Here’s the whole night in order, so you know what to expect.
Shown: a Monday. Wednesdays run the same, with longer games and conversation and a short talk at the end.
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01 6:50 PMSomeone’s waiting outside.The student leaders head out to the parking lot to meet you, so you never walk in alone.
02Your polaroid goes on the wall.A leader snaps your polaroid, and you put it up on the wall yourself.
03A name tag and a short form.Grab your name tag. On your first night, you also fill out a short form on your phone.
04 7:00 PMDinner’s on us.Grab a plate and find a seat. Someone will sit with you.
05Your small group.You’re put in one, so you never have to find one. A student leader starts you on tonight’s mental health tool, like active listening, one you can use for yourself or a friend.
06Something you do together.A game, a drawing or a play dough scene about the tool.
07Stickers, check-in, a group photo.Stickers and a group photo.Grab stickers for school, check in on your phone with tonight’s secret word, then squeeze into the group photo.Grab stickers for school, then squeeze into the group photo.
08 8:00 PMNobody leaves alone.The leaders walk everyone down the stairs and out to their rides.
02Who you’ll meet
Outside
Student leaders, waiting to meet you.
In the room
Amy Mays, who started Happy Crew, and the student leaders.
4 to 6 mentors.
At your table
A small group you didn’t have to pick, led by a student leader.
“I enjoyed that we were assigned groups so I didn’t have to deal with the stress of finding my own group when I didn’t know anyone.”
I was nervous to go but after the first 5 minutes I was comfortable and I realized that me and everyone else there had a lot in common.Graduated
The first night I went to Happy Crew we played the tangled game where we had to communicate and I felt like it helped me connect with people more than just sitting around and listening to a topic.Comes on Mondays
This is a safe place so I will share more.A Middle Crew student, after their first night
I remember we made ourselves out of play dough. I liked thinking about who I was and how other people saw me.Graduated
The video the teens made
04 Questions
The stuff people ask before their first night.
If you’re a teen
You can just listen. Nobody has to share anything they don’t want to.
No worries. Happy Crew is a great place to meet friends. The leaders meet you outside, someone sits with you at dinner, and your small group is picked for you.
High schoolers from all over Douglas County.Middle schoolers, grades 6 to 8.
No. You fill out one short form on your first night.
No. It’s free, and dinner’s on us.
Yes. A lot of people first came because a friend brought them.
Come when you can. You’re welcome back any week.
Yes, 30 minutes a night. Once a parent signs the permission form, scan the code each week and type that night’s secret word. The hours add up on their own.
If you’re a parent
Amy Mays, its founder and executive director. The Happy Crew is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Amy and the student leaders.4 to 6 mentors.
Dinner, then small groups. Each week they practice one mental health tool, like active listening, to use for themselves or help a friend.
Your teenagerYour middle schooler registers on the first night, and you get one permission form by email.
Happy Crew Coffee House, 9044 Forsstrom Dr, Lone Tree. It’s on the second floor. Take the side doors and the stairs, or the elevator from the main lobby. At 8, the leaders walk everyone down to their rides.
