This past week, my team and I met at a local coffee shop to fill out our Summer Calendar. Our goal was to come up with “the fun” of the summer calendar. We naturally have our big blocks in place (ie. HS Camp, MS Camp, Mission Trip, serving at VBS, etc.), but wanted to come up with a list of things we could do on a Wednesday night or any random day of the week. Here’s what we got:
15 Fun Ideas for your Youth Ministry Summer Calendar
- Crud War – messy game involving chocolate syrup, ketchup, mustard, mayo (pretty much all condiments), shaving cream, dog food, or anything else that shouldn’t be rubbed into someone’s hair. Middle Schoolers love to get messy!
- Service Project – Everything you do this summer doesn’t need to revolve around fun. Set aside some days to get students giving back. These can be planned and impromptu. Tell a group of girls or guys you to clear their schedule, then take them to serve. You would be surprised how much this will bring your group together!
- Trampoline Park/Skate Park/Surfing – Where you live will regulate this, but our students love trampoline parks!
- Sand-volleyball Tournament
- Dodge ball Tournament – make a bracket, have them form team, and dress up thematically!
- Baseball Game – Is there a local baseball team or sports team? Have the students dropped off and picked up at the park, its easy!
- Pool Party – We do a Middle School Pool Party on Promotion Sunday for the incoming 6th graders. We put all the 6th grade guys at one house and the girls at another as not to overwhelm one persons house with 70 6th graders! This is easy for any grade or group!
- Movie Night – I prefer to pick a opening day movie during the summer and have the student meet me there. Once again, it’s easier if parents are the transportation! What’s coming out this summer? Click here to find out!
- PIE – People Interested in Eating – Pick a random restaurant where the students can meet you each week for lunch. Everyone has to eat, you might as well eat together and have some rich fellowship. Once again, transportation is on them. Announce on Sunday where you will eat on Monday at noon! They want to hang out with you…give them the chance!
- Paint War – This was a HUGE success last year, and we will kick-off the summer with a paint war again! Want to know what you need to pull this off? I did a huge write up on this last year, so go check it out here!
- Waterpark – Take a trip to Hawaiian Falls, Schlitterbahn, Wet-N-Wild, or whatever they call waterparks in your area! This might involve travel, but hopefully not!
- Giant Slip-N-Slide – Can’t make it to a waterpark? Why not make one yourself? A trip to Wal-Mart and Lowe’s or Home Depot for some tarps, painting plastic, shower curtains, pool floaties, baby oil, and dish soap can go A LONG WAY!
- Camping or Hiking – a day trip to a local national park or overnight camping at a state park can be a ton of fun. Older students love to get outdoors to hammock, enjoy nature, and make fires. You could make it intentional with a daily devotional or prayer time.
- Bowling – Who doesn’t love bowling? Okay maybe some people, but even my Middle Schoolers will play one round before darting to the arcade!
- Lake Day – Have a lake near you? Could you invite a church member to drive students around in their boat? Could you rent a boat or a party barge? This sounds crazy, but I really want to do it!
Others Receiving Votes:
- Video Game Night – different people/parents feel strongly for and against this…
- Park Day – soccer, kick-ball, basketball, ultimate Frisbee, flag football, etc.
- Bubble Soccer – better for large events, and costs $$$
- Coffee & Conversation – Pick a hard topic you want to discuss, then provide a time and place for those who want to dive deeper into something difficult with lots of discussion.
- Capture the Flag or an Ultimate Relay Race – Takes lots of planning, but can be great!
What did I leave off? What are some of the fun things you have planned this summer? What are the cheap and easy ideas you have…after all, we gotta protect the budget! Comment below!
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David Hanson: Texas native, Texas Tech Red Raider, M.Div. at Truett Seminary, husband to Ashley, father to Ava, Ben & Madelyn, Student Pastor at The Fellowship in Round Rock, Tx, table tennis (ping-pong) extraordinaire, addicted to coffee. For anything else…you’ll just have to ask.
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