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Meals for Teenage Groups: Tips and Ideas to Feed a Young Crowd

3. Grill Meals

This is a great way to feed lots of kids and involve that “grill master” parent. We look for someone who may not be interested in being a weekly volunteer but is a beast at the grill. Lean burgers (try turkey), chicken breast, and pork chops all make great large-group meals.

Be adventurous by grilling the rest of the meal, too—pineapple, watermelon, mangos, grapes, strawberries, and peaches are all yummy. You can also grill corn on the cob, green beans, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and bell peppers. Bonus points for using the leftover condiments to play Condiment Twister.

4. “Uncle Shane” Meals

Every church community has someone who makes the best local (healthy) comfort food. In New Orleans, it’s jambalaya from Uncle Shane. Who in your church makes the best…whatever?! Recruit that person to make their specialty on a large scale. Bonus points if you serve someone’s “famous” dessert.

5. Theme-Night Meals

Whether it’s Unusual Meat Night (try lamb, duck, venison, bison, rabbit, or goat meat), Pancake Night (use gluten-free or whole-grain flour and make “batches” with unusual add-ins), or Egg Night (make large batches of scrambled eggs and create an add-in bar), theme nights are a hit.

One fun twist is Skillet Night. Encourage kids to bring any healthy-ish food they want, and then use olive oil to cook it in skillets. Set up two stations using camper stoves or your kitchen facilities at church or camp—one for savory items and one for sweets. Bonus points if you have T-shirts made that match the theme.

On youth trips and events, food is fuel. But fuel doesn’t have to be the same ol’ same ol’. Take a little extra time to plan and enjoy meals for teenage groups. Bonus points if you add your favorite ideas in the comments below!

This article by Tim and Tasha Levert originally appeared here.