We had this in our forum and just wanted to make sure everything still had access to the idea. Last summer (2009) we started a new idea of making youth group trading cards. Very simple concept. We bought a cheap laminating machine (about $60) and lots of sheets. We made our own photo which you just replace the picture of the person and change the words. On the front we have their name, picture, a logo, and the web site. On the back we include info on them like their favorite prayer, saint, their family members, and more.
Every time someone new comes to youth group we take their picture, have them fill out the info, and have their card thrown into the mix the next week. Every week who ever is on time to youth group and stays until the end gets a random card. If they have the card they can trade to others for one they do not have.
Every once in awhile we remind the kids that these can be used as prayer cards. Bring them wherever you go, pray for their family members, through the favorite saints intercession, and say their favorite prayer for them.
The kids still love it and we have enough kids in the the group that no one has all of them yet. Each week we add more to the mix. Youth come back a second week just to see their card. It is also good for the volunteers to be able to take them home and learn and remember names.
It does take some work, we are looking for ways to make the cards a bit easier to make, but it is well worth the investment. There is always a volunteer to help with the crafty projects.
If anyone would like the editable file that we use, I can email it to you. Please do two things:
1. Make sure you are our fan on Facebook.
2. Let me know you are in the comments of this post.
I will send you a .png file of a card along with some other things we have done to make the cards a bit fancier. You will need software that can edit the file, but that is not too hard to find.
God Bless!
