I work for a program at the University of Tampa (UT) that takes a small group of incoming, first-generation students camping, for two nights, before the start of the fall semester. These students participate in traditional camp activities, like canoeing, but also learn about UT culture and tips for being successful in college. This blog is about one of the activities we do with the students called "Step Into The Circle". This year at Camp Spartan we had 32 participants along with our 16 peer mentors.
Students sit in a large circle and are given a sheet of paper face down. The size of your group is going to determine how much space you need for this activity. After the last student receives the paper they are asked to flip it over and answer each question in silence. This paper contains an anonymous survey of about twenty different questions pertaining to race, religion, gender, and several other identities. After an allotted time the facilitators collect each form, shuffle them, then pass them back out. Next, the facilitators read each question aloud and the students are to "step up" silently if the person who completed the survey selected that identity. This round of the game allows students to get a visual of the number of participants who have the same identities that they do. However, because the forms were shuffled they cannot associate any of the identities to a specific person. In the second round of the game the students are asked to put the paper down. This is because they will now be stepping up for their own identities when the same questions are asked again. This activity is always an emotional one because the questions are intentionally personal. For example, "please step up if you were raised by someone other than your biological parents". After the second round the facilitators ask students for feedback on their feelings before and after the activity. The feedback we receive from students is always positive and encouraging. We use this activity because we want students to know that in college they are surrounded by so many diverse people, yet that does not mean they are not alike. Additionally, this activity teaches students not to be judgmental because we all come from different walks of life.
