The 2006-2007 Youth Group season has been one of our most positive and productive ones ever. The year began with a jump, for in late August, we went live with our website, got our own bulletin board, and began to work on this year's email newsletter program which, despite common belief, is more difficult than it seems to implement.
Our first Youth Group Board meeting was held on September 10, with Andrew Nathanson and Emily Carton acting as Co-Presidents. We began the year with events that had been held in the past, such as a trip to CHICAGO CITY LIMITS, a Comedy Club, and SPAMALOT on Broadway. We also purchased tickets for WICKED, the Brodway show, for April '07. A group of dedicated 8th graders organized and ran our Arts & Crafts booth at GILDA'S CLUB NOOGIEFEST.
On the Community Service front, we continued our alliance with the FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE PROGRAM, and added new opportunities, such as work at the DON BOSCO CENTER in Port Chester.
Our best ever MIDNIGHT RUN was held on January 6 and featured more interest than ever. In fact, we couldn't take everyone who had signed up, something that probably had never happened in our history. We also ran a 2nd Midnight Run on March 24th with almost equal success.
As always, the PURIM CARNIVAL went off without a hitch, and got us thinking... wouldn't it be great if we could have rides? How about have the carnival outside? This idea transformed itself into the SCHOOL'S OUT! CARNIVAL which was held on May 20.
One week prior to the carnival (one week earlier than usual,) the Youth Group ran the ever-sucessful annual CAR WASH. Even without a bake sale this year, the event was still great fun on the beautiful day we got. On May 20, the last day of Religious School, the weather held off and, with the exception of a short drizzle during set-up, the Youth Group was able to host more than 250 people at the School's Out! Carnival, the temple's first ever outdoor carnival. With popcorn, cotton candy, a full BBQ, a jumping castle, Race Car-themed inflatable challenge course, and more than 5 Youth Group-run booths, the event brought in a sizable profit, as well as many smiles from younger attendees.