Try this one

Group, Jul/Aug 2002 by Glista, Laura, Mitchell, Tami, Zirkel, Jayne, Holland, David, Et al

READY TO GO

9 tried-and-tested relationship-builders sent in by youth workers--ready to cut out and file

BIG CHALLENGE MINI-GOLF

This mini-golf-course game can launch a discussion about God's plans for us.

Homemade mini-golf is a perfect activity for a cold or rainy day. Put together two bags, each with the following items: 20 paper cups, 20 paper plates, two pairs of scissors, masking tape, newspaper, and 10 straws.

You'll also need toy golf sets with balls and clubs, which you can purchase from a dollar store or borrow from a local mini-golf course.

Have your group form two teams, and give each team a bag. Tell each team that their job is to create a five-hole miniature golf course using the items in the bag to create obstacles. Tell them they must use cups for each hole, number the holes for order of play, and determine the par for each hole.

When teams have finished building their courses, have each team begin play on the opposing team's course. Award prizes for best team score, best individual score, worst individual score, most creative putt, play of the day, or most creatively designed hole.

After the game, discuss the similarities between our plans for our lives and God's plans for us. Ask kids how God's plan is like following a course they didn't design, how they overcome course obstacles, how perseverance makes a difference, and how teamwork helps.

Laura Glista Lakeview, New York

DRIVE-BY RAKINGS

(Especially good for junior highers) Kids will love this fast-paced and sneaky service project!

Organize a time when your entire youth group can work together to perform "drive-by rakings." Have each teenager bring a rake, plastic forks, and several small notes signed with your youth group's name that say "You've been a victim of a drive-by raking-God bless you!"

Load your group into several vans and drive around residential neighborhoods. Have each van take turns choosing a yard that's in need of raking. When all the vans stop at a chosen house, the kids can jump out of the vans armed with rakes, sneak into the yard, and rake it clean. Tell your group the goal is to get in and out of the yard quickly without being seen. Then have one young person stick a note in the tines of a plastic fork and "stake" it into the lawn.

The random selection and sneaky feel of this project made it a winner with our junior high group-it's now an annual event!

Tami Mitchell Walla Walla, Washington

PUBLICITY PUZZLE

Try this publicity idea to get the attention of your entire church and promote volunteerism.

First, take an 8 1/2 x 11 drawing or photograph of your church, your youth group, or youth room to a local discount or photo-finishing store. Many stores will produce a puzzle of your photograph at a reasonable price (allow two to four weeks' time). Or you can glue your photo to poster board and cut it into puzzle pieces. You'll also need to purchase an additional puzzle of any sort.

After covering a bulletin board with colorful paper, glue most of the photo puzzle to the middle of the bulletin board. Reserve a few pieces from the edge of the puzzle, and glue them several inches away from the main section. Then take the puzzle that you purchased and randomly glue more pieces onto the rest of the bulletin board.

Finally, glue large, colorful letters above and beneath the puzzle that spell out "Puzzled about your life? Get involved at [add your church or ministry name here]."

This is a great way to help people understand the importance of participating in the church and to promote your ministry or group at the same time. Jayne Zirkel Waco, Texas try this one

READYTOGO

9 tried-and-tested relationship-builders sent in by youth workers--ready to cut out and file

try this one

READYTOGO

9 tried-and-tested relationship-builders sent in by youth workers--ready to cut out and file

WACKY BEACH BALL RELAY (Especially good for junior highers)

Use a crazy beach ball relay to teach junior highers about self-control.

Have your group form two teams. Fill two ordinary beach balls each with 16 ounces of water; then blow them up. Set out cones or chairs as obstacles for the two teams to weave in and out of. Give each team a broom or dowel rod to push the beach balls. Set each ball on a chair at the starting line.

On "go," have the first player on each team get the ball off the chair and use the broom to weave the ball through the cones or chairs, around the last cone, and back to the chair, and then pass the broom to the next team member in line. The water in the balls will make them difficult to control and more fun than a typical relay. The game continues until each team member has had at least one turn.

End the game with a discussion about how our relationship with God can help us with self-control and keep us on course.

David Holland Lincoln, Nebraska

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING PURE

Recruit courageous and faith-strong guys to impact a discussion on purity.

Use this idea when you have a girls-only session on purity. Before you begin your regular meeting, let girls know that a few new girls will be visiting but are running late. Recruit some brave guys to dress up as girls, burst into the meeting, and announce they're on the hunt for some cute guys. Allow them five minutes to describe what they look for in guys, what they don't look for, and how they'd go about getting their guys. If you have more time, allow girls to ask these "ladies" additional questions about their dating habits.