Hiker's Code: Decide at Every Junction

Groups of five move around a course of junctions; at each one, a real hiking situation offers three choices that lead down different paths. The good choice follows the route; the bad one leads to a longer detour with an explanation.

How to play

1. Setup and groups: the course has eight junctions, each with a card and three colored cones to head toward (3 min).
2. Course at an easy jog: the group reads, agrees, and follows the chosen cone; detours add an extra lap and a card explaining why (10 min).
3. Share the detours: each group tells about one they got wrong (4 min).
4. Each group writes a new junction with three options, and another group tries it (8 min).

Rules

• The group moves together; no one heads for a cone until everyone has decided.
• At junctions, wait for the last person before reading.
• Jog without passing other groups in narrow sections.
• Leave the cards at their cone for the next group.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the course uses short detours, and they read the card to the group.
• Reading difficulties: picture cards, with someone else reading aloud.
• Students left out of decisions: the group must rotate who gives the final answer.

Learning goals

• Apply rules for behaving outdoors.
• Make safe decisions as a group.
• Explain the reasons behind a choice.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cones: 24
• situation cards: 16

Teacher tip

Good situations: livestock on the trail, a closed gate, a storm rolling in, a teammate with a blister, a shortcut off the trail, a loose dog, a spring with no drinking-water sign. Common mistake: letting the fastest runner decide; require agreement.

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