Party Host & Guest Training

The Craft of Creating a Fun Party

With support from the International Town Gown Association’s 2025 Initiative, HECAOD developed two online modules, titled “The Craft of Creating a Fun Party” intended to train students on strategies to reduce their risk of experiencing alcohol-related harm at off-campus parties. These courses, one geared for party hosts and one geared for party guests, were adapted from San Diego State University’s existing in-person training for members of fraternities and developed using best practices in digital learning for an online learning experience.

Each course consists of four modules, hosted on The Ohio State University’s Scarlet Canvas learning management system, and can be completed in 90-120 minutes. Each course helps participants identify the goals they have for hosting or attending parties by thinking about the “good things” they want to achieve when hosting/attending parties and the “not-so-good things” they want to avoid at parties. Once complete, the course introduces concepts that are important for self-monitoring alcohol consumption, including standard drink size and factors that impact blood alcohol concentration (BAC).

The party host course identifies strategies for designing a party that encourages attendees to experience the good things of a party and avoid the not-so-good things. The party guest course explores strategies that can be employed before or during a party to experience the good things and avoid the not-so-good things. Both courses provide activities that show how the type of alcohol consumed and certain drinking choices can either increase or decrease their likelihood of meeting their goals at a party and opportunities for reflection on how they would respond in specific party experiences.

Through the generous support of the International Town Gown Association (ITGA) and the 2025 Initiative, both courses are currently available at no charge. Visit the ITGA website to access the course.