Project Graduation 2010 - Best Ideas for Planning a Safe Graduation Party Seniors Will Love!

See our Project Graduation Ideas and Share Your own!

As seniors are settling into their class schedules and starting their college applications, Booster Clubs are already busy planning Project Graduation 2010 fundraisers and activities. 

Project Graduation is a safe all-night post-graduation celebration that was started in 1979 in Maine after the Oxford Hills community experienced a tragic seven teen deaths during commencement season.  The event has spread to all 50 states providing safe and fun filled post-graduation activities that last all night in a lock-in drug and alcohol free environment.

Last year we shared some fun Project Graduation ideas in our Project Graduation 2009 post, and asked our readers to add their  traditions. We learned that some schools partner Project Graduation with a community outreach activity like a food drive or a communal art project. In many communities, local retailers sponsor events and provide food, prizes and take-away gifts for Seniors. The only thing limiting the fun and power of this event is your committee's collective imagination. 

Below are some time-tested Project Graduation favorites and fresh ideas added by our readers.  

• DJ, live bands, and entertainment such as comedians and performance artists
• Rent Photo Booths, Sumo Suits, Human Gyroscope, and other fun activities
• Garage Band & Guitar Hero competition
• Set a fun theme like Oscars or Luau
• Karaoke with prizes
• Bonfire (safety first, of course)
• Senior screening - film a movie of senior activities during the school year and screen it for the first time at Project Graduation (also a fundraiser - charging for DVD copies)
• Rent out a bowling ally, rock climbing gym, arcade, pool, etc.
• Casino - with monopoly money - play for prizes
• Spa corner: manicures, pedicures, chair massages
• Fortune teller/card reader/psychic
• Door prizes (good ones like iPods, laptops, and amusement park passes) donated by local businesses
• Graduation canvas/graffiti wall - decorated by seniors and hung in a public place on campus for future classes to see
• Wish Sail - each senior writes a wish on a slip of paper and attaches it to a giant sail or flag flown over the school for several weeks after graduation
• Sweet sensations - set up a room full of treats - chocolate fountain, make your own sundaes and floats, creative cupcakes, etc.

If you're on the Project Graduation 2010 committee, check out VolunteerSpot's free and easy online volunteer sign up tool.  Our free volunteer scheduling software will simplify your fundraisers and your event -- parents pick a volunteer spot with a few clicks and choose how they want to help: as chaperons, setting up and cleaning up, entertainment, and more.  VolunteerSpot also helps assemble donations of needed food and supplies. No more reply-all email or clipboard signup sheets to have a fabulous event - just simple online volunteer coordination powered by VolunteerSpot.

Help us all plan for more Project Graduation fun in 2010 - please click Comments below and add your school's memorable Project Graduation traditions or advice on making the evening the best event ever.

Comments

[LStark]

We hired a Drum Circle leader - he was amazing and brought enough instruments for about 50 at a time to play. The grads loved it and it was really cool to hear the beat throughout the party.

[Jillian]

Great article- Hollywoodmegastore.com has some good props for graduation party planning.

[Alicia]

We always have a hypnotist at the end and fourtune tellers and a haunted house, the kids love them! We've also started doing a "kindergarten room" with a sandbox, legos, etc. it's a big hit. This year we're going to try doing a interactive game, Jepordy or Deal or No Deal.

[Patti]

Hi. I am looking for a template to use as the Project Graduation Program to hand out to students the night of Project Graduation. It will have the schedule of events. What else is needed?

[MaryY]

Hi Patti -

Do you have a parent that can print a program? Or are you looking to have grads signup online to choose their activities? Here's our video tour about how to create your online sign up sheet: http://www.volunteerspot.com/video/ (the 2nd one). Have fun and HAPPY GRADUATION!!

[Ginny]

We had a survivor night on an island. We had a barge all decked out like a sandy beach with fire pits to take them to the unknown destination. There were fund survival games for them, campfires, and a pig roast. Everyone had fun including the chaperones.

[Brian]

Try The Fields in East Brunswick. This place is huge and their will to bring in just about any type of entertainment.

[Debbie Roberts]

We are needing help in planning our 2012 Project Graduation. Does anyone know where I can find a manual/or how to book on doing this?

[JessYou]

Hi Debbie - Don't know of a specific manual - but there are some great ideas listed here and on last year's post. Perhaps contact a booster club at another high school in town for ideas. Happy Graduation!

[Jodi]

Here is a PDF of a Project Graduation How to Manual I found on the Maine State page.

http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/osa/pubs/prev/1999/projgrad.pdf

[JessYou]

Thanks for sharing, Jodi!