Reducing Mess at a Youth Group Lock-in
A lock-in can leave the church or youth room in shambles…unless you plan ahead. Limit where kids can eat (designate one room for snacks). Provide plenty of trash cans and recycling bins. To simplify cleanup, use disposable plates and utensils.
Next, schedule 30 minutes at the end for group cleanup. Assign each small group a specific task (trash pickup, vacuuming, bathroom check).
Helping Everyone Get Some Sleep
Few teens (or adults) will sleep eight hours at a lock-in. But you can avoid total exhaustion and chaos. First, create a quiet-time window and declare a wind-down time. Lower the lights, and offer calm activities (movie, soft music, devotion). Designate a sleeping area with dim lights and encourage kids to at least rest.
Also have a plan for the “all-nighter” kids. Assign an adult to monitor kids who resist sleeping. Set up a secondary quiet space where they can rest or quietly play games.
Using Volunteers To Keep Lock-Ins on Track
A volunteer team can make or break the lock-in. So assign clear roles: game leaders, kitchen/snack team, overnight hall monitors, and small-group facilitators. (Teens can lead the discussions, but adults should keep them on track.)
Next hold a pre-event meeting. Review the schedule, safety guidelines, and emergency procedures. Clarify who is responsible for which spaces and activities. Encourage flexibility and fun but also boundaries. Remind volunteers to build relationships while supervising.
Planning a youth group lock-in effectively ensures that young people connect with each other, their leaders, and God. Your next lock-in can be a highlight of the ministry calendar. Enjoy watching God work in students’ lives in the middle of the night!
