After some experimentation, we discovered that these 12 letter tiles can actually represent 17 different letters by thinking creatively:
- I can also be used as a lowercase l
- U can be used as a C or a lowercase n
- W can be used as an M
- P can be used as a lowercase d
This encourages participants to think outside the box, which is exactly the type of creative problem-solving we want to promote.
To improve visibility, I stenciled each letter onto the wooden tiles and outlined them with a permanent marker. A colleague also built a custom tile holder, making storage and transport quick and easy.
Ready to Play!
Rules (2023)
I introduced Stepping Words during our recent camp staff training with two groups. Based on those sessions, these are the rules we plan to use with our campers this season.
- Boundary Area: Approximately 1,525 cm (15.25 metres) from the Start line to the Finish line. We use lengths of webbing to mark the banks of our Lava River (our camp’s prehistoric theme).
- The objective is to spell words to move safely across the Lava River.
- Words must contain 2 to 5 letters.
- We originally allowed longer words, but they made the challenge too easy and reduced teamwork and interaction.
- Words must be placed in alternating directions:
- UP words move towards the Finish line.
- ACROSS words run parallel to the Finish line.
- As each letter tile is placed, a participant must step onto it within one second, otherwise the tile is considered to have floated away and is removed.
- Any participant who places a tile becomes responsible for that tile for the remainder of the activity.
- Example: If you place the W tile, you remain responsible for it throughout the challenge.
- (We’re still testing this rule to see how it affects gameplay.)
- Participants may be responsible for up to two tiles, provided they are maintaining physical contact with both.
- Once a complete word is formed and every letter is occupied by a participant, that word may be dismantled so the letters can be reused to create new words further along the route.
- No jumping is allowed. At least one foot must remain on a letter tile at all times while inside the boundary area.
- If a participant touches the Lava (the ground), they must return to the starting shore for first aid before rejoining the activity.
- Returning participants may only re-enter the course by stepping onto a correctly formed 2 to 5 letter word.
Ready… Set… Go!
