Monster Activity

Purpose:
To let imagination lead participants on a wet-footed hike.

Age/Number/Setting:
This is best suited for the eight-and-under crowd, those still able to believe in monsters. A group totaling fewer than six children and adults works best.

Materials:
You will need transporation to a stream, wading shoes for everyone and a ready-made introductory story about the monster that lives in your stream.

How-To:
Tell a monster story with enthusiasm. Have the monster possess unique qualities for your special stream - for example, he may love rock cliffs or water lilies or other features particular to your stream. Keep the initial story short. Begin your hike and keep telling the story as you go.
Assume a playful spirit. You are free from the responsibility of putting realistic names on anything: insect eggs on the undersides of rocks can be monster eggs; a tree trunk shed of bark by a woodpecker can be a monster's rubbing post; a deer's bed can be a monster's footprint.

Offer the children plenty of questions but no preconceived answers.

Needless to say, you're a detective, too. A dry-footed leader sitting on a rock you cannot be.