How To: Host a Lock-In

Girls absolutely live for sleepovers, so why not throw a huge soiree? Here’s the catch: empower each other throughout the night! All of your friends will come out feeling fabulous inside and out.

• Find your location. For a smaller event, see if a church is willing to lend you their auditorium for the night. You could also try your school or your own basement or living room.
• Adult supervision required? If you're hosting in a place that requires adults, make sure the volunteers are women who can join in (but remember, you're still the leader).
• Wipe out the hate. Hide all media images. Take down posters, hide the magazines and DVDs and rid the other forms that hint at the sexualization or negativity towards the female gender.
• Feed your peeps. You can’t deprive your friends from food at a sleepover. Order some pizzas (preferably with veggies on top), or make your dinner into a potluck and everyone can bring in their favorite healthy eats. Remember not to talk about your body in a negative way when choosing what to eat.
• Set up camp. Because you’ll be sleeping on the floor for the night, make sure everyone comes prepared. Have everyone bring blankets, pillows, sleeping bags, and anything else they need for a good night’s rest.
• Make a game plan. Since this lock-in has a purpose, arrange what will go down during the night. Some activity that your friends can do could include:
  • Use role-play to reenact and solve scenarios you fear: the first day of college, a first date, conversations with mom, whatever. Practicing out the situations that you’re scared of makes you build up the confidence to successfully conquer it when the time comes around.
  • Everyone can close their eyes, and each girl should describe what she hopes to be in the future.
  • Each girl writes down a list of ten things that they like most about themselves (five each for physical and emotional). Don't be afraid of looking cocky; there's no judgments here.
  • Have each girl say a name she has been called. Other girls should raise their hand (but not say anything!) if they have also been called that name. Have the main girl explain how she felt about it, and ways that she thinks she can take action against the name calling in the future.
  • Each person can tell everyone about a time where they felt most accomplished. Not only will they reminisce on their good doings, but the positivity will rub off on your friends. Who doesn’t enjoy a good story with a happy ending?
  • Set up some karaoke time where each girl sings their favorite song with a positive message. If you’re too shy to sing solo, make it a group effort.
• Mind your manners. Don’t destroy your nighttime digs. Make sure everyone cleans up after themselves when the sun begins to rise.