Mom's goal was to keep this big group of teenagers OUTSIDE of our little house for a fun evening. The party was in early December, so snow and wet weather were factors to consider. Invitation - We used waterstained, wrinkled paper containing the time, location and RSVP details with a hint to bring a flashlight and dress for cold, muddy situations Activities - We are rural, so the kids generally arrived in carpooled groups.  We had a bonfire going for them to assemble and wait for everyone to arrive. We then divided them into 4 teams.  mixed boys and girls. There were 10 stations set up around our trails. This would also work well at a local park.  THe stations were mostly rubber containers labelled Station 1" "Stations 2" etc.  THe instructions were written on index cards put into sandwich bags and taped to the inside of the lid. The kids were explained the general rules of courtesy and team inclusion.  Leave the station as you found it don't damage the property etc.  They would have to do the tasks.  Marks would be given or taken away for accuracy and quality. They were then given 10 pieces of string and told to go build a shelter under which 2 team members could sit.  A travelling judge (Dad) would be called to mark them and to give the next clue.  The clue would say "Go to Station #3". A different station for each team so prevent backups.  The teams would then run around the trails looking for the stations. After this first task they would return to the patios doors to show their efforts to the Main Judge (Mom). They would not be given the next card until all teammembers showed up. Mom had a score sheet on the table inside. Activity: Stations included: Soap carving - box contained bars of soap and basic eating knives. Kids were to create an animal and show it to the judge for points.  Marked on quality. Paperclips - container held paper clips. Make a 30 cm long chain. Marks added or taken off for too long or short. No ruler in container. Nails - Container held 4 pieces of wood and a jar of nails.  No hammer.  Goal is to hammer to nails all the way into the board. Marks off for bent nails or extras used. (Kids needed to find rocks to complete this) Noodles - I glued the lids of 4 empty water bottle shut. Dad drilled small holes in the lids. Container contained cooked noodles.  Task was to insert 10 whole strands of noodles into bottles. Marks off for too many or broken pieces. Judge had a cutting board and knife to easily and quickly remove open bottles for marking. Balloons - we have an air gun. We set up 12 balloons hanging from strings in a tree (Away from traffic!!!).   2 kids from each team had to pop a balloon each before getting the next card. Other teammates lit the area (while standing BEHIND the shooters with their flashlights). Fish - 1 teammate had to eat something gross. I had sardines.  Kids surprised me with not too much complaining but it was a good task because sardines are hard to eat quickly. Other option was for entire team to run around house 5 times. Lego - Station had lego pieces.  Make a person and an animal.  Marks on quality. Newspaper - station contained newspaper and a roll of duct tape.  Make a paper jacket and model it to judges.  Marks on quality. Apples - little siblings were set in treehhouse to keep them out of the way.  Party kids would run and call up password. Little kids lowered a bucket with 10 apples tell big ones to take out apples then raise bucket and big ones had to toss them back in.  Marks for successful apples.  Some teams chose to forfeit marks to gain time. Marks for first team to complete all stations. Second team etc. THEN teams had the option of going for a bonus.  If another team came in before they finished the bonus task they would lose their placement marks. Bonus task - find $1.76 in a bucket of mud sludge etc. This was great.  It was very cold so kids could only keep their hands in for a short time. Most teams posted a lookout and then took turns at the bonus task. Prizes for all placing teams. Celebrate around the bonfire until parents arrived. In all 2.5 - 3 hours of running 1 hour by the fire.  Perfect! Snacks - I had pizzas and pop in coolers on back deck where teams came to get projects judged. This kept them fed and watered as needed but OUT OF THE HOUSE!!! Cake - Cupcakes in paper wrappers by the fire.  Wrappers went into the fire. - no dishes!   NOTE : Kids were warned ahead of time that if they showed up in unsuitable clothing they would be required to wear Mom and Dad's sad items. Some did show up in too light clothes and had to change.  Having these clothes ready was a good thing as they would have been too cold to have fun otherwise. "