Planning Friendship Group sessions Session 6: 2 hours Youth Alive Training1

Goal To integrate principles of group dynamics with practical ability to plan appropriate Friendship Group sessions for the Wednesday to Saturday conference To assist adult and youth co- facilitators in building a positive working relationship in preparation for sharing group responsibilities Youth Alive Training2

Needs Youth Alive participant’s manual Power Point slides Youth Alive Training3 P

Criteria of successful a Friendship Group A safe harbor for Friendship Group members during the conference Creates format to talk and share about what is being learned Creates format for Youth and adult to be connected Youth Alive Training4

Remember! In choosing activities, do not try to push the group –let them move at their own pace If Friendship Group is not connected, don’t be afraid to move to a “low risk activity” Be flexible Youth Alive Training5

“Grab Bag” of extra activities If one activity doesn’t fly, try another one This enables you to meet changing needs of the group Tension can be reduced by doing a relaxing game Youth Alive Training6

Problem-solving Youth Alive Training7

1. Late member Do not make latecomers feel unwelcome An appropriate gentle reminder will do Youth Alive Training8

2. Reluctant participant Separately talk with him/her about concerns May need referral to TLC counselor Youth Alive Training9

3. Disagreement between co-facilitators Discuss reasons and feelings with “Honor, Dignity and Respect Learn to negotiate Youth Alive Training10

4. Interruptions Remind the group of the ground rules Have signals between co-facilitators Youth Alive Training11

5. If one of the participants presents a major past problem Gently ask “How can this FG help now?” Support may be the main thing to do Demonstrate Christian values Youth Alive Training12

Making a partnership Encourage adult co-facilitator to introduce the “game” activities Youth co-facilitator introduces “working” and higher risk activities Youth Alive Training13

Always ask among yourselves, “How did we do?” Group will only thrive if your relationship is thriving! Youth Alive Training14

Planning together Youth Alive Training15

Suggested outlines for Friendship Group sessions Youth Alive Training16

FG Session #1 Opening What is a Friendship Group (FG)? What do you need for trust? Working Ground rules development Name Game Fire or Scary Three Truths and a Lie The Warm Fuzzy Story Closing Have group choose their own activity Can be praying or singing Youth Alive Training17

FG Session #2 Opening Knots or other team-building game Vacation Working Discuss speakers and activities Picnic Making a list Hey Buddy! Can you spare a compliment? Closing Group’s choice Youth Alive Training18

FG Sessions #3 - 5 Opening Game – Which ones do participants prefer? Circle Sway or Trust Walk Working Weather Report Feelings Charade Feelings Cube Risk Slips Tell Your Spiritual Story Practice Friendship Group gift – Presentation for Saturday night Closing Groups choice Youth Alive Training19

FG Session #6 Opening What happened today which was special to you? Working Discussion of questions derived from SS lesson – Success and Failure – Hat Full of Questions – Singin’ the Blues How have drugs/alcohol affected your life? And loved ones’ lives? How does the program of Youth Alive enhance your relationship with God? What’s the first thing you’re going to do when you get home? Closing Group choice Youth Alive Training20

FG Session #7 Opening Discuss ending of conference Working Rehearsal for Friendship Group Gift presentation – Keepsakes – Give Me a Hand – Brown Baggin’ It Closing Groups choice (Spinning Yarns is popular) Youth Alive Training21

Note: Remember to modify this outline to fit the group and its readiness stage! Youth Alive Training22

Plan with your co-facilitators what kind of activities to play for each session Have more activities planned than you think you will need Agree on who will lead what section Both co-facilitators should write Warm Fuzzy notes to each FG member Youth Alive Training23

FG number placards Small poster/placard with FG number will be given to you to hold up after the get-acquainted games Youth Alive Training 24 FG 1 FG 2

Evaluation after each Friendship Group What did I do that was effective? What did I do that was effective? What did I do that was not effective? What did I do that was not effective? How do the co-facilitators feel about each other? How do the co-facilitators feel about each other? Youth Alive Training25

Exposure to FG activities Youth Alive Training26

Low-risk activity game Fire Youth Alive Training27

Low risk activity game Scary Youth Alive Training28

Low risk activities Vacation Youth Alive Training29