Cross the River - A Game About Set-Backs and Set-Ups to Success

Cross the River is an activity that presenters and participants both enjoy that represents the process of achieving goals by setting a path to success and sometimes needing to deviate from the original plan to be successful. In this game, students are tasked with the job of getting across a river that has stepping stones (good path) and lily pads (not a good path). Participants are challenged with

• working together
• communicating
• assessing, reassessing, and modifying from their original path
• trusting each other

as each member of the group will take a turn completing one step/guess for getting across. Participants will build upon the prior person's progress or forge a new path.

This activity is great at covering themes in Social Emotional Learning such as

1. setting and achieving positive goals
2. feeling and show empathy for others
3. establishing and maintaining positive relationships
4. making responsible decisions
5. understanding and managing emotions.

What's Included:

• Directions to set up
• Directions to give to participants
• Three Pre-set Paths
• ONE blank template to create your own path
• 64 Printer Friendly Grid Coordinates
• 64 Lily Pad Grid Coordinates
• A post-activity message for the participants
• A post-activity reflection worksheet (one page)

Use the reflection worksheet as a basis to have a small group or whole class discussion about goal-setting.

Questions are:

1. What was the goal of the activity?
2. What can be a connection between the stones and lily pads in relation to life? How does this relate to success and setbacks?
3. How does this activity relate to working with others?
4. What was the most difficult part about crossing the river? How does this relate to achieving a goal?

California Association of Director's of Activities Standards:

Communication:

Standard 7: Interpersonal Skills

7. The student leader practices problem solving skills, including identifying the problem, soliciting possible solutions from members of the leadership team, and then implementing an agreed-upon solution.

Personal and Social Development:

Standard 1: Group Dynamics

4. The student leader serves as a participating member of a group.

5. The student leader enlists others to share a common vision.

Standard 2: Goal Setting, Feedback, and Evaluation

3. The student leader creates a plan of action for achieving goals.

Standard 3: Social and Emotional Learning

7. The student leader negotiates conflict constructively.

8. The student leader seeks and offers help when needed.