EVENTS – Step-by-step: trails and hunts


from parents to help make the decision and take into account how much time the PTA can commit. Can you keep up with the social media posting and trail maintenance for two weeks? Will a long duration put people off hosting?


●DISPLAYS – Decide the kind of trail you want: scarecrows are always popular, and we’ve heard of bears, pigs and even Sunday dinners (not real, of course). Displays can be inside too – supporters could create something on their windowsills or display an image in their window. For outdoor displays, bear in mind the likely weather conditions and the possibility of vandalism.


●THEME – A theme is a great way to inspire display-makers and encourage some friendly competition. Classic themes include children’s books, fi lms, sporting events and seasonal holidays.


●CHARGING – Keep it free to register a display, making money by charging £2-£3 for a trail sheet, depending on the cost of any prizes. Alternatively, you may wish to run the event on a donation-only basis to ensure everyone can participate. Turn to p33 for a guide to online payment platforms.


●TIMINGS – Run the trail across one or two weeks. Gauge interest


●MAKE IT A HUNT – If you’re looking to elevate your trail, create a question sheet with your map, where participants can fi nd the answers at each display. Perhaps there are letters that need to be unscrambled to make a word.


●THE ROUTE – If there are signifi cant gaps between some displays, try to fi ll them. Can you get permission to erect something in green spaces along the way so that supporters who live outside the trail area could set up a display


‘Our garage sale trail raised £600!’


‘Once some of the lockdown restrictions were lifted last year, and car boot sales were allowed to go ahead again, we started thinking about how we could hold a second- hand sale and raise money for our PFA. We decided to hold a ‘garage sale trail’ one Saturday in October, inviting village residents to hold their own garage sales to sell good-quality second-hand goods. We charged £5 per garage to take part, and in return they were listed on a printed trail map showing all the garage locations around the village. The maps were available to buy for £1 each from the local newsagent, and we promoted


the event through the school and also on our village Facebook page. The event ran over fi ve hours, and


we asked buyers and sellers to adhere to the social distancing rules


in place at that time. We had 21 garages in total, of which four were from outside the school community. Sellers kept the profi ts from anything they sold, but were invited to make a 10% donation to our local hospice, Oakhaven, which many people did. At my garage sale, I also ran a cake


sale, with all profi ts going to the PFA. We raised around £600 in total, and after the success of last year’s event we are planning to hold another one this spring – hopefully just in time for another post-lockdown clear-out!’ Amanda Maidment, PFA chair, Milford on Sea Primary School, Milford on Sea, Hampshire (312 pupils)


pta.co.uk SUMMER 2021 51


there? From a safety perspective, make sure your map avoids main roads and areas with no pavements.


●REWARDS – If guidelines allow, offer a prize for completing the trail. Ask participants to vote for their favourite display via a social media poll and award a prize to the winner.


●STAY SAFE – Space out and rope off displays. Consider having them on common ground to avoid bringing crowds to private houses. Include social distancing messages on social media, trail sheets, posters and signs. Share images of displays online for those who can’t attend.


Alternative ideas SCAVENGER HUNT If people in your community are self-isolating, how about incorporating an extra challenge so they can get involved? Hide a clue to a general household item on each display. People walking the trail can work out the clues and ask those at home to fi nd each item. The fi rst letters of the answers might spell out a word, or you could request a photo of all the objects together.


GARAGE SALE TRAIL How about turning your trail into a practical event with a day of garage sales? As this involves more interaction, be sure to hold it in safe conditions – you should only hold a garage sale if non-essential shops in your area are open.


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