Values Activity
Goals:
 Understanding and respect of each others similarities & dissimilarities

Question with self reflection on whether or not campers live their values

Appreciation for complementary values and diversity
Materials:
Index Cards
Pens
Idea & Rules:
Start with a personal account of values.
“Example: When I was younger, my mom, dad and all the adults I looked up to stressed the
importance of honesty. It is a value I continue to live by”
Give each person 6 index cards. Have them right a value they find important on each card
(Counselors plant in: success, realism, humor, and artistic talent)
After everyone has finished writing down values, collect all the index cards and shuffle them into a
deck. Shuffle a few times and then deal out hands of 5 index cards to each person. The campers
now have a chance to trade values among each other or with the deck.
Require that each person at least 1 value: Either trade with the remaining deck, or choose to make a
trade with another individual.
Have the campers go around the circle and share 2-3 of the values in their hand. Did you get values
that you also value strongly? Where any of the values you to the same as the one you wrote?
After the discussion, have the campers throw out 1 value from their hand. Have them throw out
another value from their hand so they are left with 3 cards in their hand. Narrow down to one
Questions:
o
o
o
o
o
How satisfied are you with your final hand and how did you choose this one card?
Was it hard or easy? Explain thinking process.
If you showed your friends the 3 final values, would they say you live up to them
(how would they react)?
How did you go about prioritizing your values?
Do you think values change with time? Why or why not?
Do you have any additional questions or comments for each other?