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NYC Theme
So, this isn't really an entertaining question per se. Our church is having Vacation Bible School this summer (like every summer), but this year it's New York City themed. I am handling the youth-age part of the week, and am looking for some cool ideas for decorations and things. I found a couple things on one website, but a lot of the websites I'm finding only have kid-age items or are expensive.
This is the one website I found a couple things on: http://www.nycwebstore.com/
I'm going to order one of their gift bag sets as an incentive at the end of the week, and a photo album (this is a group of kids that meets every week for church youth grou, and I thought it would be fun to take pics all week and put a photo album that they can look back at).
Some other things I'm looking for:
Journals (maybe NYC themed?)
Activites/Games
Room decorations
Anthing else fun that would set the scene.
We're having a NYC themed kick-off party in May to get them excited for it (VBS is in June) and to get their input for planning.
TIA!
Re: NYC Theme
Hi! I live near NYC now (and have lived in and around the city for over 20 years...)
Your ideas sound really fun - one of the things about the city that is so great is the diversity of cultures and peoples here that would also fit in with VBS values etc.
Re: decorations - you could divide the areas by neighborhood:
Little Italy
Harlem
Times Square
China Town etc.
Re: your kick-off party - would def' feature lots of different cuisines as well as NY favorites like Pastrami on Rye, Reuben Sandwiches, Juniors' Cheesecake, etc. also in the summer there is lots of "street food" served from carts, an ice cream truck parked on every block.... popsicle stands - all that.
Re: gifts etc. - of course the Fire Museum - which has 9/11 Sweatshirts etc. and of course don't forget the Yankees, Broadway Shows and the Statue of Liberty! Those would be cute sweatshirts, baseball hats etc.
I think the MTA also would send you a giant subway map - which is really the key to understanding the geography of the city.
GL - I'm sure I'll think of more things...
That's very sweet. I came to the city over 20 years ago with two suitcases to attend NYU...
Anyways, I also thought of these cookies - they're called "Black and Whites". Here is a recipe for them - though I've never made these myself. Usually just buy them.
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Black-and-White-Cookies-106171
Good Luck!
Activities - You could play the movie for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" or "Jesus Christ Superstar" to represent a Times Square musical and still keep with the whole VBS thing.
Have the youth create a playlist of NYC themed songs (or by NYC artists) and other songs they like to play while they are working on activities. (New York New York, NYC (from Annie), Empire State of Mind (radio edit!), New York State of Mind...)
Have a "Mets" vs. "Yankees" softball or kickball game.
Do a service project to honor "first-responders" in your community, those that responded on 9/11, or military (anysoldier.com). (This year is 10 years since 9/11 happened. Are the kids old enough to remember what they were doing when the WTC fell? Interesting discussion point if you are dealing with teenagers.)
Decorations- paint a city skyline on big pieces of cardboard. Use glitter for the top of the empire state building!
Food - I always think of NY style pizza and great ethnic food when I think of NYC!
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These are all really good ideas too! I knew this board would be a good resource!