Summer Fun
So, what are you doing this summer? Laying by the pool and working on your tan? - Taking a road trip with friends? - Working 9 to 5 at that killer internship? - Chaperoning at youth camp? Whatever your plans, remember that summer is the perfect time for play with a purpose (see Kevin Carroll's article). Here are a few ideas our team came up with (some silly and some serious) to help you and your friends build relationships and engage culture in your community!
- Get all your friends' old stuff together and have a garage sale. Use the money to help a poor family locally.
- Do a progressive dinner: eat appetizers at one person's house, eat the main course somewhere else, and dessert another place. "Go green" and carpool between houses - or walk - it's good for the environment.
- Have a progressive pool party: Like a progressive dinner, but you move from one pool to another, eating your favorite snacks.
- Sponsor an all-night movie night. Show movies from different genres and discuss important themes over popcorn and milkduds.
- Make your own ice cream! Hold a contest for best new ice cream flavor. Borrow an old crank ice cream maker and whip up the winning recipe to share with your friends!
- Play gennis (golf with a tennis ball).
- Toilet Paper your pastor's house (and then practice servant leadership by cleaning it up - after everyone's had a good laugh!).
- Surprise your youth group by pelting them with water balloons after church.
- Research American consumer culture by spending 24 hours in a Wal-mart Super Center. Count how many times you feel the need to buy something.
- Take your family on a picnic.
- Visit a local homeless shelter and invite them to play board games. Take some sodas and sandwiches. (Let them win, but don't be too obvious!)
- Read the entire New Testament in one weekend.
- Read a non-fiction New York Times Bestseller.
- Read a best-seller that criticizes Christian culture (there are several), and try to relate honestly to the grievances of the author. Discuss with your friends what a conversation might look like with the author.
- Host a "Style Your Sole" House Party for Tom's Shoes. Design your own slick kicks and help a good cause. (www.tomsshoes.com)
- Lead a small group through the Catalyst Groupzine. And of course, make sure you and your friends are registered for the Catalyst Conference!
Got more ideas? Share them with us on our MySpace!