Summer 101: The Great Race

Summer is almost here- the best and most important time of the year for youth ministry!  Here's another idea for anyone still looking to fill holes in your summer student ministry calendar! For even more suggestions, click the Summer Ministries tab at the top of this blog. 

If you are looking for a summer event that will draw a crowd and put a quick end to those old "church is boring" rumors, then The Great Race is for you!  It's simple to put together and loads of fun.  It works for any size group.  And it's time tested.  We did them when I was in high school- you know, before electricity!  :)  It's a great entry point event for new students and friends of your current youth.  It just screams COME AND SEE US!!!

Here's how it works.  You put together a relay race featuring 10 to 12 events, and divide your youth into at least 2 teams.  The larger your ministry, the more teams.  Each team then decides on a team member to complete each leg of the race.  Pretty standard stuff, right?

Here's what make it interesting- diversity.  You can have a couple of events that require athletic ability, such as a distance run or a free-throw shoot.  But then, you just need to go crazy.  Use the old "eat crackers and whistle" routine.  Maybe break out the classic Chubby Bunny.  Have someone sing one of your favorite youth group songs from memory while being blasted with a water hose.  Use brain-teasers and math problems.  Have someone chug a Coke and belch.  Have someone improv a dance to a song you know your youth really can't stand.  Ask youth group trivia questions.  Get one of your adult volunteers who can do a "stone face" and have one of the tasks be to make them laugh.  Be as creative as possible- and as inclusive.  Try to have events everyone can be comfortable doing.

And then have a big finish.  Make each team gather at the finish line and accomplish some things together as a team.  I usually gave each team a bucket of water, a tiny paper cup and a 2-liter bottle and made them fill the bottle by passing the cup back (always touching EVERY team member) to the bottle.  I always had them make up a team cheer (with movements); and the finale was for each team to build a pyramid using all team members.  Great moments, great memories and great photo opps!

So there you have it.  Many of you are far more creative than I, so add your own twists and have a Great Race this summer.  Here's my guarantee- have this event once and your students will make certain it becomes an annual event! 

Because of Jesus,