Games & Activities for Teen Youth Groups
Youth groups, from scouting programs to religious organizations, after-school clubs and community service groups all serve common goals for those involved. Youth meetings provide companionship and a safe place, plus the opportunity to develop a sense of identity, learn team-work, explore common interests, set goals and interact with caring adults. A program with well-planned as well as spontaneous games and activities will encourage your participants to remain interested and to invite their friends.
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Purpose
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Learning Team Work According to YouthGroupGames, several benefits are realized by participation in a youth group. "Games don't have to be all about exercise and fun; they can provide challenges that enable children and young people to learn skills which will stand them in good stead." In "Pastimes, the Context of Contemporary Leisure," author Ruth Russell says that organizations such as the Boy and Girl Scouts, the Y.M.C.A. and the Y.W.C.A were developed in the early 20th century to give boys and girls opportunities to experience "citizenship and outdoor skills...to create better community lives...to acquire appropriate skills for social interaction." These types of groups continue to work on behalf of young people.
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Active Games
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Physical benefits abound as young people jump into fun, active games and relays both indoors and out. Seasonal sporting activities, relay races, silly stunts and games are all fun for the young and young at heart. Games like hot potato, broom hockey, ping pong and Twister encourage team work as well as individual participation. The Marshmallow Kick, Throw and Blow game is lots of fun. Camping allows young people to experience the great outdoors while learning new skills in a different environment. Christianyouthgroup.org and Youthgroupgames.com.au list numerous other lively games and ice breakers.
Mental Games
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Games and activities that encourage knowledge are important. Expanding horizons by incorporating games or contests about other cultures, history, problem solving and other more educational activities is another worthy component of a well-rounded youth program. Trivia and memorization games are fun and important and are easily available through board games, Internet sites and thrift stores. Artistic endeavors or field trips release creativity, while problem-solving games help build math and life skills.
Outdoor Activities
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Great exercise Inner-city, suburban and rural groups benefit from outdoor activities. A game may be devised that incorporates a common goal or a sense of purpose. Try a weed-the-garden relay for fun as well as to help out in the neighborhood. Scavenger hunts, seasonal hayrides, and all kinds of "a-thon's" such as walking, biking, swimming, music and more are fun and physically challenging. Some require more planning than others, but a well-prepared youth leader will find the group responding to organization with the flexibility to be spontaneous.
Service-Oriented
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A youth group may help a community project by building a fun activity around it. If your goal is to fill baskets for Thanksgiving, teens may be divided into teams of two or three people, given a small sum of money ($5, for example) and be challenged to double their money by the next youth meeting. They may organize a bake sale, garage sale, face-painting clinic or other activity in order to double their money to buy food for the baskets. A service-auction allows the community to contribute to an organization in return for help around the house or yard. Teens may rake autumn leaves, mow the yard or paint a fence. These kinds of activities teach team work and business skills and develop a sense of purpose.
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of George Groutas Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Wayne Silver Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Duncan Rawlinson
