Name & Purpose: Trust Walk (Revised) is an expanded version of the classic Trust Walk with added complexity. It builds listening, communication, and progressively deeper trust through increasing challenge.
a.k.a.: Guided Obstacle Walk, Sensory Path, Trust Course
Age Band / Group Size / Time / Space: 8β16 years / 8β30 players in pairs / 10β20 minutes / Outdoor area with natural or constructed obstacles
Materials: Blindfolds (1 per pair). Optional: cones, ropes, or chairs for course obstacles.
Quick-Run Card: 1. Pairs: one blindfolded, one guide (voice only, no touch). 2. Guide directs partner through an obstacle course. 3. Switch roles. 4. Round 2: add new obstacles to increase difficulty. 5. Round 3: guide must stand 3m away (no walking beside). 6. Advanced: guide gives directions from a fixed position.
Setup & Boundaries: Set up an obstacle course β start simple (cones to weave through), add complexity each round (step-overs, direction changes, narrow passages). Walk the course to remove hazards. Brief guides: voice only, no touching, clear and specific directions.
How to Play: Round 1: Guide walks beside the blindfolded walker, giving voice directions through a simple course. Switch roles. Round 2: Add obstacles. Guide still walks beside. Switch. Round 3: Guide stands 3m away and directs from a distance. The walker must navigate with less precise guidance. Switch. Round 4 (advanced): Guide stands at a fixed point and directs the walker through the entire course from one spot. Each round builds trust progressively.
I-OPt Roles: Walker β blindfolded, trusts and follows voice directions. Guide β gives clear directions, adjusts based on the walker’s needs. Course Builder β adds obstacles between rounds and ensures safety.
Inclusion Supports: Players who do not want a blindfold can close their eyes. Players with hearing differences can use a hand-tap code system. The Course Builder role is active without blindfolding. Adjust course difficulty β every round is optional; pairs can stay at any difficulty level they are comfortable with.
Stewardship: Dismantle the course and collect all materials. Reflection prompt: “The course got harder each round. What changed about how you communicated as the challenge grew?”
Consent: Pre-brief: “This activity involves being blindfolded and walking through obstacles. Each round gets harder β you choose which rounds to attempt. If any round feels like too much, stay at the previous level. You can stop at any time.” Mid-game check-in: Between rounds, check in. “Ready for the next level? No pressure.” Opt-out/re-entry: Course Builder; rejoin as walker or guide at any round.
Risks & Mitigation:
| Risk | Likelihood | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Walker trips on obstacle | Medium | Pre-walk the course; remove sharp obstacles |
| Distance guiding causes confusion | Medium | Start close, increase distance gradually |
| Walker walks into another pair | Low | Stagger start times; sufficient space between pairs |
| Course obstacles shift or fall | Low | Course Builder checks between rounds |
Warm-Up Suggestions: Run the basic Trust Walk (ID 8786) first if the group has not done it before.
Debrief: What? “Which round was hardest? What changed?” So what? “How did your communication adapt when the guide was farther away?” Now what? “When do you have to trust guidance from someone who is not right beside you?”
Cleanup & Reset: Collect all blindfolds, cones, and course materials.
