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Description

Before you begin
You’ll need a ball for each person – you could also gather smooth stones or rocks to use instead, or use a mixture of the two.
The person leading the activity should show everyone the Yellow Card. They should explain that it’s Scouts’ code of practice to keep everyone safe and go through what it says.
Leave time for people to chat about the Yellow Card and ask any questions they might have.

Resources

Small plastic balls
Backpack

Instructions

1. Everyone should sit in a circle and the person leading the activity should put the empty backpack in the middle, explaining that it represents a person.

2. Everyone should take it in turns to take a ball and put it in the backpack. As they place it in, they should say something mean or unkind. They should try to think of unkind things (for example, ‘you can’t play with us’ or ‘I don’t want to be your friend’), rather than insults (for example, ‘I don’t like your hair’).

3. Remind everyone that it’s just a game – people can pass if they’re unsure. You might want to set some ground rules so everyone knows what’s OK to say out loud, too.

4. Once everyone’s had a turn, everyone who wants to should try to lift or hold the backpack and feel how heavy it’s become. This represents how it might feel to hear mean or unkind things – everyone should imagine carrying this heavy weight of unkindness around with them.

5. Ask if anyone can think of some ways they could respond positively if someone is being unkind or dishonest. This includes telling an adult if someone is making you feel uncomfortable.


6. Everyone should say sorry to the backpack. It may feel a bit silly, but it’s a good chance to practise making a proper apology.

7. The person leading the activity should point out that even though people have said sorry, the backpack is still heavy and full. Saying sorry is important, but it isn’t always enough.

8. Everyone should take it in turns to take a ball out of the backpack. As they take it out, they should say a kind or supportive thing. Everyone should try to say some kind or encouraging words (for example, ‘would you like to join in our game’ or ‘I’m glad you’re my friend’), rather than compliments (for example, ‘you have nice shoes’).

9. Once the backpack’s empty again, everyone who wants to should feel how light it is now it’s full of kindness. The person leading the activity should point out how much nicer this backpack is to carry.

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