Changing up games

Take a normal game and put a twist to it. This will keep games from being boring or predictable. This can also sometimes remove unpleasant aspects of a game without making an issue of it.

• Some of the game and idea books available can put one in a creative frame of mind as well as provide an endless supply of already created game variations.

• It is also fun to have the group itself create odd or new games (but you may have to stipulate in advance such things as no violence, low cost, level of skill required, etc.). 
• Since some youth work publishers offer money or recognition for new games, this can be extra incentive for you or your group to come up with some "keepers."

• Teens, especially older ones, are often resistant to new games and even more resistant to having their games "messed with." So be prepared for a lot of "We've never done it this way before." However, if you can get them to play it a couple of times, and if it is a workable game, it may soon be one of the "We've always done it this way" items in your group's life.

• This is not a forum for a theology of gaming and what are appropriate and inappropriate games, but these issues should always be kept in mind. I will never forget a youth group (not mine!) that created a new game that involved playing Ultimate with a truck tire - only the strongest and bravest dared play, leaving out a lot of other people.

Koosh Balls

Koosh brand balls are hairy balls without a core. Koosh balls have a 1000 uses, but their best quality is that if someone gets pegged by one it doesn't hurt, and things aren't as likely to get broken as with any other ball. Unlike most soft balls, these can be thrown long distances.
I always had a half-dozen of these handy.
See the links page for more information.

Check-in times at a theme park or equivalent

In a controlled situation where youth are allowed to go out on their own, such as at a Theme Park or a Mexican open market, it is important to have everyone all together in one place and at one time from time to time. Before spreading out have a clear and acknowledged meeting time and place.

• This prevents inadvertent games of tag: sending people out to locate youth who then get lost.
  
• If the group decides to change plans everyone is there and the change can happen immediately.
  
• It is not acceptable for a youth to report for someone else. Miscommunication is too easy in such a situation.
  

Unknown Destination Trip publicity is now posted on document page

What to bring list for Unknown Destination trip

A week before the event, send out a "What to Bring" list. This also can be done playfully. Always include "red-herring" items that will not be necessary for the trip but might cause the participants to guess incorrectly what they will be doing. Do try to think through all the items they will or even might need to have on the trip. Many youth and parents will be concerned about how much money will be needed. As expressed in other posts, it is a good idea to have all necessary costs of the trip - food, fees, tickets, etc. - covered by the single fee charged and to have available subsidies or scholarships). After assuring them that they won't have to have any additionally money, it is well to stay out of any discussion of how much spending money will be needed since this is a completely personal issue.

As soon as I can, I will put a sample "What to Bring"  on the Documents page.

Old programs

An issue, activity, concern may be old hat to you, but may be completely new to them. (You know the old saying, “They act like they just invented sex”).

• Items are new every 4 years (Time to do a Trust Walk again!)
  
• Keep viewing these things from their perspective. If something is new to them, then it is new, no matter how many times you've gone through it.
  
• Always review old programs to make sure that it is still relevant and appropriate (I no longer do Fuzzy Bunnies)
  

Spiritual Risk assessment

Spiritual risks are things that can challenge or break a youth's spiritual foundation without it being rebuilt at the same time.

• If their beliefs are being challenged is there enough time to work through it with them?
  
• Can an adult's or a scholar's understanding of a Biblical passage be unnecessarily complex and faith shaking for the youth?
  
• Are you prepared to discuss the standard “why do bad things happen to good people” and “prove to me there's a God” and “what kind of God would allow this to happen” questions without faltering or getting in a blind alley.