Three-Layer Outdoor Clothing Relay
In a relay, each team dresses a teammate "hiker" in the right clothes for the weather card they draw, following the three-layer system: a base layer that wicks, a mid layer that insulates, and a shell that protects. Students practice outdoor risk prevention, decision-making, and speed.
How to play
- Intro (3 min): the teacher explains the three layers with real clothes and why wet cotton makes you cold.
- Place a pile of assorted clothing for each team at one end of the blacktop; 20 yards away, each team of five's hiker waits by a cone.
- The teacher shows a weather card, such as "windy summit, 37°F" or "sunny valley, 77°F."
- In relay order, each runner goes to the pile, picks one item, comes back, and helps the hiker put it on in the right order; if a layer isn't needed for that weather, it can be skipped.
- When the team thinks the hiker is ready, the hiker raises both arms; the teacher checks and awards 3 points if correct, or explains the mistake and takes away a point.
- Play four cards (12 min), rotating the hiker; at the end (3 min) discuss which layer you can take off on a climb and why.
Rules
- Take only one item per trip and don't throw other teams' clothes.
- Put clothes on, don't toss them; the hiker can help get dressed.
- Run in separate lanes and stay at your team's cone.
Variations
Easier
Use only two kinds of weather (cold or hot) and show the right clothes before starting.
Standard
Four different weather cards and dressing with the three-layer system.
Harder
Cards include weather changes during the hike, such as "cold start, hot by noon," and the team decides what to wear and what to pack.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student plays the hiker or the checker who confirms layer order before calling the teacher.
- Hearing impairment: weather cards show pictures and the temperature in large print.
- Fitness level: place the clothing piles at different distances to even out the effort.
Learning goals
- Choose the right clothing for each weather situation in the mountains.
- Know the three-layer system and what each layer does.
- Make quick team decisions under time pressure.
Equipment for a class of 25
- assorted clothing: 40
- cards: 8
- cones: 10
Teacher tip
Ask students to bring old clothes a few days ahead and check them; include cotton items as traps. For hygiene, the hiker keeps their own T-shirt on underneath.
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