BLIND CROSSINGS II

What: Trust activities for any group.  If Blind Crossing worked for you, these two variations will as well. 

Group Size: From 8 - 20.

Space Required: a large, relatively flat open space at least 30 feet square.  Works indoors or out.

Time Required: 20 to 40 minutes.

Props Required: none required, but a blindfold for each person is preferred.

Variation #1: Trust Run

Process: 

1. Facilitate Blind Crossings first.
2. Ask for a volunteer who is willing to run with his/her blindfold on.  Arrange the rest of your participants in a line at the extreme distance of your activity space, all with bumpers up.  The sweaty-palmed volunteer places herself at the other end, dons her blindfold, and then proceeds to run towards the other line, also with bumpers up.  It is the responsibility of anyone in her path to meet her palm to palm at the end of the run.  Allow for as many participants who are willing to give it a try.

Variation #2: Trust Pinball

Goal: for the Runner to make contact with each member of the group in the course of his/her "run."

Process:

1. Arrange your group of 10+ in the following manner: runner at one end of a field, a majority of the group scattered down field of the runner, and 3-4 at the far end representing the destination. All members of the group face the runner. The group should be proficient at “bumpers up.” The facilitator should initially place herself in the scattered group but closest to the runner approximately 10 yards away.
2. The runner is instructed to place his blindfold.  The scattered group then rearranges itself within its area so that the runner will not know the locations of the group members.
3. The faclitator gives the “Go” at which point the runner proceeds at his own pace, “bumpers up,” down field. (He will probably walk towards the facilitator.) The first person should meet him bumpers up, pause, then redirect his bumpers towards another member of the scattered group.
4. This continues, with group members shuffling as needed, until all members of the group have met the runner, at which point the runner is directed towards the short line at the end of the field where he is met by a member of that group and spontaneous applause by all.
    

Facilitator Notes:

1. Putting on blindfolds significantly increases the perceived risk in any activity.  And there is some degree of real risk here too.  Be vigilant.  Make sure everyone in your group knows the signal to stop (when you yell STOP).  Don't allow anyone to "play" with a blindfolded participant.  If your group is not ready, don't.
2. The activity was enhanced by all group members remaining silent after the initial “Go,” but this is optional depending upon the comfort level of the runner.
3. With groups of ten or less, or if the playing area is smaller, spread everyone out, omit the ending line, and have the group agree on a final person.

Observations:

Even after participating in the Trust Run, the runners slowed down, became walkers actually. Fruitful material for a discussion on What Changed, How We Come to Trust, etc. Did you find yourself speeding up at the end? Why or why not?

Perhaps even more significant are the feelings and reactions of the scattered group members. I’ve observed that everyone wanted to get into the act (Send him to me . . .) and that once the contact was made with the runner, both persons noticeably relaxed and the runner was gently sent on his way. A tiny moment of real empathy and compassion. While they were instructed on bumpers up and on pausing before sending the runner on (we don’t REALLY want a pinball-like effect) and had some practice, at the moment of contact they were acting out of a real caring for the runner, and it was mutually satisfying for both. It’s one thing to instruct a group on “This is how a person should act in this situation to care for the runner,” and it’s another thing to see the members really CARING from the heart. Or, as one participant noted, “It’s like, deep down, people really want to care and just need to be given the tools to do it.” How’s that for Experiential Ed?