Parameters: Two or more people. If there are more than 10 in your group, form small groups of 2 to 8 people. Can be done virtually or in person. Invite group members to tell a story or draw/collage about a part of their name.

Parameters: More than 2 people. If there are more than 10 in your group, form small groups of 4 to 8 people. Works well in person or online. Each person writes on a piece of scratch paper or in a private message to the facilitator animal they would choose to be and in what setting.

Parameters: more than 10 people in person. Facilitator prompts participants to either line up in some particular order (by birthday, for example) or gather in "blobs" based on something they have in common (number of siblings, for example).

Parameters: The larger the group the louder the rainstorm. If group members are sensitive to loud noise, consider stopping at #3 or #4. Explain to the group they are going to create the sound of a rainstorm with their bodies.

Parameters: More than 5 people, in person. Ask if everyone is comfortable touching hands. This game is not suitable if there are group members who don’t want to deal with touch at that moment.

Parameters: This game is for a larger, in person group. Put 3-5 unique and random items in each pillowcase. Break the group into teams of two to five people and distribute the pillowcases among them. Give teams instructions to create a skit using all of the items.

Parameters: Perfect for a group from two to infinity! Here is a great way to contribute to the ambiance of your gathering space while bonding. Giving people something to do with their hands and focus can take the edge off of socializing.

Parameters: more than two people, in person. Write get to know you questions (do you play a sport? what's your favorite band/musician right now? for example) on Jenga blocks. As people remove a block, they answer the question before placing it back on top.

Parameters: more than 2 people, in person. Can be done on video call. Make up questions to go with the different colors, (red=what’s your favorite movie for example). Give everyone a handful of candy or beads. Go around the circle and answer questions one piece at a time.

Parameters: more than 2 people, can be done in person, or on video call. The facilitator writes a bunch of prompts with blanks on cards (Ex: My favorite food right now is ____, a movie that I could watch over and over again is ____, my favorite place at church is ____, etc). Participants answer.

Parameters: more than 2 people, can be done in person, or on video call. The lead tries to discover the meaning of “teapot” by asking members of the group questions like, “Do you teapot a lot?” or, “What does it feel like to teapot?”

Parameters: More than 5 people, can be done in person or on video. The lead introduces themselves, is greeted by the group, then picks something about themselves they might have in common with other members of the group. Everyone to whom this applies makes an agreed upon gesture

Youth will learn the meaning of white supremacy culture, how it appears within UUism, and how to distinguish between cultural appropriation and appreciation, explore the history and present-day impact of colonialism, and understand what "Critical Race Theory" and "police abolition" means.

Parameters: at least 3 people. Can be done in person or online. This exercise helps participants become fluent in using non-binary pronouns. Have people figure out complete sentences with pronouns silently and/or in writing. Turn to a partner and practice.

Parameters: two or more people, in person. Have people sit in a circle and put their name on the top of a piece paper then pass it to the right. People write messages of affirmation, recognition or blessing to the person whose name is at the top of the page. Circulate until paper makes it back.

Parameters: In person. At least 5 people. If doing this in a larger group, consider breaking into smaller groups for time or to alleviate social pressure. The person holding the ball of yarn chooses someone across the circle to affirm and rolls or tosses it to them.

How do we share the love when our beloved high school aged youth grow up, cross that mythical bridge and become official adults? One simple and effective way to stay in relationship with our bridged young adults is through sending care packages their way!

Watch out for the jagged borders that actively or inadvertently keep others out instead of drawing the circle wider.

Like a red and white striped beacon in rough waters, the agreements we make with one another guide our way. Covenants are our UU theology of messing up & repair. They are what we can refer back to when we get lost. Like a lighthouse, our covenants create the conditions for safety.