One unique event I planned recently for area Girl Scouts was Game Night: Bunco. I called it a “She & Me Game Night.” I invited Girl Scouts to team up with their mom, grandma, aunt, sister, best friend, or cousin for a night of competition and fun. We had about 46 girls and moms & grandmas attend. It was lots of fun. Here’s details of how I coordinated the event.

Registration

For this event, leaders pre-registered girls and their adult partner. I emailed the event flyer and registration form to all leaders in the area. I charged $5 per participant, both girl and adult, which covered game supplies, prizes, and refreshments. I gave leaders about a month notice before the deadline. I set the deadline for two weeks before the event. When you receive all registrations, divide participants into games of 12 players with 4 seated at each card table. Seat the Girl Scout and her partner opposite of each other at the card table. I had 46 participants register for my event, but I used three participants with Bunco experience as facilitators and we had three no-shows. That left 40 actual players. The ideal number of players for Bunco is 12 (three tables of 4) so I divided them into two games of 12 players and one game of 16 players.

The Agenda

The agenda for the evening included a welcome and a general overview of the rules of Bunco. Then I explained to the participants how to play Bunco. I posted visuals of dice arranged in Bunco, wipeout, and three-of-a kind as a reminder for the players during the game.

Set up

I arranged four card tables in a row for Game 1. I placed four chairs at each table. I placed red table cloths on each of these four tables. On the head table (table 1) I placed a bell and a trophy table decoration. For Game 2, I arranged three card tables with four chairs at each table. I placed blue table cloths on each table. I placed a bell and trophy decoration at table one of game two. For Game 3, I arranged three card tables with four chairs at each table. I placed green table cloths on each table. I placed a bell and trophy decoration on table 1 of game 3. The tables with the bell and trophy decoration are designated at the Head Table. This is important when the game begins.

Refreshments and drinks were set up at the other end of the room.

As participants entered, they were greeted by the host troop. Each participant received a pencil and the event program which also served as their score card for the evening. Participants were instructed to sit at any table and to sit across from their Girl Scout partner for the evening.

The Game

The head table of each group rang the bell to begin the games. We played three games of six rounds. Each group played at their own pace. When all groups finished three rounds, we awarded prizes. I awarded prizes for Most Buncos, Most Wipeouts, & Most Losses. I found cool dice-shaped containers and filled them with board-game themed candy and dice bracelets. Also, when each person rolled a Bunco, they received a beaded necklace. I found cool necklaces with dice beads. The girls loved them.

If you are interested in seeing the flyer, program, Bunco Rules, or other details, please send me an email. I’ll be glad to share the materials for this event!