Surprises: The CROP Walk challenge

The Crop Walk Challenge

This is not, on the surface, a surprise activity, but rather an example of how a program that serves other, more noble purposes, can be jazzed up by adding surprise elements to it. The program, as I have done it, is to challenge each youth group to try to top me in raising pledges for the Crop Walk (a national "Walk-a-thon" for hunger relief). The loser then needs to throw a party for the winner. A result of the challenge is then much larger funds for C.R.O.P. and some fun through teasing and posturing between leader and youth as to who will win.

The surprise enters in when I lose the contest (I'll lose roughly half the time). My parties then can be unusual or surprising. The first time in my current situation I had the Surprise Breakfast. The second time, I hired a DJ and had a dance. The next time? Probably the Find the Party Scavenger Hunt. The youth know that if they win they will receive a memorable if unexpected party.

Problems and Pitfalls:

The "winners" should be the whole group, not just those who directly participated in the fund raising efforts. This is difficult and may generate discussion. In fact, some parents may forbid their children to join the party if they did not work for the fund raising effort. I lean toward inclusion on everything, but in this particular event it is important to recognize that some youth may not have been able to participate in the fund raising effort. And if you pick up a few fringe kids (as will happen with something like the Surprise Breakfast), why not?  Avoid being a literalist about the contest. If it is close and they think they won, admit defeat and give them the party.