Carcinogen Fence

Purpose: To have the group work together as a single unit. (This is a good introduction to Blob Tag).

Materials: One rope approximately 10 feet in length

Activity: Stretch out the rope and hold it waist high between 2 volunteers who represent the tobacco industry. Ask the remaining group participants to connect themselves to each other. Their challenge is to move as a mass from one side of the rope to the other without becoming disconnected or addicted. Play starts over if anyone touches the rope (becomes “addicted”) or becomes disconnected.

Processing:

1. How did it feel when one of the group participants became addicted by touching the rope?

2. How were group participants able to prevent individuals from becoming addicted?

3. How does this translate into real life and smoking?

4. What did the rope tenders observe about the group process?

5. Did the rope tenders try to assist the group in being successful?

6. Why does the tobacco industry spend so much money on advertising?

Resource: Ropes & Challenge Education Curriculum