Event Ideas & Activities If you have already taken a look at the Event Timeline and the Who, What, When and Where, you are ready to use this section to hone in on specific elements for your event. The activities presentend here are simple, easy-to-implement ideas that can either become a centerpiece of your program, or just one component of it.
Light Bulb Art: Have students decorate light bulb cut-outs as part of your celebration. Light bulb art is one of the hallmarks of Lights On Afterschool. Each year tens of thousands of student-decorated light bulbs adorn events, and are sent to elected officials to remind them of the importance of your program.
Proclamation: Ask your city or local leaders to issue a proclamation in support of Lights On Afterschool, or issue your own proclamation as a community.
Afterschool for All Petition: Take tyour event national by distributing an Afterschool for All petition for guests to sign. Send the list to us and we will add your names to the national list, now hitting 20,000 partners! Or, ask your local leader to sign on at your event.
In an Election Year: Advice and ideas on how you can involve candidates in your event.
Going Green: A few simple ways to make your event greener.
Case Studies: Find a series of case studies explained by Lights On Afterschool organizers; each includes tips from the organizer and outcomes from the event. Also provided is a document with short summaries from dozens of events held last year, organized by state.
Helpful Tips
- Be creative! Grab attention with something out of the ordinary.
- Involve as many participants in planning as possible, especially your students. Remember that people will support something they helped create.
- Have a lively emcee - consider asking a local TV or radio host.
- Give away goodies, like fun snacks with afterschool slogans attached.
- Use signs and posters before and during the rally to attract and keep attention.
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