, mature behavior even if you think it may kill you.

Minimum number for an event

For most events, there is no “ideal” number below which the events should be canceled. As I've said, canceling an event should be avoided at all costs. Put positively, “wherever two or three are gathered together I am in their midst.” If two or three are enough for God they can be enough for us. You can however, make adjustments, since you can talk to each of the participants and vary the plan to make it more fun, more exciting, more worthwhile. Take advantage of the flexibility that a small number affords you.

Find the Party Scavenger Hunt

The Surprise:

Have a publicized, popular event, such as a party, but when they arrive at the site, there is a sign saying that the event has been moved – -with a clue as to where. At that location there is a clue to the next spot, and so forth until they arrive at the party site.

Why do this Surprise:

This idea simply takes a mundane event and makes it memorable. It also gives a group with little in common, as might be the case for a social event, something in common to talk about.

How to do the Surprise:

In most situations there will need to be heavy publicity for a moderately attractive event. Social events often are passed over by youth, some because these events are uncomfortable for them, others because they have plenty of social events to chose from. Most youth will also wait to see "who else is coming" before committing. You may have to resort to "recruiting" at least some of the participants. A successful and fun activity, however, will make other events more attractive. Step two of preparation is to arrange for drivers. In this day and age, most of us are hesitant to allow youth to drive during youth events (as opposed to driving to and from events). Also, it helps in the mixing of a group if kids are thrown together into cars or vans based on the when they arrive at the original site.

Next, the intermediate locations need to be decided upon and arrangements made. Although the intermediate locations can be anywhere, if they are public and/or unprotected locations, the clues may disappear, causing much unhappiness.

In some communities, it might be wise to alert the police that the roving bands of teens are O.K.

Additional hints:

0. The clues can be cute, direct, cryptic or funny. The primary issue is how much time is to be spent trying to find the party and how much time is spent at the party. This depends on the situation. Avoid making the clues so cryptic that they can't figure them out and get frustrated.
1. Provide drivers with a sealed set of the clues and possibly with answers to each.
2. Have a problem solver type person that can independently make good decisions as the last driver to leave the original location. They may need to deal with any odd situations. Some such situations are people who brought friends whose parents thought that they would be only a the church building; someone with a particular allergy that might be a problem; someone who can only stay "for a few minutes."
3. The last driver should probably stay a minimum of 15 minutes after the party was supposed to start and the initial clue should be posted at this original site, because of the probability of late comers.

Variations:

0. Have part of the party or have refreshments at each of the intermediate destinations
1. At each site, have a clue to the next site, but also have an additional, more obscure clue that points to the final destination - allowing some to short circuit the scavenger hunt.
2. Have the event annually and after the first year, make the clues harder and have the hunt for the party to be the primary activity.
3. Have the activity be a mystery party from the beginning and publish along with the general publicity clues to the location - the youth are then challenged, singly, in clusters of friends or as a whole group to solve the mystery prior to the day of the party.

The down side of high self-esteem

As mentioned, both serious writers but especially the popular press regularly attack the Millennials. This is really nothing more than a typical older generation putting down a younger generation. This form of sour grapes has been going on since at least Socrates. Pay no attention to it. The Millennials are great. However, they are not perfect and one of the things that makes them great is also the primary fault line. The down side of high self-esteem and the Millennial generation is that they have an unnaturally good self-image.

• They don't take criticism or failure well.
  
• It is sometimes hard to find someone to do the little, less glamorous jobs.
  
• They expect praise for everything they do and acceptance of every idea they come up with (no matter how dumb).
  
• They have trouble getting and holding a job because the job is beneath them or their supervisor is a jerk that doesn't recognize their sterling qualities.
  

The up side of Millennials and high self esteem

We all want children to grow up with high self-esteem. And there is value to it. As I've said before the Millennial generation is outstanding in so many ways and one of the reasons for this is that they have a high opinion of themselves. This phenomenon has been written up and moaned about by both the serious and popular press and is now well known. The value of high self-esteem includes:

• At least they don't have a whiny poor self-image.
  
• It gives them confidence and willingness to try things.
  
• It makes them want to do significant things rather than trivial things.
  
• It does push them to achieve.
  
• They are more open to see the good in others rather than always being so judgmental.
  

When a group needs to be surprised: Reasons #3

Even though the standard events, the Bible Studies and service projects that are training them for life may have the greatest long term effect on the youth, it is the special event, the unusual, that kids remember and talk about. We need to provide them those memories.

Sacrificing for our youth: alcohol

Many youth workers were not raised to be teetotalers and in fact “enjoy a glass of wine with friends” or “a good beer on a hot day.” Most are confident that they are not a problem drinker and their drinking is only occasional if not rare. So for most the question does not arise that they may have to give up all alcohol except for rare situations. The overriding question is: Is there any chance any of their youth will find out that you drink alcohol. The overriding problem is that since they look up to you, whatever you do is ok for them also. Whether it is legal for them or not will not enter most of their minds. So, as a role model, your “freedom” can be a stumbling block for a youth. Some of them will have a natural inclination to alcoholism and research has demonstrated conclusively that that youth that start drinking alcohol before age 18 will be much more likely to become “problem drinkers.” We don't want to contribute to their beginning of alcohol use.

Not being a teetotaler myself, I would allow myself to drink with friends in other communities, but in any situation where there were people that even knew any of my youth I stayed with coke/pop/soda.

Does it really affect youth? On a trip with college youth, we were at a sports bar to see a football game. I decided that they were mature enough to handle my having a beer. They weren't.

Sleep issues

• Make an agreement with the group to not play bed time games: Lights out will be as late as possible and reasonable, but when they are turned out it is silence until morning (no “grace” period, no animal noises...).
  
• Those who wake early are to be quiet until the agreed upon wake up time.
  

unexpected periods

I have read information debunking this phenomenon but observation has shown it often enough to believe that “stress, heat, and excitement” can trigger a woman's period, as can rooming with a woman who is having her period. Although statistically improbable, on one trip the females of the group I was with, about a dozen, managed 100%. So, the related hints are:

• “Surprise” periods are common at camps, retreats and trips. Always have extra supplies and an adult woman available.
  
• Adult men should not be clueless. If a girl becomes distracted and uncomfortable, needing to go to the bathroom, or perhaps even unwilling to stand up, don't press the issue. You may have to help draw attention away from her and let her slip out to clean up.
  
• Younger girls are much more likely to be caught by surprise than older girls, but even high school girls can be caught off guard.
  

When a group needs to be surprised: reason #2

Sometimes, a group becomes too predictable and static. Maybe not stagnant, but at least lacking a spark, a sense of excitement. This is a good time to throw in a surprise activity. After a few surprises then the routine is no longer routine, but the tried and true and secure, and the new, special activities add a little excitement to the life of the group.

supervision in controlled settings

In a safe and confined area, whether in a camp site, a theme park, a store or a work site with a clear boundary, direct supervision is not necessary.

• At a camp or camp site some form of sign in/sign out can be helpful.
  
• Junior high/middle school youth should still have an adult within reach, high school youth can go off on their own, with their buddy or small group.
  
• Tell them to plan ahead – not get into a line that when there is not enough time to get through it before a meeting time.
  

Sacrificing for our youth: overview

A struggle for most youth workers, especially for those just going into full or part time-youth work is what of ourselves we have to give up for the sake of the youth. Do we have to go against our nature for their sake? Is it hypocritical for us to behave around them in a way other than how we believe?

Focusing on our priority of serving the youth, rather ourselves, means that sometimes we need to give up or change something that we personally do not think is an issue. Or we may have to rethink how we do things or behave in order to be the best example we can be for our youth.

The guiding principle is based on First Corinthians 8:9 (and its surrounding context): “But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” (NRSV) The activity may not be a problem for us but if it can be a problem for the youth then we need to sacrifice for their sake. I'll be posting a few specific examples later.

Prize Surprises: Lockins on the Move

The Surprise:

This program is not a complete surprise, but can have unknown elements to keep interest up. In short, it is a overnight Lockin that doesn't stay locked in. Instead, every hour or two, all night, the lockin changes location and/or activity.

Lockins are generally popular with most groups, but are also, more often than not, really boring. A Lockin on the Move, livens things up for everyone and removes "free time," as well as making it easier for adults to stay alert.

How to do the Surprise:

Plan in advance to work out a schedule of events that covers the night. This may take some research or creativity for the wee hours of the morning, but there are always possibilities. After lining up the activities, begin publicizing the lockin, including at least some of the special activities as teasers for those not particularly attracted to plain lockins.

Make sure that you have adequate supervision and transportation. If the youth need any particular items for any of the events, or any spending money, be sure to list these in the publicity.

One minor but important detail for events in smaller communities or neighborhoods, call and warn the Police what will be happening. They will appreciate the advance notice that the "gang" roaming the street that night are actually a well supervised group of church kids (hopefully).

Some possible activities:

0. A Mall scavenger hunt
1. Late night Pizza
2. Visit an airport
3. Bowling
4. Rent a Video Arcade for after closing time
5. Visit/work at a Night Shelter
6. Visit the Police department or an Emergency room
7. Visit a 24 hr business or factory
8. Midnight movie
9. Visit a rock band's practice session
10. Visit a Safe (?) and scenic view of the city
11. Early morning donuts
12. Visit Someone's farm - doing their early morning chores with them
13. Serve Breakfast at a night shelter or food kitchen
14. Watch the sunrise from the roof of the church or other high place

Problems and Pitfalls:

Be sure to have some backup plans in case there needs to be a last minute change. Some of the options mentioned may have emergency situations come up that eliminates the possibility of your bringing your group that particular night. Communications at some of the situations listed are also erratic and may breakdown - you arrive expecting to be expected and the people there haven't a clue as to who you are and why you are there. Having a couple of optional activities plus the equipment and ideas for games and a program back at the church is always a good idea.

Some activities may take you into less comfortable areas of the city, or more unsettling settings, therefore it is important that everyone have a sense of security throughout the night. Having adequate adult leadership is essential. Also, be sure to warn kids (and parents) of any potentially controversial items.

Be clear in the publicity that the group will be active all night long. Some people come to lockins assuming that they can sleep enough for the their soccer match the next day.

As with all lockins - be strict about no one coming late or leaving early without parental permission and a "hand off" of responsibility.

Publish an itinerary with phone numbers to leave with parent or guardians. Leaving a contact person or at least messages on the church answering machine is an especially good idea.

Variations:

0. Have the lockin in another town
1. Trade Lockins on the Move with another church from another community
2. Add a theme that ties everything together
3. Make it a part of a confirmation program and concentrate the activities on service and learning.

Health warnings for youth on retreats and camps

On retreats, camps, etc., there are a few basic heath warnings to give the youth:

• Always wear some kind of foot covering – cuts on the feet can greatly diminish enjoyment and participation.
  
• Beware of bare feet on hot pavement and sand.
  
• Beware of dehydration, especially if the air is cool:
  
  • You have to stay ahead of it, you can't easily catch up.
    
  • Plain old water is the best hydration.
    
  • The first warning of a problem is ceasing to sweat.
    
  • Dark urine, headaches, stomachaches can all be symptoms.
    
  • A person who becomes disoriented is in real danger!
    
  • They need to cool down, lay down and get fluids
    
• One sunburns easily on cool days and overcast days
  
• Everyone needs a soap shower every day
  

Emotional risk assessment

Emotional risk issues are potential negative reactions to some activity.

• Can someone be humiliated?
  
• Can a person feel that something private is being exposed?
  
• Is there someone too close to a topic (such as a recent death in a family) to have it discussed objectively?
  
• Will something a youth takes seriously be taken lightly?
  

Youth Elders

If anyone out there need specific examples of the value of a youth Elder, let me know

• The Session should have at least one Elder who is a youth (under 18 not under 50).
  • They need to be a full Elder not a “youth Elder” without ordination.
  • Some of the best Elders I have seen were teens. Their churches would have been deprived if they had not elected and ordained those people.
  • Most youth Elders are elected for one year terms, which is problematic (all Elders are clueless their first year) but this is hard to overcome. One church was talking about two youths serving two years each. Another elected them for a three year term in their Sophomore year so they could serve 2 1/2 years before leaving for College.
  • Before their election, take the youth aside and make sure they understand that this is not a figurehead position but they are under the same obligations as any other Elder. They are expected to be at the meetings, prepared and involved. They are to provide their unique insight and effort.
  • Do not let anyone cut the youth slack – they don't need it any more than anyone else. This is just an attempt to put the youth aside.

Compartmentalization

Many youth, especially middle adolescents, keep different aspects of their lives in airtight compartments.

• They may be the “church-boy/church-girl” who, on the Friday night gets drunk, who on a late night gets really vulgar on Facebook, who during school is the teacher's pet.
  
• They do not view this as “hypocritical” and do not see any relationship between these different “selves.”
  
• They may try to keep their different groups of friends rigidly separate. They would consider it “weird” for a school friend to attend their church.

When a group needs to be surprised: Reason #1

Some groups, especially a group of highly religious youth, are just too serious! Full of stress and anxiety, they simply can't let down and enjoy the life that God has given them. It is fine to appreciate their desire to be productive and spiritual, but... sometimes, to come to an appreciation of God's good creation, they simply need to lighten up! For us to help them in this generally means catching them off guard. With some youth groups if we scheduled a mission project we'd get a good turnout but if we scheduled a fun night, few would come - homework comes first. (I know, I know, I've had groups that only came on fun nights, also. But super-serious youth groups are very common.) These are kids that need us to surprise them, to catch them off guard, to play with them. It is truly a joy to watch a group of very serious young adults let down and, at least briefly, become the children they should be.

Priorities: Youth

We say that the youth are our focus, but that should be evident in what we do, say and believe.

• Our goal is not to make them just like us, agree with us, hold our beliefs. Rather, we are to help them find who they are, and develop beliefs that are intrinsic
• We need to be alert to and afraid of adulation that goes to our head. This is not good for anyone.
• We need to know what they prefer, want and need. This changes from year to year and from group to group.
• Outside agendas, such as “We've never done it that way before,” “that's not acceptable behavior,” “we need to preserve (older music/particular games or songs/traditions/ways of saying things),” “but I don't like that (“I” is not a factor in youth ministry),” “we don't want to upset the Elders,” … are way done the priority list. They can be considered but the current youth and their needs, wishes and concerns come first.
• We need to know their culture. We are not to buy into it or mimic it, but to know understand and adjust to their culture.
•   We need to cut them space and slack.
•  In pictures of youth group activities, especially public ones, are you the center of the picture or are your youth? 
  
  There are things that will help them in the long run that they might not accept or agree with. If we are really sure it is for their benefit, then we may need to be willing to be unpopular with them and insist on it.
   

Travel by vehicles -- pit stops

• It is easier to set a target stopping place and meet there, but this rarely works – some kid is going to be desperate for a stop somewhere before the designated location. This kid is almost always in the last vehicle. This sometimes sets up a game of tag as you try to get back together or perhaps a group ends up waiting by the side of the road, bored.
  
• Instead, have the vehicle with the desperate kid in it call to the lead vehicle to pick an exit and call back to the other vehicles what exit they are getting off at.
  
• Pit stops take forever. Plan on it.
  
• You should plan on a stop every 2 hours.
  

We can mis-perceive a youth's attitude

We also can also misperceive things. This usually based on a misreading of an expression. Many youth have a negative “face at rest.” In other words, when they aren't thinking anything in particular nor having any particular emotion look like they are ready to bite someone, break into tears, or fall asleep. I've had youth that I was sure hated what we were doing tell me afterward what a great activity it was and how much fun they had!:

• Assuming that someone doesn't like us or our program
  
• that they are bored out of their heads
  
• that they don't like a particular activity
  
• some youth workers assume without asking or trying that their students wouldn't like some activity such as role playing and drama – in almost all cases this is a mistaken assumption
  
• That two kids are enemies when actually they hardly know the other exists
  

Always be dubious of assumptions and try to verify or test the assumption, either through a direct question or calling for “input” from participants, including the youth in question.

When someone seems to have a bad attitude for the day

When someone seems to have a “bad attitude.” Keep in mind that you cannot read minds (I'm quite confident of this!).

• You probably can't guess what the person is thinking or what is going on inside them and guessing can get you in trouble.
  
• Even if you are somehow are able to “read minds” and know what the problem is, it is best not to reveal it because, 1) if you are wrong, it can alienate or cause grief or 2) if you are right, it may spook the person.
  
• If you have particularly good intuition, use it to be sensitive and to “allow” conversations to open up the possibility of a youth to reveal their troubles or concern
  
• Do give them some gentle positive attention
  
• Otherwise treat them as if they are normal and everything is ok
  

Prize surprise:Come-as-you-are Breakfast

Surprise Come-as-you-are Breakfast

This surprise can be as elaborate as you wish, everything from a surprise trip to the favorite fast-food restaurant to a four course meal. The more elaborate approach will be described here in order to show the possibilities. In brief, the surprise is to prearrange with parents so that you can come get the youth bright and early and without warning on a Saturday or Sunday morning to take them out for breakfast.

Why do this surprise:

There are several values of this type of surprise. First and foremost, it gives the youth something to talk about for years to come. It also tends to bond a random combination of youth since the group that will be gathered in such an activity is quite random no matter how systematic we are in trying to have everyone participate. Since the parents are the one's making the decision whether a youth will be participating, this type of program will often reach kids that might not otherwise participate in youth activities. Finally - this amuses parents to no end.

How to do the surprise:

To start out, decide what type of breakfast to do, and to find a date that is relatively free in the lives of your youth. Next call or write parents well in advance about the plan. I try to call all parents, since teens often go through the family mail before the parents get home. In talking to the parents, extract a promise to keep the plan a secret even if their kids will not be participating.

The starting time is a balance between being early enough to catch the youth off guard and before they have to be at other obligations and not so early that it is a problem for the parents. I usually have pickups start at 7a.m. on a Saturday.

Once a list of youth who will be involved has been compiled, divide the names geographically then recruit a set of drivers. It is ideal if the drivers are also adults that are otherwise connected with the youth such as Youth Group sponsors and church school teachers. This will make the pickup less stressful for the youth and help bond youth to leader.

The drivers are to all start pickup at the same time but in different areas and work toward the destination. As prearranged with the parent, the driver (and any already picked up youth?) go to the door, rouse the youth and inform them that they have 30 seconds to be out the door for a surprise breakfast and that they will be returned home at xxx o'clock. (The "30 seconds" business is to give the youth time to get ready enough to be comfortable about appearing in public before they leave - the idea is amuse not humiliate. This will be essentially "come as you are" but not in the extreme.)

Proceed to the breakfast spot. A fancy breakfast adds to the festive and entertaining nature of this event. Since many youth have other obligations on most mornings, year round, it is probably important to plan to have the event end early, no later than 10 a.m. on a Saturday morning for example.

What to avoid:

First and foremost, drivers should not argue with or force a youth who really doesn't want to participate. This is supposed to be a fun event and it can be spoiled by someone being there who is seriously angry about it. A little teasing and cajoling is fine, but graciously relent if they set their heels.

Also, do not make too serious an item about the event. This is strictly a fun thing, and if done lightheartedly, it will be appreciated by the youth.

If a public setting is chosen, like a fast food restaurant, be especially sensitive to the social sensibilities of the individual youth and how they are willing to appear in public, we do not want anyone to feel humiliated by the experience.

Variations:

Have it at the church

Have it in a fast-food, or breakfast restaurant

Have it at someone's house

Have it on the front lawn of the church

Have it at the beach/shore/lake/city park

Combine it with another event - if a group of youth are signed up for a retreat, trip, outing, fund-raiser that day, treat that group to a surprise breakfast.

A group needs a major activity every year

It helps a group tremendously to have a big project, preferably early in the school year. It is one of the best things you can do for group development.

• It is a bonding experience and after the fact (after all the trauma, panic and anguish) they feel proud of themselves collectively and individually.
  
• Some ideas: Party for children; a service project; invite area or denominationally related youth groups to a Rally; an inter-generational event; a congregational dinner...
  
• The youth themselves need to plan and design the event and they need to do all the preparatory work.
  
• 
  It is best to not repeat the project year after year but to vary it from year to year (try a 4 year cycle)
• Publicity is the hardest for younger youth to get organized in time. They may need help here.
  
  

Travel: flying: luggage

• Most airlines are currently charging a fee for one or both checked bags that are allowed. Insist the youth pack in as little space as possible.
• If the group has any group luggage, specifically assign each to a youth and put the youths name on it. They need to be clear that they are responsible for it from the time it is given to them to the time they deliver it at the destination lodging.

Priorities: Church from the Churches perspective

• Church people tend to view a youth program as being “out there” and not really a part of their church. There's even a subtle or not so subtle view of the youth program as a missions project or evangelism program.
  • This can be used to the advantage of the youth program.
  • However, in the long run it isolates the youth and keeps them from being a factor in the life of the church
• Do not let the youth to be viewed as the table waiters or gardeners of the church
  • If this is all they are called on to do stop it. Refuse to allow them to do these tasks until they are also church officers, committee people, liturgists and any other adult responsibility
  • Look for ways of making them publicly visible. Mission projects and fund raisers are good for this.
  • Have the youth participate in all church activities (even congregational meetings).
  • One of the things that speaks loudest to a congregation about how the congregation views youth is to have a teen (in jeans?) serving communion next to a patriarch/matriarch of the church.
• Remind budget people that 80% of Christians committed themselves to Christ before the age of 18. From a marketing perspective, where should the emphasis be?
• Remind church leadership that attracting youth means attracting whole families
• Have a prominent bulletin board in a main area of the church (Sanctuary lobby?) that highlights the youth program. You can also put news items that feature the church's youth on it.
• Have an annual youth newsletter that lists and highlights the entire youth program and mail it (electronically or otherwise) to the entire congregation

Surprises

What would your group think if they showed up for a Party and it wasn't there -- but had been moved, with only a clue left behind pointing to the new location (maybe)? How would they react if a rather serious discussion was spiced up with a little pizza and a change of location? Who in your group would object to a Lockin or a Retreat that was a little out of the ordinary?

In my ministry one of the defining features was the probability of the unexpected. I specialized in the unexpected. However, the surprises were not random or on the spur of the moment. Each, from the tiniest program tweak to major surprise events were carefully planned so that they wouldn't go awry or have unforeseen consequences. For the next so many weeks I will be mixing into my blog entries about surprises. In keeping with my practice of not covering one subject from beginning to end and possibly losing people that are not interested in that particular subject, I will spread these out. However, as with other topics, you can click on the “Surprises” topic and get all the blog entries up to that point in time. I will have two types of entries, theoretical issues (why, when, things to watch for) and details on specific surprise activities.