Cuddly Condom Critters
Alyssa Napolitano
Hartwick College '13
Resident Advisor
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Message from the author
Hello!
I want to thank you for the incredible resource that ResLife.net offers RAs! There's been times where
I've been in a bind for a program idea, and I open a webpage to your site, and find so many different
possibilities!
My name is Alyssa Napolitano, and I'm an RA at Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY. This year, I'm trying
the program Cuddly Condom Critters, which is a diversity program (I betcha thought it was a wellness
program! Yeah, I plan on tricking my residents with the title, too!) My goal was to take a different swing
on a diversity program for the coming semester, so I came up with this idea (and took a smidge of a
program my RD held when she was an RA!) Cuddly Condom Critters focuses on the varying views of
birth control by five major world religions: Catholicism, Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, and
Judaism. This program also looks at different forms of birth control and contraceptives (I decided to
focus on nine.) This is a super interactive program, which is engaging for residents who are looking for
something interesting on a weeknight. The attached document describes the premise and protocol of
the program.
I'm excited to help build this great resource! Thanks!
Alyssa Napolitano
Hartwick College '13
Resident Advisor
Program Supplies
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2 large sheets of same colored poster board
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One sheet labeled “Types of Birth Control”
One sheet labeled “Effectiveness of Birth Control Methods”; large along the right side
Cutouts of each of the 9 forms of birth control that this program with sticky tape on the back
Female condoms, males condoms from Taralyn
Five 8 ½ x 11 sheets with name and symbol of religion
5 small jars (to be placed in front of the corresponding sheet
50 cutout answers per religious view (each view on a different colored sheet of paper!)
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I.E. For Catholicism: “Strong disbelief in any form of contraception that would hinder the potential of
procreation.”
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5 half-sheet answers (1 per religious view) – Paper color must correspond with cutout color
Condoms to decorate and play with
Tape
Glitter, pipe cleaners, pom poms, glue, etc.
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BUDGET = $10.00
Promoting the Program
The following were used to advertise the
program:
• Hartlink
• Facebook
• Cuddly Condom Caterpillar Cutout Flyers
Program Premise:
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Residents will learn about various forms of birth control, the effectiveness of each that is presented, and the
different religious views on the use of contraception
The forms of birth control to be visited:
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The religious views to be visited:
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Birth control pills
Birth control implant
Abstinence
Outercourse
Female Condoms
Male Condoms
Withdrawl (Pull Out Method)
The Morning After Pill
Birth Control Shot: Depo-Provera
Catholicism
Judaism
Islam
Confucianism
Buddism
Different portions of the program will include:
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Popcorn answer style: Types of Birth Control
Volunteers: Birth Control Methods Effectiveness Meter
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Based off of chart from Planned Parenthood
Effectiveness is measured by : x in 100 pregnancies
Religious Views: Drop Jars
Religious Views: Stereotyping Discussion
Program Timeline I
8 PM
- Begin Program
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- Introduce the program idea
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- Hand out cut-outs of answers
• - Ask residents to place the answer they feel best describes the view on
the use of contraception for a certain religion in the jar representing that
religion
• 8:10 PM
- Invite all attendees to gather around the two posters hung
on the wall (“Types of BC” & “Effectiveness of BC Methods”)
• In popcorn style, ask attendees to give examples of different types of BCFill in the “Types of BC” Poster with this information that attendees are
giving you*
• Once they have compiled a comprehensive list, move to the “Effectiveness
of BC” Poster*
Program Timeline II
• Ask attendees to volunteer to place the cut-out name of
one of the 9 BCs focused on in this program on the
effectiveness meter (I’ll need 9 volunteers!)*
• Once all 9 methods are on the poster, it will be my turn to
correct any mistakes that may have been made (using
information from the Planned Parenthood Effectiveness
poster)*
• * During this time, attendees can be working on their
cuddly condom creations (just need to keep their attention
on the program material!)
• 8:20 PM - Following the poster games, I will reveal the
actual answers to our religious beliefs question
Program Timeline III
•  To do so, I’ll place the half-sheet answer in
front of each jar. Then I’ll call all attendees
attention to me, where I’ll reveal the answers to
the entire group. It should be a ton of fun to see
if we were anywhere near being close to the
correct answers for any of them!
• After we reveal the answers, we will have a
discussion based off of a few short questions
(questions must be approved by TL):
Program Timeline IV
• Some of the questions for discussion could be:
– Do you think that the followers of each religion truly
identify with their religion’s belief of the use of
contraception?
– Do you believe that people who openly identify with a
religion may be discriminated against for their religious
beliefs on birth control? Are they stereotyped against?
• I.E. I’m Catholic, but I believe in the use of contraception. I openly
identify as Catholic. Do you think everyone thinks I’m against
contraception?
• 8:30 PM End educational portion of program
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** Continue with the fun arts & crafts! ** 
Resources
• Program Info:
• http://www.rcrc.org/Fanofbc/pages/positions.ht
ml
• http://www.epigee.org/guide/islamic.html
• http://www.jewishtreats.org/2012/03/traditional
-jewish-views-on-birth.html
• http://www.catholic.com/tracts/birth-control
• http://www.plannedparenthood.org/healthtopics/birth-control-4211.htm