Check out additionalcreative ideas to inspire your next event. 1. Celebrate International Women's Day this year by planning an event that focuses on gender bias or highlights women's achievements. to be sure your event marketing strategy gets an A+. Start hanging posters, planting signs, and flying banners! Connect with the agriculture department to teach tour attendees about endangered species in the area and local environmental conservation organizations they can work with. Chinese New Year typically culminates in a lantern festival, with candles and lanterns lighting up homes and gardens or in this case, campus spaces. Mac-and-brie-en-croute, anyone? Come up with a list of themes and some basic ground rules on length and subject matter. With the user-friendly digital tools at our disposal today, anyone can make a short movie. This great bonding activity can be even more fun by ending the hike with a bonfire and smores. Virtual events for students usually are of the following types Virtual Onboarding of Freshers Virtual Socials Virtual Happy Hours Virtual Graduation The key to success lies in creating an enjoyable experience that engages college students. 15. This is the fourth consecutive year that GCC has held this competition, which is open to GCC student-entrepreneurs to pitch their business or product ideas. While outdoor games and events are great for getting students out of their rooms and off their screens, we know the weather doesnt always cooperate. Host the town's local farmer's market on campus Alcohol-free happy hour Self-care forum Hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing Student Resources and First Year Students Open forum for first year students on what major they should choose First year student scavenger hunt Clothing swap Relaxation and Stress Relief Chair massage stations for students Mastering skills like basic auto repair or home maintenance will help students become more independent. Teach the introductory signs and help each other communicate better. Promote events on social media. Tip:By the end of the fundraiser, there will certainly be lots of extra paper cranes lying around! Blank canvasses are metaphorical for a new school year, so it's a great fit for a campus event. Encourage students to meet and create their own teams. In addition, this position must be effective and savvy in media (social, other), communications, and stakeholder engagement. You could either have a theme or let students come up with their own ideas. Take a group to the ice rink for a day of skating. You can also set up a bake sale or even hot dog eating contest on the side to gain even more in donations. Social events that do not have to do with the organization's core mission and enable people to get to mingle. You could also partner with another campus organization to do this. One of the most popular ways to fundraise for a college is to sell t-shirts. Just be sure students stick around afterward to help clean up! Check out additional, creative ideas to inspire your next event, . With more college kids playing video games on PCs or consoles like PlayStation or Xbox than ever before, a video game tournament can be a gamers fantasy. This post may contain affiliate links. This makes them an ideal choice for hosting various events, especially outdoor ones that can accommodate kiosks, booths, and large gatherings. Consider working with a student-led organization to co-host an event that promotes or explores their mission. An interactive challenge that gets them moving and holds their attention will help students learn about the history of their campus, the unique architecture in town, local businesses, and uncover interesting facts about the city. 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. So bring in an IT pro to show off the tips and tricks to help new employees prove their worth. Theyve been celebrated in agricultural regions for perhaps thousands of years. But with just a microwave and a bit of ingenuity, students can have a much more well-rounded diet without breaking the bank. Youll want to contact your schools facilities department about availability. Bake sales are a classic fundraiser and they always do well. When shes not reading or writing, shes probably hiking, eating brunch, or planning her next great adventure. Host a wheel of fortune night! Thank you for supporting this resource. Let each other see who can out-spell the competition. A wargaming contest will likely resonate with the history majors in your midst; you might recreate battles from the Civil War, World War I, or World War II. Surely there are a few certified yoga or aerobics instructors in your student body! But youd be amazed at what you can whip up on a hot plate. Its time to shift your perspective. Students spend all day in lecture halls and seminars, so educational events encouraging participation will be more impactful. Sports are always a popular activity among college students. Run a voter registration drive. Spartan races are famous for their obstacles combining mud crawling, wall climbing, rope swinging, spear throwing, and more. 10. Unfortunately, many high schools dont prepare students with valuable life skills like budgeting, cooking, basic home repair, or filing taxes. You could have a variety of music genres or stick to one type. You could either partner with a local meditation organization or have your own class. Since pets are often forbidden in dorms or apartments, invite a local pet adoption organization to bring dogs, cats, and other critters to campus. A meet-and-greet allows students to make a one-on-one connection. Refer to our Privacy Policy or contact us at privacy@cvent.com for more details. Even something as simple as petting a dog or cat is associated with lowered blood pressure and increased relaxation. , check out these fun event ideas for college students. You could either provide the supplies or have students bring their own. Scavenger hunts involve creating a list of goals for a group to accomplish or items to collect. Incorporate meaning and purpose into events to appeal to modern students. Encourage students to shop their peers closets and for a good cause! Both can easily be enjoyed onscreen thanks to the magic of the internet. Organize a behind-the-scenes tour of a popular organization such as an amusement park, casino, or winery. Themed parties are especially fun. 19. Manystudents struggle with food insecurity and would greatly benefit from access to healthy, affordable ingredients. 3. Or, for older students, try a. where guests bring their favorite libations for an evening of watercolors, easels, and drinks. Debate tournaments are always a lot of fun, and theyre perfect for students who love to argue. Not everyone wants to be in the spotlight, so a prop workshop is a great way to involve more introverted types in the theater. Make it a black-tie event for a sophisticated Monte Carlo feel. What is hard is creating one that will be able to compete with everything else that is going on around campus. Host a community service fair to link students upwith local non-profit organizations, activist groups, and charities. Be creative! 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. Alternatively, host an open mic night and encourage students to try out their best routines. But that doesnt mean your event cant be inspiring or rewarding in other ways, right? , the all-in-one marketing platform designed for event creators. Or create an LGBTQ+ mentorship program or event. One simple way to do this is to organize a community-wide charity drive in a central, easy-to-access location. A supplies fee can help pay for necessary tools and other resources. Performing artists love to gain college fans, and college rock (think R.E.M. Come up with a list of themes and some basic ground rules on length and subject matter. You could either have your own book club or partner with a local organization. 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. When events wrap, follow up with students. The pop of firecrackers and gifts of cash stuffed in red envelopes are other hallmarks of the festivities, which traditionally last for two weeks. Celebrity guests are always a popular draw, and theyre the perfect way to get students excited about an event. 3) Ask parents who own businesses that could donate. Virtual Open Mic Night. Invite area critics and choose a panel of judges to pick the winner. 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. She currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons. 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. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Not only does this allow students to support local businesses, but it also helps them stock up for the week. Lastly, a festival isnt complete without eats. Be sure to get photos of the winner (with their consent, of course) and post to social media to draw even more attention to the event itself. Volunteering at a homeless shelter is a great way to help those in need. You could either have your own garden or partner with local businesses. Three Glendale Community College (GCC) students won a total of $5,000 in prize money at the GCC Innovation Challenge, held on February 16th in the GCC Student Union. Google Art and Culture. Team up with an off-campus organization to promote and orchestrate a meaningful community event. Need more fun college event ideas? The following college events ideas can draw big crowds by offering something fun, giving yourself something by which to identify what your group is about. You could either do this at a local rock climbing gym or outdoors. Invite philosophers, activists, lecturers, writers, entrepreneurs, and other exciting speakers to visit campus and share their life advice. Or put the pedal to the metal with a go-kart race at a nearby indoor or outdoor track. Partner with local fitness instructors to host yoga, pilates, or othercreative outdoor eventsin the park. 2. Paint and sip events are always popular, and theyre a great way to get creative. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, is generally credited with inventing miniature wargaming. Whether connecting people face-to-face or virtually, hosting poetry readings, mariachi lessons, or concerts, youve got a lot on your plate. Raise money for a good cause and encourage health and fitness with a series of donation-based exercise classes. And at some universities, students can obtain degrees entirely through an online course load. Coordinate with the Red Cross, a local hospital, or your university hospital to provide the necessary phlebotomists and equipment. 1960 N. Marshall Ave., Suite 100 Similar to a fall festival, harvest festivals emphasize food and farm products. If you make it a regular occurrence, it can be a fun venue for both meeting new people and passing time with old friends in a casual and laidback environment. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Welcome to GenTwenty - the twenty-something's guide to life. Put down the electronics and get back to basics with an ancient games tournament. The following college event ideas are designed to appeal to students, help connect them with one another, improve their experience at events, introduce them to local businesses and organizations, and much more. Drive fundraising with charity eventsand encourage students to organize their own campus services. From RA-sponsored freshmen meet-and-greets to events organized by student groups, here are twelve versatile on-campus event ideas that college kids will love: First-year orientation week is one of the most exciting and nerve-wrecking parts of the college experience. Remember, always encourage businesses, event planners, and students to post about the events on social media. STEP ONE: Assemble Your Committee. A dessert bar is always a popular draw, and its the perfect way to finish an event. The best way to boost student engagement is to be creative, innovative, and include student input. Set up crafting stations in dorm rooms, and gardening fun with desk-sized plants to place in their dorm rooms. SAMPLE You can get the whole college campus involved with these interactive event ideas. Sleepover Movie Marathon The goals can be anything: taking a photo at a campus landmark, for example, or finding a specific treasure in a particular location. Althea Marin Santos (al-they-ya, mar-ine, san-tos) is a Filipina immigrant raised in Northeast Los Angeles. 1. Learning doesnt only take place inside the classroom. You could partner with a local pet therapy organization. 4. Light up your campus for the holidays with a festive tree lighting ceremony. String all the origami together the colorful garland can then be displayed somewhere on campus, or donated to the organization for which the funds were raised! Invite parents to join during orientation or visitor weekends and include senior students in the tour staff. 7. It's free to sign up and bid on jobs. Here are three of our favorite fundraising community event ideas. Would it appeal to the typical college-age demographic or is your ideal audience a little more specific? These programs create a rewarding, one-on-one experience for students. We provide complete solution to organize an event. Pitch your idea or Request a donation from us. Volunteer virtually. Exercise can be a great mental health booster also. 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. Students love food, so play with the idea of a taco or burger crawl. Event themes Listicle College events shape the social and intellectual fabric of your university. Still, we cant always make it to the nearest wilderness for our backpacking excursions. So, fun events for college students that emphasize social life will attract interest. Students looking for their first job, a summer internship, or a part-time gig can bring their resumes and do a series of quick interviews. As graduation nears, students will be more focused on their professional futures. Credit Union West, a long-standing partner and supporter of this event . 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. Lay down some green felt across your tabletops and use chips instead of coins for a more authentic experience. Grab a camera, mic and recorder, and your favorite walking shoes! Swap boring punch for a spiked punch bowl and redeem your old school prom dress and tuxedos. Photo booths are always a lot of fun, and theyre perfect for students who love to take pictures. But to draw interest, youll need to look beyond formal talks and job fairs. Initially developed by actual military strategists, wargaming contests involve moving game pieces around large game boards that consist of maps of real or fantastical landscapes. 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 . Think mac n cheese, stir fry, homemade ramen, or pho. Harness students enthusiasm to benefit a good cause. 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! Mental health is a vital part of overall health, so engage students with campus-widede-stressing events, especially during exam seasons. Hire a photographer and let students get professional headshots taken for free. The opportunities are endless! A renaissance fair harkens back to the days of knights, nobles, lords, and ladies, recreating a time gone by. Some students love to compete, testing themselves constantly against their peers. You could either have them as a standalone event or add it to another event. You might also include wraps, burritos, and gyros quick, flavorful meals that require only a few ingredients. These can even be held as virtual events if needed, and what better way to attract speakers across the globe?! Dedicate a whole day to school pride. Give teams 24 or 48 hours to complete a movie based on a theme or genre. You can host a cultural celebration supporting music, art, food, and other entertainment. Host a workshop where students can make their own dorm room decor think plant hangers, terrariums, or recycled frames for their art. We all know college students may not have the kitchen or the time for such culinary achievements. Run online contests with enticing prices and take advantage of social media engagement one of the primary communication methods for modern students. Host local tours to familiarize students with their surroundings. Keep your physical and digital class materials organized using a three-ring binder and Google Drive. Serve appetizers and drinks so guests stick around. Bowling is always a fun activity, and its perfect for a night out. Sex plays a big role in campus culture, but that doesnt mean that talking about it is easy. There are so many different ways to engage students through local scavenger hunts. Location: Austin, TX. Consider marketing to individual departments, clubs, and organizations related to your event. University campuses are often expansive spaces filled with various environments: dormitories and dining halls, quads and stadiums, recreation facilities, and lecture halls. Create groups and promote events on Facebook, create catchy hashtags andfun photo opportunities for students to snap and post online. Include displays of falconry or blacksmithing to set the mood. You could either choose a theme or let students come up with their own ideas. But make sure your cooking classes have an enticing theme and plan easy, cheap, and college-student-friendly dishes. College students love free food and they love brunch! Furthermore, students should be clearly and regularly updated on when, where, and how to connect with faculty and support staff. Another great way to giveaway prizes is by having a raffle. Provide gift cards to the campus bookstore for the winners. Eventbrite Boost makes it easy to reach new people, engage your fans and followers, and grow your attendance directly from your Eventbrite account. After a countdown, encourage students to scream as loud as they can and release their stress together. Local cafs can refuel students and soothe their throats after the scream-a-thon. We would like to introduce our company LIMRA EVENTS that has been in business of Event Planning since 2010 but come into existence from 2010.<br>We are one of the well-known management organizations . Set it up in the student center or dormitory dining hall and let those student chefs show their skills. This is a great way for current students to support their fellow students even if they arent in the same major. On-Campus Entertainment Ideas Not every weekend at college needs to be all about tailgating and keggers. This article will provide you with fun virtual event ideas for college kids. Long-distance students attending virtual classes will have little experience with your schools campus. Diagram events, wow attendees, and win clients with free planning tools. 2. You could partner with a local charity or organization. Be sure to have a variety of games for students to choose from. Make sure yourcomedy show sells out by promoting it on social media. A popular way of fundraising for college is organizing concerts and selling tickets. Showcase the entrepreneurial spirit of your campus by inviting student business owners to speak about their projects and network with potential collaborators. Calling Sherlock Holmes! This will encourage even absolute beginners to show up and participate! Regular entertainment programming on college campuses can give students who arent party animals new opportunities to relax and socialize. Encourage attendees to dress up and enjoy an evening with the local orchestra, or show their school spirit by attending a performance of the schools music department ensembles. A fashion show can be a fun and profitable fundraising event for a variety of organizations. As students move from booth to booth, theyll get a peek into potential career paths and maybe even find the position where theyll launch their career. If you want to take your event online, consider creative activities like a student-led online workshop or a virtual open mic night. Host a trivia night Trivia nights are always popular and they are a great way to get students engaged. When starting out in a career, you want to get to know as many people as possible who share your interests, passions, and responsibilities. Be sure to provide all of the supplies students will need. Choose a theme or activity and watch your registrations fill up. The emotional and therapeutic benefits of bonding with animals are well-known. Itll be a lot of fun for students. Let students get creative! Have art students sell their pieces to students for cheap dorm dcor and donate the money to .