With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, you might be struggling to come up with the perfect date for you and your partner. Though opportunities for fun outings on campus may seem limited, with a little imagination and outside-the-box thinking, you could have the Valentine’s Day of your dreams. So, if you’re tired of taking your date to the VI, use this list of spontaneous date ideas to find the activity that’s right for you.
- Conduct a seance
On a campus swarming with ghosts, why wouldn’t you want to communicate with a spirit? Just invite your partner to one of Kenyon’s many haunted locations: The Old K basement, the Caples elevator and the Kenyon Cemetery are all great options! All you need is a Ouija board and a belief in the spirit world. If you’re looking to take your seance to the next level, follow these instructions to ensure success.
- Hold hands and ice skate down Middle Path
Middle Path may be a tad slippery this Valentine’s Day, so why not make the best of it? Strap on those skates (you may not even need them) and slide your way on a tour of Kenyon’s campus. You can even make a race out of it!
- Have a snowball fight
Hearty competition is a great way to add some excitement to a date. The campus certainly isn’t devoid of snow this time of year, so it shouldn’t be hard to find the perfect location. You can express a variety of feelings through a snowball fight, whether that be true love that defies words or deep-seated resentment. And if you want to add an element of danger to the fight, start it right alongside a building where you’ll be forced to dodge falling snow and icicles.
- Commune with God on a silent church date
If you struggle to charm your dates with engaging conversation, consider a silent communion with God at the Church of the Holy Spirit. The setting can also help you and your date connect on a spiritual level, with the added personal benefit of self-reflection and rejuvenation.
- An outing to the People’s Bank of Gambier
With many of Kenyon’s couples unquestionably marriage-bound, this may be the year to set romance aside and start thinking about your future as a couple. After all, nothing is sexier than financial responsibility. Between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., you could combine your finances into a joint checking and savings account at the People’s Bank of Gambier, ensuring you’re prepared to work toward your future shared goals.
- Corral all of the campus cats as a gift
If you’re hoping to wow your partner with a gift instead of a date, nothing conveys admiration quite like a cute pet. If you’re worried about the price tag, spare the expense and steal one from the streets. You might be lucky enough to find a raccoon as well. Your partner will surely know the extent of your affection if you surprise them with a dozen cuddly animals in their room.
- Tempt fate — stand on the Peirce seal and/or walk on opposite sides of The Gates of Hell
Want to find out if your partner really loves you? Put your love to the test and violate campus superstitions to discover if your love for each other has the power to defy universal law.
- Play hide-and-seek in Chalmers Library
Maybe your relationship has hit a rough patch. Maybe you matched with someone on the Kenyon Marriage Pact, agreed to go out on a date and realized you had no chemistry whatsoever. Either way, your perfect date may involve hiding from your partner. If so, Chalmers and its numerous floors offer the perfect destination to flee and avoid the awkward tension.