Youth Group Programs: What do you want to do?

"What do you want to do?"
   As anyone knows, that's usually the completely wrong question to ask a group of High School kids who will answer anywhere from "dunno" to seeing the latest horror or MA15+ action flick to Laser Tag or  a raft of other expensive options none of them have the budget for... but the hope is to create 'ownership' of the program on their part and/or the opportunity to express affinities and connections.
   There is a simple alternative that might help [especially with groups of 10 - 50 punters] with groups of any size...
   Develop a series of categories or sub categories with options and set a number of activities from each with votes collated and a final draft program produced. This is a chance to set a limit on expensive choices but they re still choices, sports, craft, computers, team and group building, no or low equipment activity and a balance between 'in house' and away options etc... you can also have the group use the famous 'yes' voting to half each list plus one and a list of preferences will emerge.
   In the current context it's harder than ever to rely on loyalty and belonging as reasons everyone in the group will front up most nights... part time work, just not liking some choices and plenty of accessible alternative options create a 'culture of better offer' and render the RSVP a quaint historical artifact in most Youth Activities...

Examples: [not necessarily described this way on the whiteboard or voting sheets]

+$10 Laser Tag   Bowling   Movies   All U Can Eat   Live Concert
[Vote yes for up to three, 2 to be chosen]

Social Action   Fundraiser   Guest Speaker   Simulation game   Slave Auction   Exposure Visit
[Vote yes for up to three, 2 to be chosen]

In House   Board Games   Master Chef   Amazing Race   Team Games   Indoor Sport   'Build a' Night
DVD   Go Kart Build   Theatre Sports   Nintendo Wii    
[Vote yes for up to six, 5 to be chosen]

Leaves one Food Night, a worship planning or the actual planning night or one 'Life and Faith' Night where the whole night has a discipleship focus vs the struggle to do a 10min talk consistently... The 2, 2 and 5 most popular should easily emerge or be discussed from one 'yes' voting and then you can space them according to known calendar events, time of year, spreading the cost evenly etc...

   The same could be done with a list of themes, questions or issues for doing 'faith practices', discussions or input on with the group...
Peer Pressure, self esteem, who is Jesus? God Questions, Bullying, Sexuality, identity, design and hold a worship, plan for annual camp etc...