Every summer since I’ve started my current job I have thrown a lock-in for teens who have read over and beyond the “norm” for our system. This year, I required teens (13-18 or graduating seniors from high school) to read 65 hours or more in order to be able to attend the summer lock-in- dividing out the days, it amounts to a little over an hour a day during our summer reading program. This year I had 12 achieve that goal, all from the low-income, ESL, in-danger groups that we’re trying to reach.
Not too bad.
The lock-in isn’t a free-for-all; there is a very strict and very set schedule, and it’s set down before the lock-in even starts. In fact, things like group gym time has turned for the oldest teens (now coming back as chaperons) as volleyball- we did that the first two times, and now it’s a requirement that we have volleyball. Three times at different lock-ins we played musical chairs at 3 a.m.; again, now it’s tradition and unheard of if we play a different game.
One of the traditions that the teens love (and need if I’m to keep my sanity) is a huge active game after dinner. It gets everyone together, it gets them excited and running around the building, and it sets the tone for how exciting things are going to be for the rest of the night. I’ve done Capture the Flag, I’ve done a take on Quidditch, but so far the most popular has been a rendering of Humans vs Zombies. If you’re not familiar with the original concept, go here and learn about it’s awesomeness.
Obviously, their version wouldn’t work for my lock-in. One, my lock-ins are 13 hours long (7 pm Friday night to 8 am Saturday morning), and two, no one is allowed outside. So, I’ve taken their rules, adjusted it some, added some Doctor Who awesomeness and made it my own. This year we had extra programming money and I was able to get new flag football sets for use with teen programs, so we’re breaking them in this weekend.
Curious? Click on the link below for the rules. Check back for pictures.
Wow!! I love everything about this!!