Be sure to encourage attendees to come in costume. Let students get creative! Good luck! These programs create a rewarding, one-on-one experience for students. Survey students to connect with them and discover what they care about most. Provide gift cards to the campus bookstore for the winners. Be creative! Are you looking to host college events that students will actually want to attend? The series might include a trivia night, in which student teams answer questions about sexuality and health statistics, free STD and HIV testing, expert-led panel discussions about sexual health and empowerment, and a raffle to win toys or other goodies. You can find a Campus Relay for Life branch on over 500 high school and college campuses in 47 states. Table games like chess, pachisi (the Indian precedent to the American variation called Parcheesi), and backgammon have been around for hundreds, even thousands of years. Creative alumni event ideas like this will provide laughs for players and non-players alike, and some of the revenue can be set aside as a scholarship fund or whatnot. Host a charity auction and have students bid on various items. This great bonding activity can be even more fun by ending the hike with a bonfire and smores. Certain student organizations such as the newspaper or student council may enjoy collaborating to host the event. A walking tour of your campus landmarks, lecture halls, and popular student hangouts can help give them a sense of the college experience. Lastly, a festival isnt complete without eats. Whats the longest-running show in Broadway history? Ask students to create something extraordinary and plan a fun event that focuses on film. TEDx speakers are always a great way to learn about different subjects, and students will love the chance to see one on campus. HostTED Talksregularly on campus and encourageaudience engagement at events. This event suits urban campuses, where many museums and galleries might dot the landscape. Host a Q&A with a group of change-making women. Students will love trying to solve the mystery. Showcase the entrepreneurial spirit of your campus by inviting student business owners to speak about their projects and network with potential collaborators. 100 College Event Ideas for Student Body Participation Host a music concert A free music concert is something most people will enjoy! Invite professors from diverse departments, like Biology, Religion, and Womens Studies, to speak about sexuality through different academic lenses. Social Distancing Festivals. It often includes a competition. Coordinate with your schools film department to include the best of Bollywood cinema. But customizing the experience adds a special touch, so use our FindSpark Fashion Conference run-of-show for inspo, so you can hit the ground running, and be sure to tag appropriate . Murder mystery nights are always a lot of fun, and theyre perfect for a night out. So, invite them to be that change. Its possible to hold them over a wide, though not necessarily connected, area. The first group to complete the list wins. Make it fun for them! Make sure yourcomedy show sells out by promoting it on social media. The Olympic games are always a lot of fun, and theyre perfect for students who love to compete. Below are a few engaging social event ideas for clubs and students. Not only do events help students get to know one another, but they can provide a steady stream of wholesome and educational programming that will keep students active and engaged in their campus community. Tip:An event like this is a great chance to tap into the expert knowledge on your campus! Put down the electronics and get back to basics with an ancient games tournament. College students may not be a population known for having a ton of disposable income, but what they lack in income they make up for social concern and engagement. A recent study from the American College Health Association found that 95% of college students dont eat the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables. Thank you for supporting this resource. Harness students enthusiasm to benefit a good cause. Millennials and members of Gen Z feel strong connections to political awareness, community engagement, environmentalism, social justice, activism, and impactful change. Students who enjoy the outdoors, botany, or conservation will appreciate horticulture tours that showcase the unique biology of their college town. As theater lovers know, the real magic of drama and comedy is in characterization and dialogue. Fun fact: Robert Louis Stevenson, author of Treasure Island and Dr. Invite parents to join during orientation or visitor weekends and include senior students in the tour staff. This is a great way for current students to support their fellow students even if they arent in the same major. Social events that incorporate games and technology are good starts. Lay down some green felt across your tabletops and use chips instead of coins for a more authentic experience. Make it a black-tie event for a sophisticated Monte Carlo feel. Check out additionalcreative ideas to inspire your next event. After a countdown, encourage students to scream as loud as they can and release their stress together. Invite students to gather at a specific time and place to let out their frustrations together. Learn how to embroider and make personalized gifts for your friends. Be sure to have lots of food and drinks for students to enjoy. The goals can be anything: taking a photo at a campus landmark, for example, or finding a specific treasure in a particular location. Long-distance students attending virtual classes will have little experience with your schools campus. A picnic is always a great way to spend a day, and its perfect for students who love to eat outside. This will encourage even absolute beginners to show up and participate! Everyones heard of a chili cook-off or a British bake-off, right? Then its just a matter of deciding between seven-card stud or Texas hold em. Depending on whether or not your college has the right hardware available, you can either supply the computers, network cards, and headsets yourself, or specify that the game night is BYO-gear. Like the gallery crawl model, city or museum tours can include visits to natural history museums, botanical gardens, and architectural sites. Whether it seems like it or not, every college or university has students who are looking for active ways to participate in university life as well as the surrounding community. Industry-Specific Conference or Training. Help current students see the potential that the future holds while they makenetworking connectionsthat could be beneficial after graduation. An easter egg hunt is perfect for the spring semester once it starts to get warm out. Both can easily be enjoyed onscreen thanks to the magic of the internet. Once you have your design, you can order shirts from a printing company and then sell them to students, faculty, and community members. Celebrate International Women's Day this year by planning an event that focuses on gender bias or highlights women's achievements. Mastering skills like basic auto repair or home maintenance will help students become more independent. Coordinate with the Red Cross, a local hospital, or your university hospital to provide the necessary phlebotomists and equipment. Take inspiration from Big Brother/Big Sister programs and pair seniors with freshmen. A dessert bar is always a popular draw, and its the perfect way to finish an event. A classic movie night is always a hit with students. Be sure to have plenty of delicious goodies for students to choose from. Talent shows are always a lot of fun, and they provide a great opportunity for students to show off their talents. Invite artists, activists, and entrepreneurs. Be sure to have a lot of Christmas-themed games for students to play. Include only games that date before the 18th century. Games designed for indoor events are the perfect solution. This will be a treat for movie lovers. Put on your best poker face and deal em up! How to Celebrate St. Patricks Day in the U.S. 25 Event Ideas, Planning Conferences and Corporate Events in 2023: Trends and Challenges, How to Attract Visitors to Your Exhibition Booth, How to Plan a Seminar: A 16-Step Checklist, For more ways to make your on-campus event stand out and. Adult coloring books are a great way to relax and de-stress. Unfortunately, many high schools dont prepare students with valuable life skills like budgeting, cooking, basic home repair, or filing taxes. Take a group to the trampoline park for a day of bouncing around. A food truck rally is always a lot of fun, and its perfect for students who love to eat. By clicking 'Sign Up', you consent to allow Social Tables to store and process the personal information submitted above to provide you the content requested. Pick a day to showcase entries in a theater setting, complete with snacks and awards, and sell tickets via Eventbrites, Host a workshop where students can make their own dorm room decor think plant hangers, terrariums, or recycled frames for their art. Puzzle hunts are always a lot of fun, and theyre perfect for a day or night out. There are so many different ways to engage students through local scavenger hunts. Of course, your competition can be as friendly and straightforward as you like the simpler it is, the more likely people will feel up to the challenge and decide to participate. Pick a day to showcase entries in a theater setting, complete with snacks and awards, and sell tickets via Eventbritesfilm event ticketing software. Food drives are always important, and theyre a great way to get students involved. If youre looking for a unique event idea, goat yoga is definitely it. And in honor of its release, we're rounding up some of our favorite Hogwarts-inspired decor and DIYs to plan the most magical wizarding party at home, complete with homemade wands, fantastical treats and . It's free to sign up and bid on jobs. Instead, invite students to bring their tents, sleeping bags, and smores kits to campus for a campout with friends. Hire a photographer and let students get professional headshots taken for free. Below are some examples of online programs your organization could host. Bring together a group of successful and innovative women to discuss embracing equity in all . A poetry slam puts spoken word performance front and center. Can you figure out who the murderer is before its too late? 15. A poker tournament doesnt have to involve gambling instead, let the winnings benefit a particular charity or cause. Prepare some visuals for Facebook and Instagram to share the planning process and showcase the event. Offer Students Campus Bikes and Scooters Calling Sherlock Holmes! Comedians regularly include colleges on their tour stops, so it could be worth reaching out to a famous name to check availability. If your campus has a fall festival, take advantage of it! Regular entertainment programming on college campuses can give students who arent party animals new opportunities to relax and socialize. A fall festival celebrates all things autumn while fall colors are at their peak. And with blood and platelets in critically short supply, blood drives can be a true lifesaver. Include pumpkin carving contests, hay rides, corn mazes, and costume contests. to promote positive change. You could either create your own hunts or use ones that are already made. You could either go to a local bowling alley or have a bowling tournament. Student life can be incredibly stressful. Ashley Austin specializes in topics such as event planning, skincare, health, decor, and lifestyle. Be sure to have props for students to use. Themed parties are especially fun. The goals can be anything: taking a photo at a campus landmark, for example, or finding a specific treasure in a particular location. Its time to shift your perspective. These games are great because theyre entirely adaptable to the size of your party. In addition, this position must be effective and savvy in media (social, other), communications, and stakeholder engagement. Regular entertainment programming on college campuses can give students who aren't party animals new opportunities to relax and socialize. Pet therapy is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. Car smashes are always a lot of fun, and theyre perfect for students who love to destroy things. Book clubs are always a great way to get students excited about reading, and theyre perfect for students who love to discuss books. Mix it up by hosting quidditch matches in the park or advertise a community-wide LARPing (live action role play) competition on campus. Eventbrite Boost makes it easy to reach new people, engage your fans and followers, and grow your attendance directly from your Eventbrite account. Schools without an ample A/V supply can host mini-tournaments in each dorm and ask students to bring their own monitors and game systems. Be sure to have a variety of desserts for students to choose from. Consult with your director of facilities office about . Don't miss an opportunity to bring attention to your event and hype up your college. Focus on specific departments or specialties to keep your event focused. You could either have a theme or let students come up with their own ideas. Learn how to work with clay and make beautiful pottery. Teach students how to do their taxes. We provide complete solution to organize an event. Then its just a matter of deciding between seven-card stud or Texas hold em. Millennials love expressing their values online, but 80% of them feel itsessential for people to come together in person to promote positive change. As more students become online-only enrollees, online events might take on new importance. Coordinate periodic check-in events to maintain contact. Copyright 2022 Cvent Inc.All rights reserved. Race each other in Mario Party or Mario Kart! 14 College Event Ideas Students Will Actually Attend, classes that will teach them applicable skills, study from the American College Health Association, Create groups and promote events on Facebook, four tips to help university event planners succeed, The Complete Guide to Early Bird Registration for Events, Before, During, and After: The Complete Guide to Event Engagement . Paint nights are always popular, and theyre a great way to get creative. Collaborative event sales software that increases qualified leads and drives direct revenue. Encourage mentorship connections for new students, students in the LGBTQ+ community, those who struggle with addiction or grieving, and so on. Target outreach to students who are most likely to be interested in the events content to both boost your attendance rate and limit the amount of unwanted event invites students receive. Sleepover Movie Marathon This makes them an ideal choice for hosting various events, especially outdoor ones that can accommodate kiosks, booths, and large gatherings. 7. Ideas for student organizations running an event As a student, you know what is popular around campus and what your peers like so creating ideas for events is fairly simple. Host a wheel of fortune night! You could either have your own garden or partner with local businesses. The great thing about a rap battle is how little equipment is needed bring a beatbox and a microphone and youre practically set! Some students love to compete, testing themselves constantly against their peers. We all know college students may not have the kitchen or the time for such culinary achievements. Its another great way to connect students with local businesses. A drum circle is simply a group of people coming together to drum. Think mac n cheese, stir fry, homemade ramen, or pho. Host a trivia night Trivia nights are always popular and they are a great way to get students engaged. 1. You could either have your own book club or partner with a local organization. Get inspiration from Pinterest, Instagram, or Etsy for the latest crafting trends. The best way to boost student engagement is to be creative, innovative, and include student input. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers . Teach students how to cook their favorite dishes. Social events that do not have to do with the organization's core mission and enable people to get to mingle. Ask a professor from the Biology department with knowledge of plant species and biodiversity to lead a tour of local parks and nature trails. Teach time-management skills, budgeting best practices, and help prepare them for future loan expenses. Team up with an off-campus organization to promote and orchestrate a meaningful community event. But to draw interest, you'll need to look beyond formal talks and job fairs. In a murder mystery game, one party guest is the designated murderer, and anyone could be the next victim. One of the most popular ways to fundraise for a college is to sell t-shirts. Many theater companies are now incorporating virtual performances into their regular programming. But with just a microwave and a bit of ingenuity, students can have a much more well-rounded diet without breaking the bank. Be sure to have a choreographed routine or let students come up with their own. Bring in even more dough by lining up your bake sale with a major holiday or event, like Valentine's Day, Halloween, or an on-campus movie night. Run online contests with enticing prices and take advantage of social media engagement one of the primary communication methods for modern students. Provide potential attendees with a biography of the speaker, their accomplishments, and the unique perspective they bring to the table. If serving food, ensure your event complies with local regulations about storage and handling. Your campus is bound to have plenty of resources and good will to make your next event a smashing success all you need then is the right event idea to get started! 2. For instance, clean up a local beach or river, or raise awareness of a topic with a special event where all proceeds go to a cause. When youre ready to promote your events, use. And dont forget to match the theme with authentic cuisine. Language clubs are a perfect fit for an online event. Encourage college students to give back to their local community with virtual volunteering clubs.