innovative activity 10: slimy slip and slide

The slimy slip and slide is created by getting a huge tarp (or slip and slide) and mixing flour, water and green food coloring on it, so it looks like slime. All the participants are on one side of the slip and slide while a number of flags/objects are on the other side. The facilitator will allow 5 minutes for the team to slip across, grab one flag, and bring it back to their side. They're trying to get as many flags back as they can, with only one person going at a time.

This is a great game for the summer and it could be focused towards kids with autism. I think it would be beneficial for them to have the sensory stimulation of the slime and how it feels. Also, they would need to learn to interact with each other, because only one person can go at a time. This game will allow them to appropriately act within a group. They will have to use their social skills to work together as a team and retrieve as many flags as possible.

There are always risks when one brings out a slip and slide, so it's important to make sure only one person is on the slip and slide at once. Make sure there are no allergies to the flour/gluten.

Materials needed:
-slip and slide
-water/hose
-food coloring
-flour
-flags/objects to grab

http://www.thesource4ym.com/games/game.aspx?ID=768#

innovative activity 9: If you had taken a different path

Take everyone outside into the woods, where you, the facilitator, have prepared a route with different numbers of trails and forks to choose from. Depending on the size of the path, suit the number of participants to the amount of space you have. Allow each participant to walk through the course, making their own decisions about where they want to go. They can walk through together or they might end up splitting at a fork in the road. Set up obstacles on many paths, such as a muddy puddle, spider web of ropes, or snakes in a box/container. They will have to overcome the obstacles, or turn around and go a different way. At the end of the route, everyone will wait and together discuss their experience. There will have been many struggles, joys, frustrations, and excitement during their journey.

When this activity is done, debriefing will be crucial for the participants. They will talk directly about their experience on the path in the woods, and then they will share about the story of their own personal lives. With each person, it would be beneficial for them to point out what would have happened if they had taken a different path. This is meant to inspire them to change behavior and spur them on towards their dreams/goals.

When I found this activity, I thought it was most appropriate for people coming out of drug/alcohol addictions. Emotionally, they would be able to reflect on their choices in the past: how they made them feel and what consequences these choices led to. As they're honest with their desires for their lives, they will be able to openly pursue those things. It's so important to tell other people the goals we have, because they can keep us accountable to reaching those goals. Participants will benefit socially from this activity as well. They will see that there are people in their lives at certain times throughout their journey, but they might do some of it alone. I think they will find the value in depending on other people for support and help.

After finding a large, wooded area with already created paths, facilitator will need the materials for the obstacles. This could be anything from a bunch of rope to a pull-up bar. Make sure the obstacles are appropriate for the group. Also, make sure there is a very open environment so the group will know that as they share their hearts, there will be no judgment, only grace.

http://adulted.about.com/od/icebreakers/qt/adifferentpath.htm

innovative activity 8: blindfold drum stalk

The blindfold drum stalk is played out in nature, where there are many sounds and everyone's senses are stimulated. All the participants will be blindfolded and spaced out throughout the woods/area. The leader will sit down in the distance with something to drum on and will beat the dream every 10-15 seconds. As the participants hear this sounds, they will start to navigate their way towards the drum. When they get close enough and touch the drummer, they can take their blindfolds off and watch the rest of the group come in. (A variation to make it harder would include letting these people spread out and heckle the rest of the others with blindfolds. They wouldn't be able to touch them, but they could make sounds to try and distract them. This would increase the difficulty of being able to hear and focus on the drummer.)

Once again, this would be best suited for people who have visual impairments, but could be used with anyone. It forces us to use and rely on our other instincts, such as hearing. Be sure to have extra people around the perimeter watching so that participants don't run into a tree or walk off a cliff. Physical benefits include getting the participants outside and moving, rather than being inhibited by their disability. It is also a good activity in which to meet new people and practice social skills.

http://www.outdoor-nature-child.com/outdoor-games-for-teens.html

Innovative activity 7: Blind Kickball

This is an awesome game for people with visual impairments to play. It is basically like a regular game of kickball, but each team is divided up into partners: one with visual impairments (VIs) and one without. The seeing person will kick the ball and the one with VIs will be the "runner." The partners run the bases together, but the seeing person can't touch the person with VIs. They will have to direct them with their voice. Also, in the outfield, the seeing person is able to catch or stop the ball, but the person with VIs must throw the ball to the base or do the tagging.

I've adapted this game a little bit from the website where I found it, because they did it with a youth group and would switch up each inning the blindfolds between partners. It is amazing for people with VIs because first of all, it gets them outside, which is good for everybody. Secondly, it reinforces clear communication (social) and builds trust (emotional) between each pair. It also challenges them physically to refine their gross motor skills.

Materials:
-large playing field w/ bases
-kickball
-blindfolds, if not everyone has VIs

http://www.thesource4ym.com/games/game.aspx?ID=395#

Innovative activity 6: The Power of the Story

This activity is a really great one that is simple and doesn't need a lot of materials. Each person brings a personal item that is specific to them and they get to share about themselves and why their object is special to them. Depending on your goals as a CTRS, you can have themed days, where their item has to be related to a certain topic, or it can be totally random. (Be sure to send them a message or email the day before, so the participants remember to bring their item.) This item could be anything. It could be a favorite blanket or a teacup from their grandma. Also, the intimacy/level of the group is insignificant because this activity could really help a group get to know each other.

A few questions to prompt discussion:

• Why did they choose it?
• What special memory does it elicit for them?
• What is its significance given your topic?

The Power of the Story could be used with almost any adult group, but would be really neat for people with Alzheimer's. It could help them remember things from the past and it would stretch their cognitive abilities. One part of remembering is thinking of a memory in your head, but when you have to explain it to somebody else, there is planning and strategic thinking involved. It's important to note that this activity might bring up hard/painful memories. Know how to positively direct the conversation towards what they've learned even in the hard times. Not only would this be good for them emotionally and cognitively, but it would be a chance for them to socialize with others. They would learn how to listen to people speak, and they would need to take turns while talking. The therapeutic benefits of this game are numerous.

http://adulted.about.com/od/icebreakers/qt/powerofstory.htm

Adaptive Activities

Goal ball, handcycling, fishing and hunting, extreme sports, fitness activities, and kayaking. People with disabilities can do them all. This makes me so excited to work in the therapeutic recreation field. I love all the options, the freedom, the room for creativity and uniqueness.

It was good to see that adaptations to the things we use can either be really simple and primitive (like the ones we made for the art projects), or they can be very technologically advanced, like Ken's Power Caster. I tend to think of all the expenses that come up with adaptations, but they're not always expensive. Even if some may seem super simple, they will often benefit the people you're working with.

One thing that I really enjoyed last night was learning how to play goal ball. What an intense game!! It is played with a huge medicine ball that has bells inside of it. The game is typically made for people with visual impairments, because they are able to hear the ball coming. So we went outside and made teams of three or four. (This game can be played anywhere because the goal is the area behind the players.) So one team will throw/roll/bounce the ball towards the other side and the defending team uses their BODIES to stop the ball. I have never even heard of that game before class last night. This sounds like a sweet game to use to integrate people with and without disabilities. People without visual impairments could use a bandanna/eye covering like we did in class.

I'm continuing to get excited about people who are blind and the potential of working with them. I would really love to develop a climbing program (and maybe include camping as well) for people who are blind. This continues to surprise me about myself. I guess I kind of get things set in my mind about what I want to do, but I forget that the Lord wants to continue molding and changing my heart and passions. I'm excited to continue to be obedient to how the Lord is working on my heart and the things he brings up. He knows me so well. I'm always learning how to listen to him and follow him, because he knows what is best for me.

Art Activities

This past week was really fun. We were pretending to have visual impairments and do various activities. The first thing we did was walk around (either leading or following a partner) the building, outside on campus and hopefully into a different building. That was really cool and it really instills patience in you as you slow down your own pace and work with someone who might need to go a little slower.

When we got back into the building, we were helping our blind counterpart do art projects. The first time we were led into the room, we made a tape mural on the wall. This was super hard because we couldn't talk to each other, but there still had to be communication. To me, this kind of art wasn't very empowering, especially when I couldn't talk to my partner. I think this is something to take into account as I look at the perspective of my participant. Are they enjoying what they're doing? Do they feel like they can take responsibility for their art/project/recreation?

The next project we did was bring someone into the room and sit them at a table with clay. Then we had to communicate to them different things to mold/make without talking. That was really exciting to figure out. I learned that I LOVE affirming people when they're doing something correctly. It was hard to express that without talking, so I would pat Kelsey (my partner) on the shoulder if she got something right. I think expressing affirmation and encouragement is also SUPER important for us as future CTRSs.

Something I pondered as we were role playing visual impairments is the idea of working with that group of people. I love being able to help them see life in the fullest sense, even if they can't actually see anything. I really enjoy describing the weather, the flowers, the people that I can see, and what's going on. I'm going to keep that in the back of my head when it comes time to look for internships and such.

.Adapted Art Activities.

Last night we brought in articles about adapted art equipment that could be used for a variety of populations and types of art projects. We had researched different adaptations and many of the art tools we found were adapted for better grasping (example: bigger, heavier, longer handles on a paintbrush). There were also tables/easels adapted for persons in wheelchairs,whether they were cut out differently or motorized so they could adjust to a person's needs. There were some really sweet hook-ups for wheelchairs that were paint rollers used on big paper sheets on the ground.

Soon after sharing our different ideas, we began making our own adaptations to scissors, paintbrushes, markers, erasers, and pencils. Each group had the opportunity to be innovative and use whatever they wanted to adapt art tools. We made some paint rollers with bubble wrap, a foot attachment with a paintbrush on the end of it, really big stamps, and other bigger supplies. I think I learned in this class that you don't really need to be fancy with adaptations. They don't always have to look really put together, as long as they serve the purpose for which you made them. In TR, we're going to have to think quickly and creatively-outside of the box. I know that I often want my adaptations/creations to look really nice, and that is definitely a good thing, but it's more important for the item to be functional. It's beneficial too, to actually think about different types of people that we will work with. There will be physical/cognitive limitations, but we get to enable them. The focus will be on the ability and the gift, rather than on the restrictions.

innovative activity 5: relaxation warm-up

http://www.recreationtherapy.com/tx/txwpq.htm

The relaxation warm-up is kind of a transition activity that would work best for people who are autistic or those with disabilities where they're very stimulated/distracted by things in the environment. In this activity, the facilitator will prepare a very soothing environment in which the participant can come in and sit down while there is soft music in the background and nice soft lighting. The participant will be able to use lotion and various types of massagers (hand/head/back). There could possibly even be candles or incense. This type of environment could allow for participants to calm down and mentally/emotionally focus before heading to the next activity or home.

I think it's important to note that with the relaxation warm-up (or cool down), there can be too many stimulators used, especially for people with autism. Be aware of allergies in the group when it comes to types of lotion.

Materials needed:
-lotions
-music
-CD player
-massagers
-candles/incense
-book/Bible

innovative activity 4: flash mobs

I had to do this. I had to pull this into an innovative therapeutic recreation activity, because it is! A flash mob is taking a large group of people and doing something big in public. A few ideas are car cheering, singing and dancing, freezing, having a mass pillow fight, walking invisible dogs, having a fake proposal, etc. These events get many people's attention, especially when in a well populated area. I think the group that this would best fit would be a group of teens who have behavioral issues. With the process of picking out what they want to do, practicing, organizing times and places, it would be a good opportunity for the youth to work together making choices and compromising. It would also be good for them to know how to take responsibility for and pride in something they can accomplish. Organizing and performing a flash mob lets them be able to lead and encourage their peers. It is a great way to get people out of their comfort zone, but at the same time, allowing them to bond with each other.

Materials needed for this activity really vary, depending on the type of flash mob. One might need costumes or props, but usually the materials needed are very slim. Some things to think about with the at-risk youth would be the appropriateness of the performance, the location at which it's done, and the music that's used. Make sure everyone has input so they can call it their own and feel positive about participating.

innovative activity 3: inside snowball fight

This activity would be a really fun activity for kids who are in the hospital after surgery or who are cancer patients, or in the hospital for any reason. Basically, get everyone in their winter clothes, while still indoors, and take them to a room with a large space. Give everyone a small bag of marshmallows and let them throw them at each other! It's an awesome way for kids to have their spirit's lifted, for them to socially interact with others in the hospital, and to have the feeling of being outside the hospital. The only thing really needed is marshmallows, winter clothes, and a large space. Be sure to assess whether kids are physically well enough to be involved in some more vigorous activity and make sure all obstacles are out of the way so people don't get hurt running around. This is definitely easy, innovative and fun!

innovative activity 2: photo captioning

Photo captioning is picking out pictures and having people caption them. This can be funny, serious, memorial, or whatever you want it to be. Pictures can be brought from home or cut out of a magazine or newspaper. One could really take this in any direction, whether wanting it to be a really fun time of connecting and sharing with each other, or having them point out different body parts/muscles/bones. After making the different pictures, have the clients put them up on a bulletin board so they can have a display of their work. Or, if the activity was involved enough, participants could each make their own photo album of their captioned pictures.

This would be a really good activity for people with dementia or Alzheimer's. It would be a really neat way for them to have their memories stimulated and for them to be oriented with reality. They may need help with writing, cutting out pictures, and even thinking of ideas, but it can still be their project and their caption.

Materials needed:
-scissors
-glue
-markers
-extra paper
-newspapers/magazines/photo albums

http://www.recreationtherapy.com/tx/creativeactivities.htm

innovative activity 1: bedside nature activities

Bedside Nature Activities is the process of bringing nature to a client who is stuck indoors. This can take the form of flowers, plants, tree leaves, pets, snow, or basically anything that is able to be transported inside. It could be moving someone near an open window so they can feel the sun and the fresh air on their face. It helps clients to appreciate nature and be aware of the world around us. Activities or games performed with these natural objects should be stimulating and exciting. As CTRSs, we might want to have it be only a teaching time or incorporate a game somehow. The options are endless; one only has to be creative!

Though it is very adaptable for any population, the goals of this activity may vary. For example, if the person has serious cognitive disabilities, they may enjoy the feel and texture and beauty of the object/experience. On the other hand, if the person only has a physical disability, they may really enjoy being cognitively stimulated by learning about certain trees or plants.

There are a few things to think about when considering Bedside Nature Activities. It would be helpful to have a room in which to store the objects one is using; maybe a greenhouse type room, so plants can grow and thrive during the winter. Also, having a cart to push around different items would be very helpful. Consider the fact that some participants might have allergies to certain plants/pollens or certain things might be overstimulating and overwhelming.

http://www.recreationtherapy.com/articles/sourbybedsidenature.htm

Collaborative Art Fun!

Last night in class we talked about and created collaborative art projects. We talked about the benefits of collaborative projects in general. A few benefits/advantages were that it takes communication between a group of people, everyone is able to take responsibility for a part of the project, and it makes people aware of others. People are able to do just a little bit (or a lot) and not be afraid that they will mess up the project and it allows for the creative expression of individuals. Collaborative art projects in general allow for people to be able to encourage one another and work on solving problems as a team. It is also beneficial because there can be a wide range of skill levels/abilities working on one project. For collaborative art projects specifically, they help participants work on fine and gross motor skills and they allow for creative/emotional expression and relaxation. Another thing that is really great about collaborative art projects is that they have a process to journey through and they also have a definitive ending product. Many times clients want something to take away at the end, and art projects provide this.

So last night we split into our groups and were able to choose from different art supplies to come up with our own collaborative art project for the class to do together. We each had our own station (sometimes with directions for the activity) and we rotated around the room to combine our skills and talents into six different projects. There were things like a pictophone book, a q-tip painting, a mural, pipe-cleaner representatives, packing tape art, and a weaving of some sort. One thing I realized about myself is that even though I usually take myself to be someone who likes directed crafts, I really enjoyed the freedom to add on to each project in a unique and fun way. I never looked at myself as creative, but I thought it was a blast going around to the different stations and thinking of the most ridiculous things to do to each project. There was freedom in it. It was a fun way to get to know my group better and see our dynamics and how we work together.

The picture above is a picture of packing tape art. It is AWESOME.