Hosted Parties are essential to the success of the Auction. They are fun, extremely popular, and – by far – our best-selling items and our largest source of revenue. But besides all of that, they are a great opportunity for community building! Whether you host a party or just sign up to come to a party, you are sure to have a fabulous time as you mix and mingle with other School Within School families that you may have never met.
What are Hosted Parties? They are “sign-up” events that parents, or a group of parents, agree to host for as many people as they find appropriate for the specific activity/party. Attendees can be adults, kids or a combination of the two. The hosts cover all expenses of the party, and 100% of the funds raised by the event benefit our school. Prices range from $20 to $50+ per person depending on the event, with most adult parties falling in the $25-$80 per person range and most kid parties in the $20-$40 range.
Parties don’t need to be elaborate, but they can be! They can be as simple as an organized kickball game for 10-20 3rd-5th graders at a local park for two hours and as elaborate as a Progressive Dinner hosted by multiple families. It’s up to you. Think Poker Night, Tequila Tasting, Treasure Hunt, Kids Scrapbooking, or just a casual cocktail party. You can host a lecture on quantum electrodynamics if you want – there should be something for everyone!
To host, please contact spiritparty@swsauction.org to sign up!
We need every single family at School Within School to donate to the auction …and Spirit Parties are by far the most fun way to do so!
Here’s how:
- Plan any type of party, activity or get-together for any number of adults, families or kids in the School Within School community (lots of ideas below!).
- Recruit your friends as co-hosts– it makes throwing the party much easier, and a lot more fun!
- Check in withus as soon as possible to discuss your idea/s and timing.
- Plan (with your co-hosts) to cover all of the costs of the party as your contribution to the Auction.
- Finalize your basic party info: how many guests, where/when, etc.
- Confirm event with us by March 1. Please allow the auction team to set the purchase price.
- We’ll auction off admissions to your party during the Online Silent Auction. All proceeds will go to support School Within School!
- Throw your party… meet some people, have a blast!
Party Ideas – Kids and Family
Host a party for your child’s grade level, or an age-range… or something where parents and kids can both participate!
- An organized flag football game for 10-20 3rd-5th graders at a local park
- Mani-pedi or “spa” party for girls
- Parents vs. kids Basketball throw-down
- Pool Party!!!
- Family Kickball tournament
- Trip to a Baseball or Soccer game
- Neighborhood scavenger hunt
- Tour of the local firestation and breakfast with the firefighters!
- Local picnic and Frisbee tournament
- Campfire cookout (i.e. s’mores over the backyard firepit)
- Super hero tea party for 5-10 PK-K grades
Party Ideas – Adults
Read on for lots of ideas – copy them freely, or use them as inspiration for your own social creation!
Competitions: (These are insanely popular)
- Cooking Competitions (baking, fiery chili, breakfast pancakes, etc.)
- “Amazing Race” scavenger hunt or photo safari (oh – the possibilities!)
- Karaoke or Air Guitar, with or without judges
- Game Night (Poker, Scrabble, Pictionary, Charades, Scene-it…)
- Tournaments – Basketball? Tennis? Parkour???
Workshops: Do you have a special skill, interest or hobby? Combine a “workshop” for a small group with drinks and appetizers – et voila! Super-cool party.
- Knitting, crochet, embroidery
- Baking
- Wood-working
- Flower-arranging
Intimate Evenings:
- A Culinary Feast for 6-12
- Ladies Spa Night
- A Book Club Evening– Propose the book in advance and discuss over dinner.
Excursions:
- Wine Tasting somewhere wonderful
- Shaw, Brookland, Union Market, etc. Foodie Tour
- “Glamping” or Camping – with one or two other families
- A classic Golf Outing
- Baltimore Aquarium
- Sky-Diving(?!)
Activities: Are you into sports/fitness? There’s always interest in a group workout followed by treats (and cocktails…)
- Yoga or other exercise followed by snacks or brunch
- Parkour
- Moms’ morning hike and brunch/lunch
- Dads’ Cycling “Tour”
- Broomball!!
- Curling!!
- Kayaking or Paddle-Boarding on the Potomac
- Ice skating at Yards Park
Theme parties:
Plan a party for adults around a theme with music, costumes, themed cocktails.
- Roaring 20’s
- Cinco de Mayo
- 70’s Disco
- Hollywood
- Taste of Italy
