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Prayer is vital for any successful NSO program. So are cool activities. To get your own idea mill started, here are some ideas that chapters across the country have tried and found successful:

Snowball fight
Students at Flagler College host a snowball fight that draws in the crowds. Why the draw? Because Flagler is in Florida, and there is no snow. So how do they do it? The InterVarsity students at Flagler fill the feet of pantyhose with flour and tie a knot. Then they toss it. When you hit someone with these mutated snowballs, not only do they fill the air with a floury fog, but they leave a big mess on clothes as well. Both a crowd and a cloud accumulate during the fight.

Workin' like a DAWG
At the University of Washington-Seattle, the InterVarsity students return to campus early and volunteer to be DAWGs (Dorm Acclimation Welcoming Group). They help incoming students get moved into the residence halls, carry and unpack boxes, offer their rooms for hospitality, and begin developing friendships in a natural context of service.

Former area director Scott Baker has witnessed the effectiveness of this ministry for 15 years. "Most relational networks are formed within the first two to three weeks of school," he notes. "For freshmen, this is often the loneliest time of their lives, so they are very open to making new friends." The chapter also budgets $200-300 just for food. "Free food is a universal magnet," Scott says, "especially if it smells good."

Un-keggers
In Milwaukee, WI, I-V students at two schools host an annual "Un-Kegger." For ten years, the InterVarsity chapter at the Milwaukee School of Engineering has provided a couple of kegs of root beer and a lot of vanilla ice cream, inviting the campus to make root beer floats during freshman orientation. They begin with a short introduction and skit about InterVarsity followed by a testimony from a student involved in the group. As guests line up, the chapter members mingle and get to know those who have come. Everyone in line receives a card to fill out with options ranging from "I'm interested in more information" to "Leave me alone." There are Bible study sign-up sheets at the ice cream table as well.

At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, I-V students host a make-your-own sundae with root beer to drink. The chapter hands out a calendar of InterVarsity activities and encourages students to come to the first large-group meeting.

It pays to get listed
Jeff Hupf, InterVarsity staff worker at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, says the chapter planned a big volleyball and s'mores night. The event was advertised in the UW Welcome Event Schedule for the first time, so the turnout was huge.

Urbana--not always in December
The five InterVarsity chapters at the University of Illinois-Urbana launch NSO with a "Back-to-School Blitz." All the InterVarsity students come back to campus two days early to catch up with friends, get spiritually refreshed, and organize last-minute details so they can be clearly focused on their mission of meeting new people. Here are some of their NSO activities:

• Mailings to every dorm.
• Publicity flyers on all 450 bulletin boards on campus.
• An information table near the bookstore all week, with 8-10 other information tables spread around campus so that IVCF is clearly visible.
• A "Flavor Ice Party" in each dorm where I-V students bring their new friends for popsicles, snacks, games and an intro to the specific InterVarsity chapter they'll be a part of.
• A square dance to build relationships (about 300 people attend).
• A watermelon bash with volleyball, games and fun.
• The big "Pizza Challenge": Pizza parlors donate 30 pizzas, and free samples are given out with ballots so students can vote on the best pizza. This draws a large number of non-Christians into the chapter.
• "Fun in the Sun": On the last Saturday of New Student Week, a picnic is held at a local park.

Forgot a toothbrush?
New students arriving on campus often need to purchase things they didn't anticipate. That's why the InterVarsity undergrad chapter at the University of Minnesota offers free rides to Target® and Cub Foods®. For two days before classes start, drivers with cars in the chapter help shuttle freshmen between their dorm and these two destinations. Staffer Peggy Olson says, "This is a very practical way we can show them the love of Christ."

The shuttle departure spot is across the street from dorms which have previously been saturated with flyers giving the dates and times that the rides are available. InterVarsity drivers load up their cars as needed and drop them off in the store parking lot. That's where another I-V student is visibly stationed with a car, a sign and a mobile phone to call for additional drivers if more are needed to return students to their dorms. A mobile phone at each place of departure helps keep everything running smoothly. A tally of students going and coming is kept so that no one is left stranded.

Seeing the sights
"Night on the Town" is a yearly activity at the University of San Diego (CA). The chapter loads new students into seven to twelve cars and takes them on a tour of some of the great spots of San Diego.

Chapter leader Michelle Kallas tells about the tour: "First we go to Horton Plaza to eat dinner. Then we visit Seaport Village to get some Ben and Jerry's ice cream for dessert. The Hilton hotel next door has a great view from the top floor, so we check it out. Our next stop is at Missions Bay, where we ride the roller coaster. Then we head up Mount Soledad to a place where you can see all of San Diego and all the way down to Tijuana, Mexico. It is just awesome, especially when all the stars are out. Our Night on the Town is a great time to get to know people and hang out in a non-intimidating setting."