If you work with minors and/or are a mandated reporter, be aware that certain activities can possibly open up an opportunity for participants to bring up sensitive issues such as abuse or suspected abuse, suicide or self harm, neglect, etc. Remind participants at the start of any activity if you are a mandated reporter and that they should only share what they are comfortable sharing. Strongly consider the risk level of your prompts and the examples you use as they will set the tone for what participants share. If you are not comfortable with the possible depth of vulnerability, alter the activity to be low risk or choose a different one. By using our activities, you accept these terms and conditions in full.

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Low Risk: Low risk activities ask participants to engage only on a surface level. The goal is to allow participants to gain comfort and develop the initial connections needed to begin to explore concepts, dynamics, and relationships in more depth. Low risk often refers to a mental and emotional level, but can also refer to a level of physical comfort. Low risk activities will very minimally, if at all, engage participants’ five senses in any way that may cause discomfort (touch, sound, smell, sight, taste).

 

Medium Risk: Medium risk activities ask participants to start to engage a bit more out of their comfort zone. The goal is to challenge participants to begin to reflect more deeply about themselves, attempt tasks or experiences they may not have tried before, collaborate and problem solve with others, and more. Medium risk activities will begin to engage participants’ five senses (touch, sound, smell, sight, taste), which may cause minor discomfort such as hand holding or being blindfolded. These activities will ask participants to explore this discomfort and how they can positively overcome it. 

 

High Risk: High risk activities challenge participants to step out, potentially far out, of their comfort zones. The goal is to have participants engage in something they don’t consistently experience. These activities can elicit strong emotional, mental, and physical reactions, which allows groups to often have new realizations, deeper, more vulnerable discussions, and breakthroughs. Facilitators should consider their group, and individual, readiness before asking them to participate and we strongly suggest providing a disclaimer* at the start of many high risk activities. 

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