<p>Just answered the door to a group of four 13-14 year olds. They were doing a scavenger hunt for a birthday party. They asked me for a can of vegetables and then gave me a bright orange slip of paper that explained that this was celebrating a girl’s birthday, that they hoped to collect 150 cans/bags of food and everything would be donated to the local food bank. They told me to put the paper on my front door if I did’t want more kids to stop – but that I was welcome to give more if I wanted to. They seemed to be having a really good time.</p>
<p>That is a great idea. What a wonderful way to have fun that also gives back to the community.</p>
<p>I LOVE THIS!!</p>
<p>Such a great idea. I have a freshman who has lots of friends in the neighborhood and it sounds like a great way to spend an evening!</p>
<p>WOW - I LOVE THIS!!! My GS troop will be doing this next month, count on it!</p>
<p>Very clever and nice.</p>
<p>Thanks for sharing. This is a wonderful idea!!</p>
<p>Not as community service-oriented but on the scavenger hunt theme: Last year for my S2’s & his best friend’s 18th birthdays (same day/year, different families), we had a digital scavenger hunt in our local museums. Each birthday boy was captain of a team; there were 2 teams competing for prizes. We had an even mix of boys & girls, which was important: the girls were enthusiastic and stopped the boys from being “too cool for words.” The girls really helped the boys get into the spirit of the hunt and try new things. </p>
<p>Each team was handed a digital camera and a list of exhibits where they either had to take a digital photo of themselves or answer a question. Points were awarded for each answer/photo. (example: each birthday boy had to have his picture taken getting a hug or kiss from a grandmother or a pretty girl. My S2 had a photo of himself with a cute girl. The other birthday boy had 14 girls surrounding him! We awarded him 13 bonus points for the extra girls.)</p>
<p>We allotted them 3.5 hours to go through 2 museums then ride home on the subway in time for dinner (DIY tacos). After dinner, we ran an AV cable from the digital cameras to the TV & had a picture show. The kids argued over points & everyone laughed until we cried at some of the photos. Then we tallied the points to determine the winners. Each participant got a goody bag with some snacks/candy & a $5 Starbucks card, but members of the winning team also got a gift card to a local burger joint.</p>
<p>By the time we served birthday cake & ice cream, the kids had uploaded & tagged photos on Facebook. The kids had a blast!</p>
<p>My daughter went to a party and the invitation said “in lieu of gifts please bring a DVD to be donated to the XXX children’s hospital. Rated G-PG 13”. I thought that was cool.</p>