How to Plan Activities for a Youth Group

Working as a youth group leader or director is a wonderful and rewarding way to get involved in the lives of children. Whether working with a church youth group, a youth camp or an after-school program, designing activities for the members of a youth group is one of a youth group director's most important tasks. Here are some suggestions to help you plan activities for a youth group.

Instructions

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      Utilize local resources. Enlist the help of members of the community and local organizations when planning your youth group activities. Some local parks and entertainment centers have special group discount rates for youth groups and class trips. Local theaters and museums also often offer a discounted admission fee to an organized youth group and might have special programs or workshops available to you.

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      Take it outside. Nature activities are a great way for a youth group to have fun. If your youth group is located in an urban area this might involve a bit of travel, but it will be all the more memorable. Plan a camping trip, a hiking trip or contact local barns or equine centers and find out about the availability of a horseback riding excursion for your group.

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      Take into account any members of your youth group that have special needs or requirements. Members with asthma or physical disabilities might not be able to participate in hiking or swimming activities, and wheelchair-bound members will require special accommodations for any transportation services you include. Considering these things ahead of time will eliminate a potentially embarrassing situation and will help you guarantee that everyone in the group has fun.

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      Work within a budget. If you are a director of a non-profit youth group, chances are good that you do not have unlimited resources for planning your activities. Spending your entire budget on one large activity means that any future activities will be restricted and might not be as much fun. A lot of your youth group members and their families are probably also on a budget and will not be able to contribute a lot of money to admission fees and miscellaneous costs. Work with other advisers and directors to decide what an accurate and reasonable budget is for your activities and stick to it

    • 5

      Get everyone involved. It may seem impossible to find activities that a group of teenagers from different backgrounds with varying interests will all want to be involved in, but it's not. Find arts and craft projects or outdoor activities that boys and girls of all ages can be a part of and make sure that you participate in them as well. If the kids see you having fun, they will be more likely to give it a chance.

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