For the past couple of summers and fall semesters, the Murphree Area Resident Assistants (RAs) have put on a water balloon fight near the end of that semester as one last de-stressor before finals start. In the past, each RA took a position at each faucet around the different residence halls in the Murphree Area (about 5) and filled until they reached their desired amount. For the first time ever, this year the Murphree Area RAs co-programmed with the Murphree Area Council (MAC) to have a water balloon fight and a luau as well as reached new record for them by filling 1000 balloons (the balloons were filled this year with a contraption that had 7 faucets attached to a hose and pipe so only one outside faucet was needed). This program was a new experience for many of the MAC members (being on an Area Government as well as filling so many balloons) but it was nice to have the veteran RAs right by our side to motivate us through the task at hand.

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This program was a Luau that was next to the Murphree Commons. It was set up with tables that had grass skirts on the edges as well as leis by one of the doors of Murphree commons with trays for the hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, and roasted corn. We also had a table for the drinks, chips, and condiments, like ketchup, mustard, lettuce and tomato. The program attracted people to come out because of the music it had on that echoed through the buildings, the people having fun throwing balloons at each other by the field between the Stadium and Murphree, and the wonderful smells coming from the grill. There were residents from other areas that came to enjoy the food (from the far side of West Campus). To advertise, the board put posters by high traffic areas (tunnel connecting the two parts of Murphree, Murphree Commons, and the dumpsters). It was a great program over all because of the amount of people it attracted and the organization (all the board members and RAs were able to fill their quota of balloons and the stuck to their positions on the day of the event). Starting the grill about an hour and a half before the program helped us have the food ready by the time everyone returned from the water balloon fight. We were afraid at first that we would lose people on the walkover from the field back to Murphree Commons but either the music or the smell of food helped guide everyone back.

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This was going to be the biggest event that MAC and the RAs were going to put on for Summer A so we wanted to make sure that we had a large attendance (which was achieved by posters made by the publicity director, fliers made by the RAs, and the RAs knocking on residents’ door to get them out as well as the fact this was the last weekend before finals started the following week.) We also wanted everyone to have a good time and leave with their stomachs full and with the satisfaction etched on people’s faces, I believe we achieved that goal.

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At the end of the event, a lot of the residents came up to the board as well as the RAs to congratulate us on a job well done. The effects of the program was that it brought residents and RAs together through food and the huge water balloon fight provided a break for people who couldn’t stand studying anymore. It also brought residents from other area to meet other residents through socialization as well as provided a great way to cool off on the last few rays of a hot Saturday afternoon.

Word Count: 93

The program went very well especially since there was some food left that was donated after the program ended (to not waste the provisions given to us by Housing). Two days before the event, the RAs and the MAC board members spent an hour to 1.5 hours to fill 80 balloons each so we could reach the 1000 balloon count (only a couple of balloons needed to be filled the day of the event because of this strategy). The beginning of the event was really nice, everyone gathered in the Murphree Commons in anticipation of the water balloon fight and then the RAs and some of MAC went with the residents to start up the lines of the field (the RAs and MAC set-up the field about an hour before the event.) After the water balloon fight, an ingenious way to clean up the field was suggested that we get everyone to take up a handful of popped balloons as an entry fee into the Luau. Once every got back to the Murphree Commons, they could grab a Lei and some food as well as socialize and dance to the music.

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If this program was done on another campus it should be done outside in an open space where it can be easily identified. For the water balloon fight, this should take place in an area that is grassy but doesn’t have any worn areas or any rocks. Seating should be taken into consideration (either near benches, picnic tables, or use Housing rented chairs.)

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