It’s freezing, but who cares? Homecoming dances take it outside for coronavirus precautions.

Shortly after dusk, hundreds of students wearing mini dresses and suits began filing into Collingswood High School’s parking lot for their first homecoming dance since the pandemic — and that is where they had to stay.

With the temperature dipping to the 40s Wednesday night, some tried warming up by huddling in packs, donning sweaters, and wrapping themselves in fuzzy blankets.

“We wanted to offer as normal a year as possible,” said Superintendent Fred McDowell. ”The best place was outdoors.”

Across South Jersey, school districts including Lenape Regional, Paulsboro, Washington Township, and Burlington Township moved their homecoming dances outdoors for an easy-to-social-distance experience with fresh air and no masks. Similar steps were taken last spring for proms, held in venues from football fields and a farm to a zoo.

“It definitely wasn’t glamorous,” said Shane Moore, 18, a senior at Burlington Township High School, where last month about 100 mostly juniors and seniors danced in the parking lot decorated with festive Christmas lights on poles.

Added his twin sister, Paris: “It was freezing. But I think they adjusted well to what they could do. They just wanted to stay safe with COVID. It was better than nothing.”

In previous years, homecoming dances were typically held inside, before the coronavirus in 2020 shut down schools, and before they slowly reopened with safety precautions.

After opting for remote learning for most of the 2020-21 school year, Nolan Samson, a sophomore at Lenape Regional High in Medford, was excited to attend the outside homecoming dance, held in the school’s courtyard. When it rained, the dance was rescheduled for the following night, another cold one.

“It was pretty fun,” said Samson, 16, who added a sweater to fight off the chill. “They did the best they could with the circumstances.”

Glassboro High School sophomore Cartrell “Trelly” Moore, 15, and his classmates danced in a pavilion at the South Delsea Drive Park, a sprawling complex that includes tennis courts and athletic fields. Even though it was his second high school year, it was Moore’s first homecoming.

“It was fun being outside, but it was cold a little bit,” said Moore. “I’m glad they had it and I got to have that experience.”

Even with outdoor events, some schools limited attendance by holding lottery drawings for dance tickets that sold out within seconds. Guests were limited to current students — administrators were hoping to avoid what happened in a North Jersey school system last month when 200 students had to quarantine after they were exposed to COVID-19 at a homecoming dance.

West Deptford used a hybrid model for its homecoming, opening its gym and putting two tents in a courtyard for students who preferred an outside setting, said Superintendent Gregory Cappello.

Collingswood, which enrolls about 800 students, sold nearly 500 tickets for the dance, making it one of the most popular events of the year, said Dan Whalen, the dean of students. Like other schools, the district had the dance several days after its homecoming football game, which for Collingswood was against Cinnaminson High School.

Senior Hunter Volosin, 18, refused to let an ankle sprain from several days ago keep him away. Using crutches, he danced exuberantly for most of the night.

”I was not going to miss this,” he said. “I’m having so much fun.”

History teacher Eric Fieldman, serving as a chaperone, said he was happy to see his students. “That’s what you look like without a mask?” he asked sophomore Chris DeCero. “I’ve never seen you without a mask!”

Students checked in for the dance in the cafeteria and then headed to the lot in front of the Collingswood athletic field. A deejay played music under a white tent, and teachers served snacks under another.

”I wish it was inside because of the weather, but it so nice to see everyone’s faces, without the masks,” said Roberta Takata, 16, a junior. Added her date, Nathan Seidel, 17, a senior: “Obviously, it’s not ideal. But it’s better than not having it at all.”

They posed for photographs and huddled together on the asphalt. A few girls in sleeveless cocktail dresses and gowns rubbed their arms to warm up but shivered with goosebumps. Some girls wore knee-high boots, while others donned scrappy sandals with brightly painted toenails. A few walked on the cold asphalt in their bare feet.

Jaydah Powell and her friend Miranda Murphy, both 15 and sophomores, brought a pair of Crocs to swap when their feet were achy and cold. Both said having the dance outside was a good idea.

”We are so excited,” said Murphy, gushing.

Eventually, there were wardrobe adjustments: Some brought sweaters, hoodies, or sports bomber jackets. Mary Velazquez, 16, a sophomore, wrapped herself in her favorite gray flannel blanket, covering her magenta dress in the process.

When the deejay pumped out “The Cha Cha Slide,” they rushed to the asphalt, and the makeshift dance floor was packed the rest of the night.

The crowd paused to crown Jaslyne Clervil, 17, as homecoming queen, and Keenan Zelem, 18, as ”the ugly man,” a school tradition dating back for generations. Both were selected by their peers.

“I’m so thankful to God,” said a teary-eyed Clervil.

Said Zelem: “It’s cool.”

Typically, many students leave the dance after the crowning ceremony. This year, most stayed until the last song.

“This turned out way better than I thought it would,” said Whalen. “This is all the stuff we miss.”