Reverse Trick-or-Treat: Service Learning with a Smile!
Written by: Ashley Johnson,Kelsey Koeneman
One of the most important things to us when we took over Student Government (SGO) at DeKalb High School was establishing it as an organization that fostered creativity, leadership, and philanthropy. In order to meet these goals, we knew we had to extend our reach beyond the walls of our building and get students off campus and out into the community. All the while, we wanted to make sure that we had a service project each month of the school year at the very least.
A simple way to do this was to become more involved with the other schools in our district: a middle school and four elementary schools. The idea of Reverse Trick-or-Treat blossomed from every kid’s (of all ages) love of Halloween. The community already had multiple amazing events including traditional trick-or-treating and various trunk-or-treats established around town. However, we knew we could definitely add to the fun! Bussing all the elementary students to the high school for an event would be a logistical nightmare, so we decided to take a bus of high school students to each of the elementary schools to hand out candy. Hence, “Reverse” Trick-or Treat!
“It’s awesome interacting with the future of DeKalb and how excited they are to see all of us dressed up.” – Caiden Hinkle
Preparation
Although Reverse Trick-or-Treat is a one-day event, the preparation takes up a majority of SGO’s meeting time throughout the month of October. Over the course of the month of October, Student Government members assemble the treat bags during our Student Success Time (SST). It takes a good three weeks to get everything together. Assembly lines and lots of twist ties required!Â
Our group of 24 students brainstorm what to put in treat bags and then assemble them. As Halloween approaches, we make over 1,700 treat bags to distribute on the day of the event. The members of SGO are in charge of bringing in the candy. This year, we decided on Smarties because they are affordable and low-risk when it comes to allergies. In past years, we have used Tootsie Rolls and had good luck with those. In case of allergies, we still do like to provide nonfood items. The Student Government Fund purchases the remaining supplies: treat bags, pencils, and temporary tattoos.Â
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In true Halloween fashion, our high school students dress up in costume on the day we deliver to the elementary schools. Of course, we dress merry, not scary. If conflicts do not interfere, we are typically visiting on the day that the elementary students have their own Halloween festivities, so they are also dressed up!
 Our students can bring their own costumes or pick from the stash we have acquired over the years. This year, our two hot dogs were the crowd favorites, but Taylor Swift, Belle, and Dorothy also had quite a few fans!
“I helped plan the entire event. This is my all-time favorite event because you get to make somebody’s day.” -Makenna Hutter
Visiting Elementary StudentsÂ
On the day of the event, we visit each school and break up into teams of two down each hallway in the elementary schools. We are in and out quickly to minimize interruptions. From the time we leave the high until the time we get back (with a stop at Starbucks, of course!) we have spent about 3 hours spreading festive cheer and providing each student in the district with a Halloween treat.Â
Our high school students get excited about visiting their former teachers, younger siblings, neighbors, babysitting charges, and more. The elementary students are thrilled to see and interact with the high school students. Each year, the elementary teachers enjoy getting to see how their former students have changed through the years. It is a wonderful time to catch up, an opportunity rarely afforded to them.Â
As you can see, Reverse Trick or Treat is an amazing way to connect the high school and elementary students. Going beyond the typical, this fun, yet simple, activity spreads joy to our students and all of the future students that we will soon welcome to the high school.
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