Preparations are in full swing for the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (Thon).

This week has been dubbed arts and crafts week in order for moralers to prepare props used during Thon.

Moralers are planning projects for up to 700 dancers who will participate in Thon. While some are busy making friendship bracelets, posters and hats, others are working on projects for the theme hours.

"The morale committees have been working on implementing over 45 events to keep the dancers entertained over Thon weekend," Matt Thomas, overall morale chair, said. "During this week, we are making everything that could possibly be needed for the events that we have planned during Thon weekend."

One of the largest projects for Thon is "The Walk," which alters the upstairs hallway of Rec Hall into a "surreal" experience, with mattresses on the floor and decorations to attract dancers, Thomas (senior-psychology) said.

"The Walk is a hallway that is converted into a funhouse sort of thing," said Jill Caughie (junior-psychology and crime, law and justice). "It transforms [the dancers] into another world."

"The Walk" involves a lot of planning -- three captains and more than 90 moralers are working to create it. This year's childhood theme is divided into nine sections for dancers, which include Sesame Street, Disney characters and board games.

"They can come in there and think of when they were younger," Caughie said. "It will get [the dancers] in touch with their inner child."

Along with "The Walk," many moralers are making specific items to be used for their "theme hours" during Thon weekend.

"My group is going to be making coloring books, large boxes and wedding veils," Jenn Milstein (junior-human development and family studies) said. "We all brainstormed ideas for the theme hour and then thought what would be feasible and how much the dancers would like it."

Theme hours vary for each morale group and for each dancer.

Along with decorating, many captains are still in planning mode. From assigning team members to groups to practicing the line dance, Thon preparations are still under way this week.

Preparations for the "Color Wars" to take place between different organizations are also ongoing. Each team of 90 dancers competes in various events before and during Thon. Families paired with the color-coded teams can win prizes depending on how their teams place in the contest.

Moralers are also gathering this week to make props they will use to get the dancers' minds off of their feet and into the cause.

"Arts and crafts week is when we have to make every single thing that is used within the hours of Thon this week," Milstein said. "Anything that you want to hang up for any morale event or for the theme hours [is made this week], so it's a lot of work."