Girls: Project Esther – Spa Night

Project Esther: Spa Night's motto is, “Esther got a whole year, we get one night.” We charge the girls $2 and a snack to share. It doesn't take much prepatory work and even if you don't charge the girls, how much you spend on spa products and things to do are dependent upon attendance. For a large group, plan on spending approximately $75. Look for sales! You may also opt to tell the girls to bring their own favorite products and a beauty secret to share.

When you announce it, give away free coupons to girls who wouldnÕt normally attend your youth ministry. You can make the focus outreach, requiring your plugged in girls to bring unchurched girlfriends. Or this could be a bridge-builder between two or more different youth groups, depending on the potential number of attendees. Either way, provide flyers for the girls to hand out.

Find a host-home, where the atmosphere is relaxing and comfortable. Assure the host that whether they stay in their home during the event or not, you and any co-leaders will leave their home as you found it. Be sure and follow-through by moving any furniture back, cleaning up any rooms used, etc.

You can work the “spa” one of two ways: Buy spa products like masks, foot scrubs, nail polish, etc. at any retailer like Wal-Mart. Or you can recruit a Mary Kay or Avon consultant to donate discontinued items, samplers, or demo tubes of body and nail products.

Brush up on basic massage techniques because on the scheduled Friday evening for 4 or 5 hours, the girls come over and receive massages by female youth staff. If youÕre going to offer scalp massages, have them wash their hair before they come or wash it at your host home. Decide ahead of time who will provide towels. Paint their nails and let them put cleansing masks on, etc.

This is a great event to tie in anything from inner and outer beauty, self-image, and self-respect to servanthood (likening the youth staff pampering the girls to Jesus washing his disciples' feet).

Ideas for having a different “beauty” focus on your Project Esther evening:

• Sponsor Project Esther the night before high school prom focusing on pampering and last minute needs for the girls, not to mention quality girl-time before their big dates.


• Sponsor Project Esther for moms and daughters or combining the women's ministry and the youth group girls' ministry.


• Bring in real beauticians/cosmetologists or skin care consultants who are willing to donate their time to give professional spa care and advice to the girls.

With your left over supplies, give out coupons to girls to schedule a time to get together where you give them free manicures or massages, facials, etc. When they turn in their coupon for the service, you get to build an even stronger relationship with them.

Tips:

• It is best to split the Jr. High and High School girls into two different rooms or on two different evenings; again, depending on how many attend.


• Maximize the one-on-one time you have while painting a girl's toe nails.


• This is a good low-pressure opportunity to invite college-aged girls and women you think would be great at mentoring girls.

Remember to be creative!

Added by Kristin Welch, IL