Common issues and some things to keep in mind as you begin planning your MLK Challenge event:

Will students want to come to an event on their day off from school?
Yes! If you make this an exciting event. True, lots of students are used to having MLK Day off from school, but did you know that Congress actually designated the MLK holiday as a national day of service back in 1994? The purpose of MLK Day isn't to have a "day off," it quite literally is to honor Dr. King by making it a "day on" and by serving to honor Dr. King. Be excited when you're talking with students and groups on your campus -- this event is not only really meaningful, but its a lot of fun too. Students get free food, they'll have accomplished something, and will leave inspired. Talk it up...after the first year, people will realize this is definitely an event they want to make a "day on."

What if our groups get finished with their projects early?
This is definitely something to keep in mind as you're initially planning the challenge projects. Even so, sometimes a group is SO motivated when they arrive at the agency that they knock out a project with a whole extra hour to spare. Before the teams leave, remind them of the bonus challenge (if you've decided to incorporate that element) to complete as well. Also, bringing up the "IT'S ALL PART OF THE CHALLENGE" motto (see Day-of-Event Coordinator for more info on this) can be useful in this situation as well. It's fair to let your groups know before they leave that they might get done early...but it's up to them to make good use of their time, whether at the agency or somewhere else they see fit. Prepping your site leaders for this ahead of time is a good idea too.