Zen Counting | Leadership Heights

LEADERSHIP TRAILS

Zen Counting

Scouting

The radioactive isotope safely contained, you continue on your way down the trail. After a successful day you make camp, start a glowing green fire of slightly radioactive wood, and sing camp songs about UFOs.

In the middle of the night you wake up to an ominous silence. Concerned about your group, you decide to count off. With a loud voice you say “one” and listen with all your might, hoping to hear the voices of your intrepid patrol members.

Goal

Coordinate with the group to count to 20.

Goal

Coordinate with the group to count to 20.

Purpose

Practice skills of collaboration and coordination.

Materials

None

Setup

Sit everyone in a circle. Have scouts close their eyes.

Purpose

Practice skills of collaboration and coordination.

Materials

None

Setup

Sit everyone in a circle. Have scouts close their eyes.

Running the game

The goal of this game is to count to 20.

With their eyes closed, someone starts the count by saying “one.”
Any person in the group can decide to continue the count by saying “two.”
Anyone can say the next number at any time, but if two people call out a number at the same time, the count has to start over.
No person can say two consecutive numbers.
The only communication between group members should be counting.

If the group gets to 20 within the time, try setting your limit higher!

Debrief

The following debrief questions are meant to give you an opportunity to discuss with your patrol mates and reflect on the game. You can have one leader ask the discussion questions or you could take turns asking the questions, making sure everyone’s voice is heard.