This document provides instructions for an icebreaker activity called "Birthday Rope" where participants stand on a rope in a circle and silently line up in birthday order without talking. It challenges the group to follow directions precisely and communicate non-verbally within boundaries. Processing questions then explore how the group problem-solved, the role of the rope, and importance of boundaries.

1. Birthday Rope
Materials: a big rope
Set the rope out on the ground in a large circle shape. Ask all of your participants
to stand with at least one foot on the rope. Now, without talking, line up in
birthday order – by month & day only. During the moving process, players must
have at least one foot on the rope at all times. Ask the players to look at you
when they believe they are finished. Check out the order. If there are any errors,
give the group time to fix them – without talking.
Processing Questions:
How many of you believed you followed directions?
What makes it hard to follow directions?
What was difficult about this activity?
What kind of helping went on?
How did you communicate with your group members?
What part did the rope play in the activity?
Why are boundaries important at camp? In life?
If they get it really fast, make a second challenge: have every other person do it
with their eyes closed, still no talking & one foot on the rope---and line up by
height, shoe size or alphabetical order.