“You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink!”
As a leader, you can’t force friendship, but you CAN create an environment where it will grow.
What is a friend anyway? Many times young people associate with an individual or group just because they feel accepted. That is important, but it is only the beginning. Help them to understand that:
- Friends are those that help you feel good about yourself, are loyal to you, and most importantly, are a positive influence on you.
- Friends don’t use you for gain, but rather gain from you.
- If you want a friend, be one!
There are usually two types of groups we deal with -“old” friends and “strangers”. With old friends, we already know of “clicks” and positive/negative situations. We can plan activities to support/correct those established relationships. On the other hand, individuals who are meeting new people and forming groups can be handled in a more flexible setting where expectations have not been preset. Both groups have their challenges, but with pre-planning you can “tempt” the horse to drink!
- Secret Pals -rather than pre-assigning pals, have the campers draw a name at camp. The leader has prepared a box of “stuff” -candy, trinkets, paper/pencils, stickers, etc. Let each child select a items for their secret pal during the week.
- Carve a walking stick -each camper draws the name of another and during the camp stay, the groups sits around the campfIre and talks while they carve. Hopefully, they will pick us some information during the discussions and include those in their stick design. On the last evening together, they exchange sticks -telling what they have learned about each other.
- Use the campfire. At the conclusion of your activity, have them look at each other across the fIre and ask them to paint a mind-picture of those that they are sharing the experience with. Use this time to talk about friendship and what it really is. Ask them to share the experiences they’ve had during the camp.
Trail Activities -Are we there yet?
Most programs have recommendations for the length of hikes so that a camper can certify or achieve recognition. The good side of this philosophy is to encourage young people to achieve a goal. The down side is that not much is ever mentioned about what is going to happen on the hike -it is the end not the means. As a leader, consider the purpose of your activity in your planning. If it is for “miles”, okay, but first on your list should always be “NOT HOW FAR, BUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN ALONG THE WAY?”
- Pre-assign a plant to each hiker. Have them study about the plant and then when they see it on the trail, they can stop and identify it for the group and share information.
- Bingo cards. Give each hiker a card/pencil with items to identify along the trail. Give treats as they complete bingo’s -they can use the same card several times. Make sure cards are not left along the trail.
- Hug a tree. Team up in pairs and have on child blindfolded, the other leads them to a tree. Have the child feel the tree and to really get to know it. Then after being led away and un-blindfolded. Try to find the tree. Switch teams.
- Use your five senses. Hearing/close your eyes and listen; grass -don’t eat something you aren’t sure of; sight/start on the ground level and slowing look at everything, the n let your eyes move to the next level. Feeling/feel the wannth of the ground, the wind in you face the sunshine, etc.
- Nature’s Alphabet – find something in nature for each letter of the alphabet.
- Pine Cone Friend – carry a pine cone during the hike -encourage hikers to study their individual cones. At the conclusion of the hike or day, toss all the cones together and then have the hikers try to find their cones.
- Sing!
Games -Quiet Time –Rain –Evenings
Leaders need to be experts in PLAN B! When you’re at camp, you have no control over the weather and so you need to be prepared to continue on with a smile -and a bag of plans!
- Learn to do fun things -juggle, whistle, etc.
- Be a storyteller.
- Have a 1,000 tent games memorized.
- Paper Airplanes -have a “throw off”
- Give everyone paper & pencil and let them do their own thing.
- Crafts -make friendship bracelets
- Boxed games
- Write a skit or sing a song.
- Read a chapter a night.
The most important thing to remember is that young people can adapt very quickly and will have a good time -it is the adults who need to set the mood!
Resources -ACA regional conference, Boy Scouts of America, Alma Heaton Books, New Games Book