Surprising Variations on themes:

The Surprise

Modify traditional activities in surprising ways. These can sometimes be complete, unexpected surprises or simply an attention getter. For example, a Reverse Progressive Party could be organized by the adults, and the youth surprised when they are served dessert at the first location or the idea of a Reverse Progressive Party can be adopted by the youth planning the Party and its quirky nature mentioned in the publicity.

How to do the Surprise:

This is simply a matter of creative thinking and sometimes can come from brainstorming style planning sessions with the youth. However, the youth need to know that odd, controversial or "impossible" ideas are welcome. This can be done if the ground rules for these planning sessions include the rule that there are "no bad ideas" only ideas that might not be chosen later. All ideas are then treated equally and noted. Only after the creative thinking has stopped does the group go back and pick the ideas that they want to try. If the meeting is relaxed and an atmosphere of good humor is projected, many good ideas can come from such a session. One or two O'clock in the morning are especially good for such planning sessions, since inhibitions are usually lower then.

What to Avoid:

Some youth groups have a tough time being original or dealing with the unusual. This is one of the reasons why many of the suggestions in this blog have to be total surprises to the youth – they would not naturally plan or accept the ideas on their own. Some youth can't even accept minor variations from the norm. I've had youth groups gag on the idea of eating dessert before the main course. However, once a group tries a few unusual ideas they grow to enjoy and appreciate variation.

Variations:

• A Reverse Progressive Party (working from dessert to the appetizer)
• A LockOut - Going to a Retreat Center, but remaining outdoors all night, doing recreation moonlight hikes, worship on a knoll or in a cave . . .
• An unusual "...-A-Thon" (Rock-A-Thon, Bible-A-Thon, CupCake-A-Thon, ...) to raise money for a charity
• A window washing service ("We ONLY do windows") to raise money
• A program on the value of healthy living (rather than always having programs in the negative, i.e. on Drugs, alcohol, sex, etc).
• The "World's Smallest Banana Split" (use melon ball scoops to put ice cream between pairs of banana slices)

Variations on Scavenger Hunts:

• Reverse Scavenger Hunt – go to people/houses and get them to take items on the list.
• Video or sound scavenger hunt – collect specific sounds or actions
• Theological scavenger hunt – interview people, looking for a diversity of opinions  (i.e. "Find someone who believes in reincarnation")
• Sympathy Orchestra – Everyone brings a musical instrument (even if it is a kazoo) and sight read or "jam" with whatever combination shows up.
• An Interior Only Car Wash - (rather than streaking up the cars) do the carpets, dashboard, etc. Perhaps even clean engines.