PERSEVERANCE PART 2

Tell Explorers that persistence often pays off in life. A game that illustrates how success comes to those who continue to strive is 20 Questions. In this game, the person who is “It” thinks of something—animal, mineral, or plant—and the others take turns attempting to determine what “It” is thinking of by asking questions that can be answered only with “yes” or “no.” If the person who asks the question gets a “yes” answer, he or she gets to ask another question. If he or she gets a “no” answer, it is the next person’s turn to ask a question.

Select a participant to be “It” and have the group play a round of 20 Questions. Let the Explorers continue asking questions until someone figures out what “It” is thinking of. Then, that person gets to be “It.” Continue through three or four games.

Then lead a discussion:

• Point out to Explorers that some of the games ended fairly quickly. Others took longer and were more challenging. Note that the games that were harder took persistence and perseverance on their part to be able to figure it out.
• Ask the Explorers to explain which rounds of the game were the most fun to play and why.
• When they mention the ones that were more interesting or intellectually challenging, point out that other things in life are similar. Obstacles to goals can be seen as “puzzles” or challenges that we get to figure out how to solve. Instead of seeing these challenges as burdensome, they can be viewed as part of a “game”—something fun, as in the game 20 Questions.

Give Explorers a copy of the Seeking Your Goal activity sheet and explain that it is a maze that they are to solve. Using a pencil or pen, have Explorers begin at “Start Here” and trace their way to “Goal” at the end of the maze without crossing a line.

Use the questions below to carry out a closing reflection.