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Youth groups seem to invariably, at some point or points in their life, be in a position where they will need of monies for some activities or upcoming events. When they encounter this moment, they have many options, including:
A). Finding a cheaper option (do we really need to use paintballs that glow in the dark?)
B). Asking parents/guardians to front the needed cash
C). Dine and Dash (followed by a field trip to local police station)
D). Setting up a fund-raiser, asking church, community and family members to help defer the costs.
The game ideas this month will consist of interactive, game-like fund-raising ideas. I will include implications of how to set it up, as well as variations. As always, customize these to fit the needs and resources of your group.
If your group is all set in areas of funding, each of these ideas have community building, non-fund-raising, game-oriented implications.
On my way
Description: The group will have a common destination (i.e. the church). The group will then split into smaller groups that will decide upon a mode of transportation, and how many miles away they are willing to travel. Each group will include at least one adult, and each group should decide upon a manageable, yet somewhat challenging distance.
For example:
Group One will travel to church by bicycle, and will start 30-50 miles away at a predetermined location.
Group Two will roller skate from 12 miles away
Group Three will walk from 8 miles away
Group Four will be ride horses...
Group Five will be jog...
Group six will drive, etc.
When groups and distances have been determined, set a date to perform the travel-a-thon, and print flyers. Ask church, family and community members to sponsor teams as they travel (either by distance or by a general contribution)
Extra ideas:
- This might be a good way to have intentional small groups for a number of months, enlisting some to meet beforehand to train together and plan their route.
- For smaller youth groups, plan one travel mode together, and prepare for it as a whole group.
- Enlist congregation members to join one of the groups, asking them to contribute to join.
- Try to coordinate similar arrival times to have a get-together afterwards.
- Consider a devotion on "pressing onward toward a goal".
Build-a-Sammy
Description: Consider this alternative to a fund-raising dinner. Instead of a formal meal or pot-luck, try a sandwich buffet. Brainstorm a list of breads, meats, cheeses, nut butters, jellies, veggies, fruits, spreads, etc.
Ask the congregation and local vendors for donations of these items--the more and the more abstract the better. Organize a few sides to go alongside the sandwiches.
At time of event, set the items up buffet style. Consider charging either for the whole sandwich (i.e. $6.00 a sandwich), or charge per item ($1.00 per slice of bread, $1.00 a meat, etc.).
Before the event, ask the group to brainstorm different unique sandwiches to post near the buffet table for suggestions. Here are some starters:
- The turkey-nator - 1 slice whole grain bread, 1 slice rye, 2 slice buffalo turkey, 1 slice muenster, 1 slice provolone, 1 smear whole grain brown mustard, lettuce, avocado, heirloom tomato
- Sweet tooth - 1 slice banana bread, 1 slice raisin bread, 1 smear honey peanut butter, 1 smear homemade apricot preserves, strawberries, coconut
Extra Ideas
- You will need to adjust the amount of options based on congregation type and size. Too many oddball options may result in too many things not being selected.
- Instead of having a large group gathering, make a menu, and offer it as a pack-a-picnic or pack-a-lunch event. People can place an order and pick it up at a designated time.
- Combine this with a need for the church or local community. Half the proceeds can support the benefit and half the designated youth group function.
- Have donation buckets out for additional donations.
My Turn
Description: This would be an ideal easy fundraiser for a church wide or community expo. Set up one or more board games, chess boards, checker boards, etc. Have members from the group play a few turns to get the game going, then offer other members from the event to play on a pay-per-turn basis
Example: set up UNO and charge $00.25 a turn, or start a chess board and charge $00.50 a move
Extra Ideas:
- Offer a package deal ($00.25 for 1 turn or $1.00 for 5)
- Consider a longer game (Risk, Settlers of Catan, etc.)
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