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Ascending the Heights Session II: The Climb

Session Summary Orthodox Life: Ascending
The following will be useful in completing activities during this session:
The Icon of the Ladder of Divine Ascent This will be used during Part Two: Team Reflection.
Trust-Building Camper Guide This will be used in for trust-building Activity 3.
Trust-Building Teacher's Guide This will be useful for the trust-building Activity 3.

The session will begin with a prayer.

Part One: Activities
Campers "climb" a series of stages via trust-building activities resembling the ascent of Mount Everest. Each stage or trust-building activity will build upon skills acquired from previous "stages" in order to complete the task and continue the "climb."

Part Two: Team Reflection
Campers are shown the Icon of the Ladder of Divine Ascent and given an opportunity to reflect upon the trust-building activities they have completed. Each team is to develop a list of attempts, successes, and shortcomings that describe their team's "climbing" effort.

Part Three: Group Discussion
Campers will be asked to relate their trust-building experiences with the experience illustrated in the Icon of the Ladder of Divine Ascent.

Street Wise: Climbing the Ladder, Step by Step, Scene by Scene
Begin with a prayer.

Part One: Activity
Illustrating our daily ascent step by step (or, scene by scene), the campers will make a "comic" strip.

Part Two: Group Discussion
Reflecting upon the way we step…

Close with a prayer.

Instructor/Facilitator Overview for Orthodox Life Session
The primary goal for this session is to heighten the awareness of our ascent to/with God. The session has been designed to illustrate this point through activities, reflection, and discussion.

In the activities portion of the session, the campers will be asked to climb a series of stages similar to the ascent of Mount Everest The skills developed during each activity are but a few examples of the steps that St. John Climacus has described for us in his writings, which parallel our daily challenges and life-long attempt to follow a path with God.

It is intended that the activities demonstrate how straying from path (such as refusing to listen, having a weak sense of self-control, and putting ourselves before others) ultimately leads us into traps which can cause us to fall or fail. On the other hand, by following the path (such as listening to each other, controlling our instant desires, being patient, and looking out for each other) we are more able to develop skills that help us overcome the challenges and obstacles before us allowing us to ascend and become closer to God.

This leads us to reflection. After completing these activities, the campers will be given an opportunity to discover what it was that allowed for success or failure in the activities. At this point, you should introduce the icon of "The Ladder of Divine Ascent." It will be interesting to see how the campers relate their recent experience with that depicted in the icon.

From here, we move on to discussion. During the discussion phase, it is your job to facilitate a discussion through a series of questions that challenge the campers to relate their experiences with the everyday challenges confronting our "climb" with God. It may also be useful to discuss the role of preparation in "training" ourselves to confront the challenges before us.

The questions provided in part 3 are only examples. Please take the time to develop several questions in your own words that further challenge the campers to think.

Orthodox Life Session 2: Ascending
Part One: Introduction
While gathering the participants/campers, ask them to prepare for a journey. Pause for a few seconds, and then continue with, "You have been given a mission: (pause) …You are to climb through a series of challenges that will prepare you to climb to the peak of Mount Everest." Ask the campers if they are ready, and tell them that they will be briefed as they walk to "Base Camp."

Before leaving for the spiritual journey, open with the following prayer:

"O Lord Jesus Christ our God, the true and living way, be thou, O Master, my companion, guide and guardian during my journey; deliver and protect me from all danger, misfortune, and temptation; that being so defended by the divine power, I may have a peaceful and successful journey and arrive safely at my destination. For in thee I put my trust and hope, and to thee, together with thy Eternal Father, and the All-holy Spirit, I ascribe all praise, honor and glory: now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen."

In your own words while walking to "Base Camp" explain the following: "Within moments, we will climb through a series of challenges beginning at base-camp. The skills developed during our activities at base-camp will allow us to "climb" to Middle Base. Once we reach Middle Base, we will rely upon the skills we have developed to complete our activity and proceed to the Final Ascent. From here, you will need to cooperate using your skills and each other to complete the mission and await the reward."

Before beginning the first activity warn the campers: "Be aware! There are many snares and traps along the path that will try to prevent you from completing the mission."

Trust-Building Activity One: Ascent from Base Camp
Desired Skill-building

  • Opening our ears to Hear
  • Communicating without talking
  • Working Together
  • Assisting our fellow campers

Activity
Invite the campers to line up side by side, standing on a log. If you can not find a log to stand on, try a picnic bench or something similar. If all else fails, use a rope and have the campers stand on it "tip-toed".

Explain the rules: Without talking and without falling off of the log, the campers are to line up in order from January to December according to when their birthday falls on the calendar. If using the rope option, the same rules apply, but make sure the campers stand "tip-toed." If one camper falls than they must all start from the beginning. Emphasize that if any of the rules are broken, all of the campers must return to their original positions and begin again. Tip: When they start over after a few attempts, pause for a moment and ask the campers "What is preventing you from completing the task?" Once complete, congratulate the campers for ascending to "Middle Base."

Teaching Tips
Try not to talk over the group; rather, by keeping a normal voice tone, sooner or later, the campers will quiet each other down enough to hear you. The benefit of this is that the campers will be more inclined to listen to you and to each other.

Trust-Building Activity Two: Ascent from Middle Camp
Desired Skill-Building

  • Listening to one another
  • Trusting each other
  • Practice working together to arrive at a solution
  • Self-control of one's desires (to talk, to be impatient, etc…)

Activity
Invite the campers to form a circle. Then ask the campers to turn around, directing their faces outside the circle. Next have the campers place one arm on each of their neighbors' shoulders.
Finally, have the campers sit down on the ground (backs facing inward to the circle). Explain rules: The campers are to stand up together in unity. If the group does not stand together all at once, have the campers repeat the exercise.

Teaching Tips
In this exercise, the campers will apt to talk over each other, refusing to listen and work together as a group. It may be best to stand back for a bit and let them find their own path. With each unsuccessful attempt, ask the campers: "What is preventing you from completing the task?" With the completion of the task, congratulate the campers for rising to the "Final Ascent."

Trust-Building Activity Three: The Final Ascent **Camper Guide**
Imagine that you have left Middle Base and that before your eyes you see the highest snow-capped peak in the world! In your attempt to successfully complete the final ascent, you must climb to the top of the mountain. As far as you can see, there is only one path up the mountain and it is very steep and dangerous. Fortunately, you have a helicopter with enough fuel to take one team member to the peak. This team member can carry supplies that can help your team climb to the peak.

Materials for the Lesson:
Your team has a total of two ropes and each other.

Time/Reward: You have a limited amount of time before weather conditions change making it impossible to climb the mountain. You must think and act quickly. When time is called, who-ever reaches the peak will await a reward; whoever is still at the base will not receive the reward.

Tip: Before you begin, it would be wise to plan your strategy to ensure that you will not waste precious climbing time.

How to Climb the Mountain: (Climbing Rules)
Being that the path is steep and narrow, there is only room for one person to ascend or descend the mountain at any given time. One person from your climbing team must be chosen to take the helicopter ride to the peak of the mountain. To help the rest of your team ascend the mountain, the team member who takes the helicopter ride should also take one end of a rope. The other end of the rope remains at Middle Base with the remaining climbers.

Being that the path is very steep and dangerous, each climber may only climb (or descend) using a rope. This means that one person at the top of the mountain must support the "climber" by holding onto one end of the rope at all times. Note: You may not throw a rope down the mountain. It must be handed to the next climber. This is where it gets tricky; this challenge is a bit of a brain-teaser.

It is easy for one climber to reach the peak. He or she can ride the helicopter to the peak. It is easy for two climbers to reach the peak. Climber #1 at the top of the mountain can pull Climber #2 up the mountain using the first rope. It is easy for three climbers to reach the peak. Climber #1 can pull climber #2 up the mountain (with the first rope). Once at the top climber #2 may pull climber #3 up the mountain using the second rope.

But now, it becomes difficult. Both ropes are at the top of the mountain. How do the other climbers reach the peak? Remember, ropes may not be thrown; rather they must be handed to the climbers below.

How might four climbers reach the peak? How might five climbers reach the peak? How might six climbers reach the peak? How might everyone reach the peak?

This is your challenge. Within the given time, help as many climbers as possible reach the peak of the mountain so that they may also receive the reward and stand at the summit of the highest mountain.

Trust-Building Activity Three: The Final Ascent Teacher's Guide
Desired Skill-Building

  • Cooperating with those around us
  • Sacrificing for one another
  • Trusting each other
  • Utilizing our skills, gifts, and talents
  • Being Patient with others and ourselves
  • Discerning between what we know is good and right, and what is not

Activity
Separate the campers into two groups, making it appear as though each group is competing against each other. Give each group supplies to complete the task. Each group should receive one invisible helicopter ride for one person to use only once and two "climbing" ropes. Help the campers imagine the mountain before them. Indicate to them where the "peak" and "middle base" are located. Have the campers begin. (Keep an eye out for cheating) Create obstacles and stresses (see teaching tips below). Once complete, give campers the provided treat as a reward. (The treats are at your discretion). Take the campers to a place where you can hold a discussion.

Teaching Tips
The solution: It is easy for one climber to reach the peak. He or she can ride the helicopter to the peak. It is easy for two climbers to reach the peak. Climber #1 at the top of the mountain can pull Climber #2 up the mountain using the first rope. It is easy for three climbers to reach the peak. Climber #1 can pull climber #2 up the mountain (with the first rope). Once at the top climber #2 may pull climber #3 up the mountain using the second rope.

But now, it becomes difficult…Both ropes are at the top of the mountain. How do the other climbers reach the peak? Remember that ropes may not be thrown; rather they must be handed to the climbers below. How might four climbers reach the peak? How might five climbers reach the peak? How might six climbers reach the peak? How might everyone reach the peak?

The only successful way to continue is to potentially sacrifice one's own position on the top of the mountain in order to help the other climbers. Remember that a climber could lose his/her reward if he/she is caught at the base when time is up. At this point, a climber from the top of the mountain (for simplicity let us use climber #3) must descend the mountain using one of the ropes (while carrying the other rope down to the base.) It works like this: Climber #3 may descend the mountain using the first rope, supported by climber #1or #2. At the same time climber #3 may carry the second rope with her/him down the mountain. Once at the base, climber #3 can leave one end of a rope with climber #4.

Once again, climber #3 may be pulled back up to the peak, using the first rope. And, once at the top Climber #3 may pull climber #4 to the peak, using the second rope. Now there are four climbers at the peak, and both ropes are back at the top of the mountain. The process of descending the mountain with both ropes and then repeating the climb can continue until all of the climbers have safely reached the peak one by one. The risk of course is that you may call time at any moment, leaving some stuck at the base.

The challenge for the campers is to find the solution; and to determine who will make the potential sacrifice to help the other climbers.

Note: This activity is filled with potential discussion topics which may be helpful in developing more questions for the discussion portion of the session. (part 3)

Obstacles
As the facilitator it is your job to add stress into the campers' lives. At some point you may want to indicate that there are only X amount of seconds left. If campers complain that you called 30 seconds left 2 minutes ago, remind them that no one said how you were counting. You may want to mention that the "other" team is quicker or doing better and vise-versa.

Completion
The activity is complete when everyone reaches the top; or as the instructor, you call time as you choose. Some groups may get it better through an unsuccessful attempt. This is your call.

Part Two: Team Reflection
Materials for the Lesson
Pen and writing tablet
Icon of "The Ladder of Divine Ascent"

Activity
Separate the campers into the same teams formed during the last trust-building activity. Give each team a copy of the icon of "The Ladder of Divine Ascent." Ask each respective team to answer the following questions:

  • What characteristics and qualities aided the team to achievement and allowed everyone to ascend?
  • What qualities and characteristics led the team to short-comings, snares, and ultimately to fall?

Have both teams meet and briefly discuss the results from this exercise.

Part Three: Group Discussion
Goal: Campers will be asked to relate their trust-building experiences with the experience illustrated in the icon of "The Ladder of Divine Ascent."

Discussion Questions
What is the "steep" and "narrow" path?
What were the obstacles in the activity? In what way are the obstacles in the activity similar to the obstacles we face in our daily "climb?"
What tools do we have to help us "climb?" You may want to mention the skills learned during activity 3.
What do the ropes represent? How are we connected to others?
What can we do to avoid snares, traps, and straying from the path?
What is the importance of training ourselves to "climb?" How might we train to climb?
Do you think your teams would have been able to successfully complete the "Final Ascent" had you not prepared yourselves through the other skill-training activities?

Teaching Tip
If no one chooses to answer a particular question, allow the silence to continue. Often one person in the group will no longer be able to tolerate the silence and will answer the question.

Closing Prayer
"O Lord Jesus Christ our God, the true and living way, be thou, O Master, my companion, guide and guardian during my journey; deliver and protect me from all danger, misfortune, and temptation; that being so defended by the divine power, I may have a peaceful and successful journey and arrive safely at my destination. For in thee I put my trust and hope, and to thee, together with thy Eternal Father, and the All-holy Spirit, I ascribe all praise, honor and glory: now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen."

Street Wise Session 2: Ascending
Instructor/Facilitator Overview for the Street Wise Session
The primary goal for this session is to question the way we choose to live our lives. The session is designed to explore this through an activity and discussion.

In the activity portion of the session, campers will be given an opportunity to express their world through a series of "comic" scenes. Comic strips frequently express scenes in life that we commonly take for granted. Often, a comic scene may allow us to enter a sequence of thought that can trigger our minds to reflect upon our experiences with life. It is hoped that this potential experience will become a useful tool in fostering discussion allowing the campers an opportunity to examine the events they experience daily.

After assembling the group "comic" strip, the focus will turn to discussion. During this part of the session, the icon of "The Ladder of Divine Ascent" will be re-presented to the campers. From here, discussion can be directed into several related topics.

First, it is important to emphasize the similarities between the icon, an image we often associate with the church and our spiritual life, and the "comic" depicting the camper's understanding of the everyday world around them.

Secondly, it is important to discuss the scenes depicted in the "comic" strip. It is at this point that you may choose to question the sequence of events and choices that lead to the depicted scenes. Furthermore, you could choose to consider the results that stem from the decisions we make.

Finally, it may be useful to discuss how one might train or prepare for the challenges that will confront us in the future. Also significant is to consider what tools are available to guide us on a path that ultimately leads us closer to God.

A few discussion tips:
Silence is good. Silence often allows a discussion to get back on course. It also allows people time to think and respond. Embrace it and its fruit it produces may be sweeter than you ever imagined. Question. To facilitate discussion is to question. When a facilitator lectures, answers, or appears to "control" a discussion; the result is often that control is lost: minds wander; critical thinking is sacrificed; and people lose interest. A discussion "leader" chooses when to add comment and when to pose a question that points the discussion to a more preferred direction. Embrace incorrect or undesirable answers. Incorrect or undesirable answers often become "righted" through discussion. Group discussion is more like "thinking out loud" than it is an answer to a test or an essay. Just as an idea in your mind may become refined through thought, so to does an idea in group discussion. Time is on your side. What is important is not how much is covered in a short amount a time; rather, it is important to develop critical thinking and exposure to new ideas, etc.

Part One: Making a Comic Scene by Scene
The goal of this activity is to illustrate our daily ascent step by step or scene by scene.

Materials for the Lesson
Markers, Pens, Colored Pencils (and a sharpener)
8-1/2"x11" paper

Activity
Separate the campers into the same teams as they were in the Orthodox Life session. Have each group complete the following task:

  • Team One: Illustrate a series of daily "comic" experiences that cause us to become snared, trapped, or fall.
  • Team Two: Illustrate a series of daily "comic" experiences that allow us to "climb."

Once complete (you may have to call this one early) have both teams meet with their scenes. At this point, suggest that the teams reassemble the order of the scenes to incorporate illustrations from both teams, forming a "new," combined comic strip. Display the assembled comic strip so that everyone can see it. Begin part two, the discussion.

Teaching Tip
Before the campers begin to illustrate their scenes, have each group discuss what they are going to do among themselves. This should be a good test to see how much they remember about teamwork from the skill-building activities in the OL session. Review what is appropriate to illustrate and what is not.

Part Two: Discussion
The goal of the discussion is to reflect upon the way we step.

Materials for the Lesson
Comic scenes from the previous activity and the icon of "The Ladder of Divine Ascent" displayed in front of the group.

Discussion Questions
What makes a comic?
What is expressed in an icon?
In what ways are icons abstracted? Why are icons abstracted?
What story is described in "The Ladder of Divine Ascent?" Does the icon describe the entire story? How would you complete the story?
How is the "comic' strip similar to the icon of "The Ladder of Divine Ascent?"
What shape is formed when the comic series is tilted at an angle? (Hint: a ladder)
In what way does the comic represent our daily challenges?
Do we have control over the scenes in our lives? Can we avoid certain scenes or situations?
What is it that we are ultimately striving for? (You may not get an answer)
Looking at the icon and our comic; what causes us to fall into snares?
Are we looking for a "short-cut?"
Do the rewards that we receive from the short-cuts ultimately lead to where we want to go?
When climbing a ladder, can we skip steps? …what happens when we do?
What are the advantages of "climbing" step by step?
How might we train ourselves to do this?
What tools do we have to aid us in our path?

Closing Prayer
Psalm 23:
The Lord is my Shepard;
I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All of the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.