ESCAPE to Colorado National Monument Stop 2

Scenic stop on the Alcove Nature Trail

NPS

Quick Facts

Location:

Colorado National Monument

Welcome to the second stop along the ESCAPE to Colorado National Monument experience. The purpose of this activity is to foster connection and trust with other people. We build trust in many ways: listening, sharing stories, etc. Like all the activities in this ESCAPE experience, there are options to do this activity solo or as a group. Once the activity is complete, you can answer the clue to release the second code word.

Group Trust Activity

Have you had the time lately to share your thoughts? What’s been on your mind? Sharing our thoughts can foster connection, trust, and build relationships with others. In this activity, you are going to get the opportunity to share your thoughts with one or two other people. If you are working in a group, divide yourselves into pairs or groups of three. Get your timers out once more. Choose one of the questions from the list below to answer. Each person will be given two minutes to answer the question with no interruptions. The speaker should take breaks when they need to and embrace silence if they are done speaking. The listeners should listen actively.  For the entire two minutes, only one voice should be heard. Try your best to maintain eye contact for the whole two minutes. Choose from the following questions, pick an order to speak, set the timer, and go!  

1. What brings you joy about being outside?   
2. If you could choose to do just one activity in the day, what would it be and why?  
3. Who is your favorite person to spend time with, why?   
4. Don’t like these topics? Choose your own topic.

Solo Trust Activity

Have you had time lately to share your thoughts? Sharing what’s on our minds can foster connection, trust, and build relationships with others. In this activity, you are going to have the opportunity to share your thoughts by writing a letter or note to someone special. Don’t have a paper and writing utensil? Consider using text message or e-mail. Sometimes we do not get the chance to share special experiences with others. Take in the world around you. Now in a letter or note addressed to someone you love or trust answer one of the following questions:   

1. What brings you joy about being outside?   
2. If you could choose to do just one activity in the day, what would it be and why?  
3. Who is your favorite person to spend time with, why?   
4. Don’t like these topics? Choose your own topic.

Second Code Clue

Clue: When we share cool facts or stories about our lives with our friends, we build this five-letter word.    

Write down the word and save it for later. Consider designating a “code keeper” in the group to remember or keep track of the code-words.  

Now that you have your word, move to “ESCAPE to Colorado National Monument Stop 3” to continue. 

Want more?

If you enjoyed that activity and would like a moment to reflect, write down a few words that come to mind following the exercise. How did it feel to be able to speak or write, uninterrupted? Was it hard to listen and not interrupt during the silences? For the group activity, how did eye contact feel? If it’s okay to share, what cool fact did you learn about your partner(s)?