It's almost summer--and a great time to connect with your CLG members outside of your regular group meeting time.
I know, I know...
Many of us are crazy busy in the summer. But having fun with your CLG is vital to the health of your group ... and fun CLG nights are also a great way to introduce new people to your group before they attend one of the regular lesson nights.
Here are a few ideas for fun (and relatively inexpensive) CLG activities:
- Photo scavenger hunt: Bring several digital/disposable cameras and break up into smaller teams (4-6 people) in a fun area like Pike Place Market, downtown Tacoma (you can even ride the Link for free!) or Ruston Way. This activity does requires a little bit of advance planning by the host (to come up with a list of things to find and photograph on the scavenger hunt). However, I've seen some that are fairly simple--teams have to take pictures of something representing each letter of the alphabet, for example.
- Bowling
- Laser tag: Laser Quest in Federal Way is a great location--we took a young adult group of girls there last year and had a blast! (Plus, no one gets pelletted with paintballs.) This would be a good activity for any CLG--but particularly family-friendly.
- Pt. Defiance Zoo
- Miniature golf
- BBQ
- Bonfire...with s'mores of course!
- Game day - Volleyball, bocce ball, Bunko, and/or Frisbee golf
- Progressive dinner
- Movie night with some kind of interactive twist. For example, several years ago youth hosted a "Napoleon Dynamite" night with a costume contest, trivia game, food from the movie, etc. Many local parks are also hosting family-friendly outdoor movie nights that could be fun to attend.
- Community service: At the Christian college I attended (Trinity Western in Canada), all of our small groups had a volunteer day at least once a year where we got involved in some kind of service project for the community ... painting a room at a church, helping an elderly person with yardwork, singing at a retirement center, etc. What's cool is that by doing something together, we bonded more as a group and also helped our community.
At Champions Centre, every month we have an opportunity to serve our community through the Justice Project. Visit Guest Services to find out more information.
What are your summer fun ideas?
And don't forget...if you're planning a fun CLG event, keep us in the loop--and invite your Area Coordinator. Fun events are also great for inviting new potential group members.
Have fun!
Jonita