Summer Activities for FCCLA Members

Contributed by Alana Bergeleen, National Executive Council Adviser, South Dakota

School's out for summer! But it is important as an FCCLA Adviser to keep in mind that school is not out forever and therefore it is a great idea to keep your chapter members involved throughout the summer months. Not only will this further develop their leadership skills, but summer activities will provide an opportunity for more "fun in the sun" than they get during the school year. The opportunities for summer activities are endless. Many of the so called activities can also turn into great fundraising activities as well (I'm not sure about other advisers but my mind is constantly churning on how to turn any activity into a money maker!)

A few ideas for some FCCLA fun in the sun!

• Town Clean Up - When the snow melts all the winter litter emerges. Arrange for your chapter to do a clean up in your community. Take pictures and turn into the paper for great publicity.
• Turtle Races - Once a week for a month in summer schedule community turtle races. We received permission from our town to hold the races on main street and then charged a $1.00 entry fee per turtle. Bottles of pop were the prizes. FCCLA members were the judges and also sold concessions. Much fun!
• -Wild Water Family Fun Night - sell hotdogs in the park or at your local swimming pool and then work with the pool to arrange a family night.
• FCCLA Movie Night - We are fortunate to have an outdoor movie theater within a 20 mile radius. Plan a night where families and FCCLA Members in your community can caravan to a movie.
• Bonfire Party - I like to do this right before school starts to get the members excited about FCCLA. Everyone brings their own hot dog and Marshmallows for smores. 
• Softball Game - It would be fun to have a "FFA vs. FCCLA" Softball Game.
• Bike Riding Clinic - Bike Safety is often overlooked. Have your FCCLA Chapter host a Bike Clinic. After you could have a bike rodeo and give prizes, etc.

These are just a few ideas and all can be adapted to fit your and your chapters needs. I live in a rural South Dakota Community so things that work here may not work every where but with a little FCCLA Adviser creativity you will think of many things to keep your chapter fired up through the summer months. In the meantime enjoy the fact that SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!