|
TheSource4YM.com
|
| |
 |
Jonathan's Resource Ezine |
Weekly Resources, Ideas and Articles from The Source for Youth Ministry
Monday, June 23, 2003
|
If you aren't a subscriber of this EZINE and would like to subscribe - it's free -
just pop on www.TheSource4YM.com and sign
up in the upper right hand corner.
|
|
JELLO WRESTLING? Yes, it works!
|
By Jonathan McKee
June 23, 2003
No, we're not talking about girls in bikinis rolling around in Jell-O. But I just
received this email:
Jonathan,
We are having our 5th anniversary party the end of the month and would very much like to
have Jell-O wrestling. Can you advise materials needed and how to get the Jell-O in the
plastic pool?
Terry
Ohio, US
Thanks for the question Terry. I don't claim to have all the answers- but I actually
helped with an event where we did Jell-O Wrestling.
But before I answer the question about "HOW" to do this event, let me first address
another question that I know I'll be asked in countless e-mails. "WHY" would we want to
do this kind of thing? Or, to put it another way, "What on earth do you hope to
accomplish with Jell-O Wrestling?"
Good question. It's good to plan an event with a purpose in mind. Let me save some time
and answer all those people right now. The answer is "Marketing." Yes, marketing.
That's when you do something fun to attract students to the youth group, opening the door
to getting them involved.
I just talked with the youth worker who did this Jell-O event and asked him if he saw any
fruit as a result of this event. Without hesitation, he named three names of regular
attendees that starting coming to the group on that night. These kids made decisions for
Christ that same year. Never thought you'd see Jell-O used for such a noble purpose,
huh?
Jell-O wrestling, Scavenger hunts, basketball hoops, skateboard ramps . . . these are all
tools that we can use to open doors with students.
So how do you do Jell-O wrestling? Good question. Here's what we did.
1. Find a store near you that sells bulk foods. Here in California there is a chain
called SMART & FINAL. We went there and purchased large quantities of instant Jell-O,
enough to make 80 gallons. We got some non flavored gelatin, then added a few boxes of
colored stuff.
2. Get a bunch of large rubber/plastic garbage cans and make your Jell-O. All you need
is the powder, the cans and a garden hose. You gotta love instant Jell-O.
3. Here's the catch. You have to know someone who owns a store with a big walk-in
fridge. We had a connection with a local grocery store that let us use their milk
fridge. We left it overnight and . . . WALAH! JELL-O!
4. Now scoop this stuff in baby pools and you're ready to go.
We told the kids to wear clothes that could get messy, and we did the event outside for
easy cleanup. (Note: Cleanup was anything but easy!) We had guys vs. guys and girls vs.
girls. It was normal wrestling, but in Jell-O. Use your own judgement for safety. It
is slick and it is wrestling, so use caution. We had no injuries, but we were very
careful.
An event like this could bring out a ton of new students. Use the links below to read
more about how to do this.
I WANT TO KNOW MORE!
Read more about effective programming in Jonathan's article about running successful
programs: http://www.thesource4ym.com/howdoi/staffhtrasp.asp
For greater detail, find a whole chapter devoted to programming in Jonathan's book:
http://www.thesource4ym.com/book.asp
I have a saying, "If it's free . . . it's for me!"
Okay, so Youth Specialties needs no introduction. But have you seen their free camp
curriculum? Jump on their website and click on FREE RESOURCES and you'll find new camp
curriculums with daily agendas, games, discussion starters, small group questions . . .
you can't go wrong. Don't miss this great resource!
www.YouthSpecialties.com
For a weekend retreat, use this link:
http://www.thesource4ym.com/howdoi/weekendretreat.asp
If you have any other youth ministry ideas you want to share, please email me
at jon@thesource4ym.com
ENJOY JONATHAN AS A SPEAKER FOR YOUR NEXT CAMP, EVENT, OR CONFERENCE
Jonathan speaks at schools, camps, and youth events all over the U.S. He also trains
youth workers and student leaders at national conferences and seminars. Check out
Jonathan's speaker page and who's recommending him!
http://www.thesource4ym.com/speakers/jonathan.asp
Thanks for being an EZINE subscriber. Enjoy the free resources . . . and you know
where to find even more free resources at
www.TheSourceForYouthMinistry.com
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!
God Bless,
Jonathan
If you have any other youth ministry ideas you want to share, please email me
at jon@thesource4ym.com
Jonathan R. McKee
THE SOURCE
for Youth Ministry
http://www.thesource4ym.com/
|
 |

PRE-ORDER NOW & GET FREE PPT TRAINING TODAY


CLICK HERE FOR MORE

|