September is the start of High School Homecoming season, and with that arrives THE event of the fall -- the Homecoming Dance. Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior boys all fret about which clever and enticing method they should employ to invite their date to the dance. The honest answer is that it doesn't really matter, since the girls generally just want to be asked to the dance. However, that frame of mind doesn't permit for a particularly engaging article! So, the adjusted mindset is: a very fun, and intellectually-stimulating invitation can be created using a Scavenger Hunt Theme. Following are some tried and true thoughts about recreating this style of invitation for your own dance.
Concept
- The girl has to follow a series of clues that will lead her on a hunt throughout some designated area. Throughout her adventure, she will gather clues that will lead her to her ultimate Homecoming Dance date.
Themes
- Start with the theme of the dance. If the theme is based on a certain piece of music, use that song title as a starting point.
- Carry your theme throughout the hunt, capitalizing on local landmarks or locations that tie in with the theme.
Planning
- Take some time to personalize your clues and route. For instance, if the date is particularly fond of a certain area, plan the scavenger for just that geographic location.
- If the date doesn't yet drive, plan a walking hunt, that can be easily accomplished on foot.
- Determine how long the hunt should last. Generally, one to two hours is plenty of time to have a good hunt, without going overboard and making your dreamgirl wish for another date!
- Enlist the aid of a good friend and/or the friend of your date, to help with the implementation and deception surrounding this type of invitation.
- Have the last clue point to you, when you will personally invite your date to the dance.
Example
- A recently implemented Homecoming Dance invitation revolved around the dance's theme: The Beatles' Come Together
- The hunt was delivered via audio CDs, which all played thematic Beatles music.
- Each clue location held the next CD and a piece of a jigsaw puzzle. When the final clue was found, the jigsaw puzzle pieces were to "Come Together" to divulge the final location.
- Here is the logistics of one of the clues:
- The CD played "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and the girl realized that she needed to go to the local baseball diamond. At the baseball stadium the next clue was found under a particular seat (in this case, the seat number was a meaningful date for this couple). The next clue was a jigsaw puzzle piece and another CD, which played "Ticket to Ride," indicating the next location was the local train station.
Use your imagination and tailor your own Homecoming Dance Invitation to be a memorable experience for everyone.
