Every yearbook journey begins with a plan. Whether you’re a first-year adviser or a seasoned pro, your Walsworth Planning Kit is one of the most valuable tools you’ll use all year. Inside this box are resources created to save time, spark creativity and keep your staff organized – but only if they open it.
That’s why our newest Timely Tips lesson plan turns opening the box into an interactive activity. The Planning Kit Scavenger Hunt is a simple, engaging way to get your students familiar with everything inside the kit and ready to put it to work.
Why Start with the Planning Kit?
The 2026 Planning Kit was designed to guide your staff through every step of yearbook production. From the big-picture Yearbook Blueprint to a ladder poster, font catalog and deadline calendars, the kit includes tools to help students feel confident and prepared.
But too often, these resources stay tucked away. The scavenger hunt is a low-pressure way to build familiarity with the tools and spark conversations about how your team will use them.
How the Activity Works
In just 30 minutes, you can take your staff from curious to confident:
- Start with a quick intro – Explain that the Planning Kit is the roadmap for their book. A few minutes of orientation helps students understand why it matters.
- Break into groups – Two to four students per group works best. Give each group a Kit and a scavenger hunt checklist.
- Search and discover – Some of the items on the list include:
- Find the Yearbook Blueprint and choose one section to focus your efforts on this year.
- Locate the Ladder Poster and mark where to begin.
- Explore the Font Catalog and pick a font combination for headlines.
- Identify the first major deadline on the Calendar and discuss strategies to meet it.
- Share discoveries – Each group shares one item they found most useful and how they plan to use it.
Students leave the activity knowing what’s inside the Kit, where to find things and how those items support their work. More importantly, they’ll feel ownership of the process.
Turn Tools Into Action
The Planning Kit isn’t just for show. Advisers who make the most of it often see better organization and stronger books. Here are a few tips to keep momentum going:
- Hang the Ladder Poster where everyone can see it.
- Make the Deadline Calendar part of your class routine.
- Encourage staff to revisit the Font Catalog and Yearbook Blueprint as they develop their theme.
And don’t forget – your 2026 Kit is also available online for easy access. Share the digital Planning Kit on yearbookhelp.com with your staff so they always have the tools they need, even outside the classroom.
The Payoff
The scavenger hunt works because it makes the Planning Kit hands-on and collaborative. Students have fun, learn quickly and gain confidence in using professional tools. Advisers benefit from a staff that’s ready to plan smart, meet deadlines and create a book they’ll be proud to deliver.
When the first big deadline hits, you’ll be glad your students know exactly where to look. Open the box, explore everything the Kit has to offer and set the tone for a productive, creative year. And check back for new lesson plans weekly.
