The wind and the forest - ATSEGS – Adventure Therapy for Your Class

The wind and the forest

Age groups:

10-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-19

Activity duration:

Short activities (15-45 min. Approx. 30 mins)

Skills worked on:

Self-awareness, Relationship skills, Sense of belonging

Type of terrain:

Indoor space possibility, Urban or semi urban areas, Woods or similar natural/rural areas, Forest, mountains or nature areas with uneven terrain

Instructions

In this activity, the group transforms into a forest, with each participant embodying a different type of tree.

One person takes on the role of the Wind, standing in front of the group and guiding their movement with sweeping motions of the hand.

The Wind controls the speed, intensity, and direction, shaping how the trees respond.

Each participant freely decides what kind of tree they are:

A strong oak resists the wind, moving only slightly.
A young birch sways dramatically with each gust.
A willow ripples and flows.
A pine tree stands tall, bending only at its highest tips.

To enhance the experience, the Wind can start by leading a breathing exercise (three deep inhales and exhales). Encouraging deep breaths, combined with the sound of the wind, helps participants feel calm, grounded, and connected, fostering a sense of unity as they breathe together as one forest.