Gather a few supplies today, and tomorrow’s program is covered. Here are three activities that take little prep and use materials you likely have on hand or can pull together fast. Members will build skills in writing, math, and reflection while they create, move, and talk. Pick one and run it tomorrow!
A Photo’s Story
Target Club Area: Art Room, Learning Center
Objective: Members tell a creative story through photography and writing, building storytelling, writing, and digital skills.
Target Audience/Age Group: Ages 9 to 18
Time to Complete: 2 to 3 sessions
Materials Needed: Club cameras, tablets, or phones; computers or tablets for typing; printer (optional); paper, markers, and mounting supplies, or presentation software
Skills Taught/Reinforced: Academics, Digital Literacy
Activity Summary: Members take a photo, then write a made-up story about what happened right before and right after it.
Activity Instructions:
This activity pairs well with an existing photography or writing club.
Session 1: Capture
- Give each member a camera, tablet, or Club-approved device. Review a few basics first: lighting, framing, and getting close to your subject.
- Set the ground rules. Ask permission before photographing anyone. Skip photos of people who say no. Keep faces and personal details off anything shared outside the Club unless you have consent.
- Send members out to shoot. Try a walk, a stroll around the Club, or a trip to a local park. Members who find scenery tough can start with action shots, like a game in progress, hands at work, or a friend mid-laugh.
- Have each member pick one favorite photo.
Session 2: Write
5. Share or print each member’s chosen photo. Tell them it’s the middle of a story.
6. Ask members to write about what happened just before the photo and just after. It should come from their imagination, not what really happened. Prompts help: Who is here? What do they want? What is about to change?
7. Let members write by hand or type. Pair up members who want a sounding board, and encourage revising after a read-aloud.
Session 3: Share
8. Members present their photo and story. Options include a printed gallery wall, a slideshow, a class zine, or a digital gallery using Canva or Google Slides.
9. Host a gallery walk. Members read each other’s stories and leave a kind note or sticky-note comment.
Reflection Questions
- What did you notice when you looked at your photo for a long time?
- How did the picture shape your story?
- What would you do differently the next time you take a photo?
Math Dodgeball
Target Club Area: Gym
Objective: Members practice math skills while staying active and working as a team.
Target Audience/Age Group: Ages 6 to 18, with options for each group
Time to Complete: 45 minutes
Materials Needed: Soft foam dodgeballs, paper, tape or clothespins, markers, a hat or container, whiteboard or poster for scorekeeping
Skills Taught/Reinforced: Math, Teamwork, Physical Activity
Activity Summary: Teams get players out to reach a secret math goal, adding up the numbers on their opponents’ shirts.
Setup (10 minutes)
- Review the safety rules: soft balls only, throw below the shoulders, and a hit above the shoulders doesn’t count.
- Divide members into two teams. Give each player a number on paper to tape or clip to their shirt. Use the range for their age (see below).
- Write goal numbers on slips of paper and put them in a hat. Each team captain draws one. Teams can keep their goal secret or share it.
Play (25 minutes)
4. Play dodgeball. When a player is hit with a ball below the shoulders, they step to the sideline and their number is added to the other team’s running total on the board.
5. Players on the sideline become the math team. They help the captain track the total and figure out which numbers the team still needs.
6. The first team to hit its goal number exactly wins the round. A team that goes over its goal must “reset” by subtracting the last number added, or loses the round, depending on the level you choose.
7. Reset the numbers, redraw goals, and play again.
Wrap-Up (10 minutes)
8. Gather the group and use the reflection questions below.
Choose the Level
Ages 6 to 8
- Use numbers 1 to 5 and goal numbers from 10 to 20.
- Sideline players use counters, a number line, or fingers to track the total.
- Count out loud together each time a player is hit.
Ages 9 to 12
- Use numbers 1 to 10 and goal numbers from 20 to 50.
- Sideline players keep the running total on the board.
- Variation: Use lower goal numbers. When a team hits its goal, the captain draws a new one. First team to complete three goals wins.
Ages 13 to 18
- Use positive and negative numbers, so teams must think about which hits move them closer to or farther from the goal.
- Switch the operation: teams multiply the numbers they hit, or work toward a goal using a mix of adding and subtracting.
- Challenge: The captain must explain the team’s strategy before each round.
Reflection Questions
- What strategy did your team use to reach its goal?
- How did the sideline team help the players on the court?
- What would you change next round?
Tips
- Rotate players on and off the court regularly so everyone gets time to play and to do the math.
- Use a mix of high and low numbers on shirts so goals can be reached in more than one way.
Heroes Among Us
Target Club Area: Art Room
Core Program Area: Character & Leadership Development
Objective: Members identify people who have positively influenced them and name what they admire about them.
Target Audience/Age Group: Ages 9 to 15
Time to Complete: 1 hour
Materials Needed: Drawing paper, markers, colored pencils, whiteboard
Skills Taught/Reinforced: Self-Expression, Communication, Reflection
Activity Summary: Members draw a portrait of a role model and share what makes that person inspiring.
Before You Start (5 minutes)
- Explain that a role model is anyone who has had a positive influence on them. It could be a family member, coach, teacher, older friend, neighbor, or someone they know only from afar. It does not have to be someone famous.
- Let members know they can choose who to draw and decide what to share with the group.
- On the whiteboard, sketch the five parts of the portrait as a reminder:
- Center: A portrait of the role model
- Upper left: A picture or symbol of the best or most interesting thing you have seen them do
- Upper right: A picture or symbol of what matters most to them
- Bottom right: Something they believe, starting with “I believe…”
- Bottom left: The quality you admire most in them
Draw (25 minutes)
4. Hand out drawing materials and give members 25 minutes to complete their portraits. Stick figures, symbols, and words are all welcome.
5. Suggest members start with the center portrait, then fill in the corners.
6. Walk around and ask questions to help members who are stuck: “What is something this person always says?” “What do they do when things get hard?”
7. Give a five-minute warning so members can finish their last corner.
Share (20 minutes)
8. Bring the group together. Invite each member to share their portrait. Sharing is optional, and members can pass or share just one part.
9. Suggested prompts for sharing:
- Who did you choose, and why?
- What is the best thing you have seen them do?
- What is important to them?
- What do they believe?
- What do you admire most?
Discuss (10 minutes)
10. Talk as a group. Ask: What themes did we notice? What surprised you? Which qualities showed up more than once?
Reflection Questions
- How has your role model shaped the way you act or think?
- What is one quality from your hero you want to practice?
- Could someone see that quality in you?
Tips
- Let members keep their portraits or give them to their hero.
- For older members, add a short written note to the hero, whether or not it is ever delivered.
What are your favorite low-prep activities? How do you keep youth engaged and having fun while also building skills? Comment below, on the BGCA Youth Development Facebook page, or email ClubXBlog@bgca.org.
