Summit

Name and Purpose

• Summit uses the parachute air bubble as a shared ‘mountain’ for volunteers to climb.
• Players build trust, cooperation, and timing while holding steady for their teammates.

a.k.a.

• Parachute Mountain, Air Dome Climb

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Ages 8-14 | 10-30 players | 10-15 minutes | Large flat open space, indoors or outdoors, with clear overhead space

Materials

• One large parachute

Quick-Run Card

1. Circle up and hold the parachute edge with both hands.
2. Step in one pace, pull the fabric taut, then step back to fill it with air.
3. Two volunteers step onto the dome from the edge while it holds its shape.
4. Edge holders keep the fabric steady and taut.
5. Climbers count to five aloud, then step off carefully back to the edge.

Setup and Boundaries

• Clear the area under and around the parachute of trip hazards.
• Signal: one short whistle to pause; two to stop.
• Staff position: two staff members positioned near the dome edge to support climbers stepping on and off.

How to Play

1. All players stand in a circle, holding the parachute edge with both hands.
2. Together: step in one pace, pull taut, then step back to push air into the dome.
3. Hold the dome steady. Staff check that it is stable before inviting climbers.
4. Two volunteers at a time step carefully onto the dome from the edge, one foot at a time.
5. Edge holders keep the fabric firm and steady. Call encouragement.
6. Climbers count aloud to five, then step back off carefully to the edge.
7. New volunteers go next. Rotate until everyone who wants a turn has one.

I-OPt Options

• A (Active): Volunteer to climb the dome.
• S (Support): Hold the edge steady and call encouragement to climbers.
• Q (Quiet): Hold the edge gently and focus on keeping steady.
• O (Observer): Watch and count aloud with climbers; join climbing on a later round.

Inclusion Adaptations

• Players who prefer not to climb can always contribute as edge holders; their role is essential to the activity.
• Staff assist with balance if a climber needs a steadying hand while stepping on or off.

Stewardship Moment

• Fold parachute together as a group after play.
• Reflection: ‘The climbers only made it up because of everyone holding steady. What does that remind you of?’

Consent

• Pre-brief: ‘This game has a climbing option on top of the air dome. For those not comfortable with height or balance challenges, holding the edge is just as important to make the dome work.’
• Mid-game check: After the first climbers, pause and ask for a thumbs up, sideways, or down.
• Opt-out/re-entry: Climbers can step off at any time. Edge holders can volunteer to climb on the next turn.

Risks and Mitigation

• Climber loses balance: staff stationed at the edge to offer a steadying hand; dome is low to ground.
• Dome collapses suddenly: remind edge holders to hold firm; staff call ‘Hold!’ if dome starts to deflate.
• Rushed stepping on or off: staff call ‘Slow and steady’ before each climber steps on or off.

Warm-Up Suggestions

• Parachute wave: practice filling the parachute with air and holding it steady on command.
• Trust lean: partners stand back to back and take turns leaning slightly on each other.

Debrief Questions

• What? ‘What happened when everyone held the edge steady? What happened when they did not?’
• So What? ‘What made it feel safe enough to climb?’
• Now What? ‘When do you need others to hold steady so you can take a risk?’

Cleanup and Reset

• Fold parachute together as a group.
• Check ground for any hazards.
• Return parachute to storage.