One thing we do sometimes, that everyone
seems to really enjoy is this. They have all the girls put one shoe in the middle of the
culteral hall (or wherever you have your dances), then with boys on one side, and girls on
the other, the dj will say go, then the boys try to get a shoe. Then they have to find
whoevers shoe they got and then they dance with them. Later we do the same thing, except
it's the girls turn and the guys put down their tie. It's really fun and everyone seems to
love it.
Another thing we did was have everyone get a name tag when
they first walked in. Then we had a list of like 20 things. The title was "Someone
who..." then we had things one there like has a birthday in the month of April, Has
blue eyes, is taller than you, is in a different ward, goes to the same school as you,
whatever. Then you have like 10 of those posted on opposite walls. Also give the
chaperones a list and a couple sheets of stickers (like the little circle ones or
something). Then after every slow song, they go over to the wall and try to find something
about the person they danced with that's on the list. Then they go to a chaperone, tell
them one thing about each other, then they get a sticker.
At the end of the night, they get a guy with the most
stickers and girl with the most stickers, and they got like a 10 dollar gift certificate
for something. You can have the prize whatever though.
Melanie/NM - melrich@worldnet.att.net
At our last youth conference, the youth were earning merits
for various things. We issued a dance card and gave them a merit for each DIFFERENT name
that was entered on their dance card. It was so fun to watch them sign each others cards
after dancing.
Another activity that worked well, was a couple match up
game. We put names of famous couples, giving the girls the girl names, and the boys the
boy names. (The only complication was to make sure each name given had it's match given
for the same dance). Anyway, we had church names like: Adam & Eve, Joseph & Emma,
etc.; Famous names like Bill & Hillary, even Regis & Kathy Lee (not necessarily a
couple, but connected just the same.) We also used several cartoon names like: Mickey
& Minnie, Sleeping Beauty & Prince Charming. Then we came up with pairs like:
What's-his-name, and What's-her-face. Mom & Dad, Him & Her, etc.
Anyway, the youth got a kick out of going around trying to
find their 'other half'. It was a great way to get them talking to youth they might not
know very well. Make sure you tell them they can't change names - we had a boy try to
trade his name to one that matched his girlfriends name.
Another game we talked about, but didn't do, was a hat match
up game. It's basically the same as the couple match up, but pairs of hats could be given
out, and the youth would have to find the holder of their hat's match to dance with.
Eileen - edaniels@easystreet.com
We had great success at our Stake EFY dance. We decorated
the room very elegantly with round tables around the outer edges of the dance floor, lots
of white lights, white picket fence and arbors. As the youth arrived, they were escorted
to their tables by the bishop all dressed up in suits. The bishops would take their order
for one of two desserts offered, and serve them. While they were eating their dessert, we
had a speaker talk to the youth about dating/dancing etiquette. He did a wonderful job. He
told the boys they needed to ask the girls and escort them onto the dance floor. He also
said it was their responsibility to make sure "All" the YW were having a good
time. When it was time for him to conclude his talk, he told all the boys to choose a YW
and escort her onto the dance floor. As soon as all the YM had asked someone and were on
the dance floor, he would start the music. It was amazing to watch these kids throughout
the night. The YW were such ladies, and the YM did such a great job making sure all of the
YW had been asked to dance. It was cool to see the YM offer their arm to the YW. The girls
loved it, and everyone had a blast. They still talk about it to this day!
