Youth Retreat Activities

Youth retreats are an excellent way for young adults to have an opportunity to work together in a group but also to grow individuality. It is important to have activities planned for the retreat. These activities should appeal to a broad spectrum of emotions and personalities. Plan activities that help bring out creative spirits, but that will also offer the participants a chance to be pensive and thoughtful.

Activity #1 - Name Gesture

This activity is a great way to start a youth retreat day. Ask the participants to form a circle. Have them then think of an activity that they enjoy doing. Ask each of them to say their name aloud and then act out the activity. For example; if a participant likes to swim, she would wave her arms in a paddle action and say, "My name is _____ and I like to swim." The person to her right then has to repeat her name and activity (while acting it out as well), then say his own name and act out his activity. This continues all around the room until the last person speaks. You do not need to say everyone's name and activity that came before you, just the person to your left. This activity is a great way to learn names and to also learn one new thing about each person.

Activity #2 - Emotional Symphony

This activity shows how individuals display emotions in various ways. Five participants stand in a horizontal line. Another individual from the group is chosen to be the "conductor." Each player is given an emotion to convey. Examples include sad, happy, angry or thoughtful. Be sure to use diverse emotions. The players cannot use any words to convey their emotions---they must only use physical gestures or noises. The conductor stands in front of the line and points to each player one at a time. The player then must act out his emotion. The conductor can raise her arms for more intensity or lower them for less. The quicker the conductor moves from player to player, the faster the symphony of emotions. Follow this activity with a discussion of how you physically express certain emotions and how you can identify certain feelings in others without words being used.

Activity #3 - Journal Exchange

This activity encourages individual expression through writing, but also an opportunity for participants to work together to relate to one another. To prepare, you will need a small notebook or collection of blank paper for each student. Additionally, if you have 20 participants, cut up 20 small pieces of paper and number each paper until you reach 20. Ask participants to pick a number out of a hat and keep their number private. After they have received their numbers and books, ask the students to write about their greatest day of their life and their worst day of their life. Give them at least 15 to 20 minutes to do this. Make sure they do not put their names on the papers but ask them to write their number on the top of the page. Once completed, collect all the books and then hand them out to different people. Ask the participants to write underneath the previous owner's entry a reaction to the story. Ask them to write about what they can relate to and what they felt when reading it. Once completed, collect the books and call out each number to return the book to the original writer. Have the participants read the reactions to their writings.

Activity #4 - Therapist's Office

This activity focuses on problem solving. Ask two people to sit in chairs in front of the group. Give the two individuals a relationship such as roommates, siblings or parents, and a problem they are currently experiencing. The two people in the front of the room will then take on these roles. The job of the group is to play the "therapist" and ask these individuals questions about their roles and problems. Participants get to have fun with role playing, but also have an opportunity to discuss issues that occur often in a variety of relationships.

Activity #5 - Pitch a Tent

Whether your retreat is indoors or outdoors, this activity is a great way to encourage participants to work together. Divide kids into groups of four. Give each group a tent to assemble. Include the directions, but ask them to pick one leader and three followers. Give them only 30 minutes to assemble their tents. At the end of 30 minutes, have each group discuss their successes and challenges in following a leader and working on a task together. Discuss frustrations and difficulties, as well as successes.

Resources

• Ice Breaker Activities - Improv