How to Plan a Lock-In or Similar Event

How to Plan a Lock-in or Similar Event

Part 1 – Pre-Planning

Step1

Vision your event: What do you want to accomplish? What will your role look like? Who will be there? Let this vision inspire you and drive you as you go forward in planning this event.

Step2

Talk to you sponsor or teen director about dates that work for the event in relation to other events going on near you. It is a good idea to select multiple dates that could work at this step of the process. For the sake of not exhausting the people it takes to bring Y.O.U.ers together, it is a good idea to have the event at least two weeks apart from any other event. Also consider that it takes roughly 5 weeks to have paperwork sent out, filled out, and then retuned.

Step3

Figure out who you’re going to invite.  Always plan for more than the number you’re set on just to be safe.

Step4

After finding dates that work, reserve the space where the event will take place. If the event is taking place at your church, your teen director should be able to point you in the right direction as to who to talk to about using the church.

Step5

Send out paper work [See invite example document at bottom of page.] Contact the regional consultant about the proper forms to be sent out for your event.

Step6

Find a partner to split planning the lock-in with (optional). Usually it’s not a good idea to have your whole Y.O.U. plan the event with you. Typically, it’s a good idea to use your chapter for things like helping execute the event (joy songs, running activities, etc.), bringing food and supplies to the event, and setting things up.

Step7

Do whatever it takes to make your vision a reality, be open to change, but don’t ever give up on your vision. Planning an event is a perfect way to practice principle in ways that will probably surprise you.

Part 2 – Planning

Step1

Create a facilitator’s manual [See the facilitator’s manual example at the bottom of the page.]
The manual should be your go-to guide to everything that’s happening at the event. Please note that the example is a little excessive; just put what you think you will need at the time of execution.

Step1-1

As you create the facilitator’s manual, you will also want to create a basic schedule for distribution at the event [See schedule example at the bottom of the page.]

Step 2

Create a list of things you need for the event [see supply list example.] On the last Sunday before the event, it is best if you bring the list to your Y.O.U. and have a joint Parent-Y.O.U.er business meeting to sign up for bringing things. Make sure to give everyone a copy of the list so that they remember what to bring to the event.

Part 3 – Execution

You can do all the preparation in the world, but you will never know what will actually happen at the event. Go with the flow (let go and let God), but be aware that it’s your job to move people from one activity to the next. Remember- positive energy all the way. The more energy you put out, the more you will get back. Be ready; time will fly.

	File name	Size	Last changed
	Invitation.doc	111 KB	29/12/2010
	Facilitators Manual.doc	54,0 KB	29/12/2010
	Supply List.doc	54,0 KB	29/12/2010
	Schedule.doc	34,0 KB	29/12/2010