Activity Goal: Help participants explore a real problem related to water use at camp or in their community. They’ll identify the causes (roots) and effects (branches) of the issue. This activity encourages critical thinking and sets the stage for coming up with realistic solutions in future sessions.

Preparation: Draw a simple tree outline on each poster ahead of time, make sure to include a trunk, roots, and branches.

Start of the activity: You start with introducing the problem to the participants, an example could be “Too much water is being used at camp.” The briefly explain what the problem is about by using examples such as long showers, dripping taps, washing dishes with the water running, etc.

You then explain the Tree Metaphor

• The trunk is the main problem.
• The roots are the causes of the problem.
• The branches are the effects of the problem if it continues.

Implementation: Split the group into smaller groups (3–5 people). And provide each group with large sheets of paper or poster board (one per group), on which you have already drawn the tree. As each group to analyse the problem and:

1. Write the pre-defined problem in the trunk: e.g. “Too much water is being used at camp”
2. Come up with at least 3 roots (causes)
3. Come up with at least 3 branches (consequences)
4. Indicate them to add their ideas to the tree and decorate it if they want

Here are some questions that might help you in case the groups are not advancing (based upon the example problem identified):

• Why do you think we’re using more water than we need?
• What habits or rules aren’t being followed?
• What could happen if this keeps going all week?
• Who is affected the most?

Wrap up/ Debrief: Each group presents their tree to the rest of the participants. You can hang the trees on the wall so everyone can see. During the presentations, guide them by asking questions like:

• Did any groups have the same roots?
• Were any of the consequences surprising?
• What are some things we could start doing differently?

Then ask everyone to take a moment to think about:

• Which root do you think is most important to change?
• What’s one thing you could personally do to help fix this problem?

They can write down a short commitment statement or share it out loud.

Materials:

• Large sheets of paper/poster board (one per group),
• Coloured markers,
• Tape (optional).