| Title: |
Running in the dark |
| Summary: |
This activity allows participants to increase their self-confidence as well as the trust in other people, while moving in the space around them without the sense of the sight. In addition, it allows them to experience the dark in a sport activity. |
| Objectives: |
Experience the activity of running, but without seing; Increase their self-confidence and the confidence in other people. |
| Materials / Equipment needed: |
An empty and pretty big space; paddles or any object to make a noise; blindfolds for participants; sighted helpers to guarantee safety of the blindfolded participants. |
| Group size: |
Group can be of any size but just 1 person at a time can run. |
| Duration: |
15 minutes |
| Step-by-step instructions: |
Facilitator explains this activity which is, by the way, very simple.
One by one, participants should try to run. Before running, they have to wear a blindfold.
The Vi facilitator makes a sound with some paddles or any other object. The blindfolded participant has to run in the direction of that sound. This sound should last all along the running, so that the person knows in which direction he/she should run. When closer (around 2 metres), the sound should be faster so taht the blindfolded participant knows that he/she has to stop.
Sighted helpers (or other sighted participants) may check safety of the person who is running (in order not to put the person in danger).
After all participants have (or at least those who wish to) taken part into the activity, facilitator asks them to sit in a circle for a short debriefing.
The activity ends with a debriefing held by the facilitator using some questions for reflection e.g. the ones of the “Reflection / Evaluation questions” section. |
| Reflection and evaluation questions: |
To conclude the activity the facilitator asks participants to share their impressions, thoughts and feelings while running in the dark. Some questions might be: How did you feel? What did you find difficult? What did you learn/find out? Did you trust in the sound to know in which direction you had to run / to know when stopping? |
| Possible risk factors: |
Dangerous! It is extremely important to organise this game in a completely empty space (better if it is a gym or an outside area). |
| Variations: |
This is a great activity for young People! Especially to do in schools with teenagers or children. With adults, if they are not willing to run, you can propose them to walk until the sound instead of running. |
| Tags: |
|
| |