RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - It was all about the boys on Nov. 16, when the Cosumnes River Elementary PTA hosted “Game On! Sons & Dates Fun Night Out" at the school.

The biggest attraction of the evening was a virtual video game truck parked on the playground. Equally popular was a glow-in-the-dark golf course set up in the library. Other activities included sports stations for throwing footballs, shooting basketballs, and playing miniature golf inside the multi-purpose room. An outdoor pickleball station also drew players, who braved the unexpected cold weather without trouble.

Dinner was another highlight, featuring Italian food from Olive Garden, pizzas from Go Fore restaurant, and decadent desserts like chocolate mousse and tiramisu.

In recent years, the PTA began organizing mother-son events as a counterpart to the long-running father-daughter dances. PTA organizer Lizzeth Delgadillo explained that they changed the name this year to make the events more inclusive for the adults accompanying the youngsters. Not only did this year’s all-boy event bring in some fathers, but it also gave some mothers the night off, she said.

The annual father-daughter dance, scheduled for February, has also been renamed to “Daughters and Dates” to reflect the reality that brothers and grandfathers sometimes step in as father figures.

Delgadillo’s initial idea for the boys’ event was an arcade with sports stations. However, her husband, Johnny Delgadillo, suggested adding video games to make it even more appealing. After researching options, she brought in a mobile truck with virtual video games, where a dozen boys rotated in and out every 20 minutes.

Looking ahead, she plans to have kids sign up for time slots to avoid long waits. “I also will look into more options for better games,” she said.

Delgadillo introduced another exciting activity for this year’s event—a miniature golf obstacle course inside the library. To create a virtual reality effect, she lit the course with a black light and painted small barricades and arches with reflective paint.

Her husband suggested another good idea: borrowing putters from Rancho Murieta Country Club. Club Professional Brian Little not only agreed but also designed an improved course and added some neon touches of his own.

“The kids just loved it, and we are going to build it even better next year,” Delgadillo said.

Equipment for the football and basketball stations came from PTA President Courtney Reid, who supplied items from her home. For the miniature golf game, Delgadillo purchased a Velcro target so kids could see exactly where their balls landed. She also created a balloon-decorated photo booth for snapshots.

Volunteers played a key role in making the event a success. PTA Board members served dinner, several fathers monitored the games, and sixth-grade girls staffed the sign-in table under the supervision of teachers Vandy Passmore and Jen Harder. Additionally, two Pleasant Grove High School students who had assisted at the Harvest Festival returned to earn more community service credit, along with Delgadillo's nephew, a student at Elk Grove High School.

“I think we are going to keep this as an event. We will continue to grow and improve it to make it even more exciting for them,” Delgadillo said.