Alcohol-Free After-Prom Party Ideas for High School Students

Parents and students often wonder about safe activities for students looking for something to do after the prom ends. Many teens choose to attend after-prom parties hosted by their schools or friends' parents. Chaperoned after-prom parties offer teens the opportunity to continue the party without the social pressures of drug and alcohol abuse.

Party Organization

Party hosts and chaperones can enlist the help of participating students to help organize the party. Party organizers should:

• Obtain school sanction of the event

• Solicit trusted volunteer chaperones

• Contact local businesses to acquire donated food and prize items for after-party attendees

• Seek support from a local chapter of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)

• Create an awareness and advertising committee concerning the event

• Learn and abide by school rules and laws concerning events with minors

• Establish details of party including time and location

• Provide information to attendees' parents, including party activities and end time

• Send a letter to parents and alumni asking for monetary donations

• Consider hosting a fundraiser to finance the party

Once the hosts organize a committee, they can select a theme for the party or ask students to vote on a theme. This will involve the general student population in the party planning, increasing awareness of the after-party.

The committee can request ideas from students and should also consider available space and materials. They should consider donated items, items owned by the school, items parents can lend and even theater props from recent school productions.

Possible themes include:

• Carnival

• Renaissance

• Pirate

• Casino

• Halfway to Halloween Costume Party

• Cultures of the World

Rental Activities

If the committee raises enough funds, they may consider hiring performers and special event activities such as tarot card readers (for entertainment purposes only), commemorative sand art, professional musicians, laser tag, interactive video games and more.

Teens should be rewarded for abstaining from risky behavior on prom night. If possible, provide them with a door prize like an iTunes gift card and allow them to compete for prizes.

Don't forget about the logistics of hosting such an event. After the prom, students will need to change into more comfortable clothes. Be sure to provide separate changing facilities for males and females. If possible, offer a secure locker or other location for students' belongings.