Name and Purpose
- Guess What? is a quick call-and-response technique for bringing a large group to attention.
- It works because curiosity is a natural hook. The repeated exchange builds energy and focus without raised voices or whistles.
a.k.a.
- Call and Response, Hey Camp
Age / Group / Time / Space
- Ages 8-16 | 20+ players | Under 2 minutes | Any space, indoors or outdoors
Materials
- None required
- Optional: a hand raise or clap pattern to layer in visually
Quick-Run Card
- Call out: Hey camp, guess what?
- Wait for the group to respond: What?
- Repeat 2-3 times, increasing energy slightly each round.
- Final call: I got your attention.
- Transition directly to your next announcement or activity.
Setup and Boundaries
- No physical setup needed.
- Works best when the leader is visible to the whole group.
- Signal: one raised hand held steady signals quiet gathering before you begin.
How to Play
- Stand in a visible spot facing the group.
- Call out warmly: Hey camp, guess what?
- Pause. Wait for most of the group to respond: What?
- Repeat the exchange 2-3 times, letting energy build.
- On the final round, answer: I got your attention.
- Smile, pause one beat, then move into your message.
I-OPt Options
- A (Active): Call back loudly and enthusiastically.
- S (Support): Echo the response to help others hear the cue.
- Q (Quiet): Mouth the response or simply look toward the leader.
- O (Observer): Watch the dynamic unfold. Join in when ready.
Inclusion Adaptations
- Pair the verbal call with a raised hand for participants who are hard of hearing.
- Allow any vocal response or gesture in place of the spoken word.
Stewardship Moment
- No materials used. No cleanup needed.
- Reflection (optional): What makes a call-and-response feel inviting rather than demanding?
Consent
- Pre-brief: This is just a fun way to get everyone on the same page. No wrong answers.
- Mid-game check: N/A for this short technique.
- Opt-out/re-entry: Participation is always welcome, never required.
Risks and Mitigation
- Leader too quiet to hear: project from the diaphragm, not just the throat.
- Group not responding: start with a smaller cluster nearby, let it ripple outward.
Warm-Up Suggestions
- None needed. This IS the warm-up transition.
Debrief Questions
- What? What did you notice about how the group came to attention?
- So What? What makes a call feel worth responding to?
- Now What? How could you use a signal like this in your cabin group?
Cleanup and Reset
- Nothing to clean up.
- Technique is immediately reusable.
- For those not comfortable with any part of this activity, observing or taking a different role is another option.
