Build A Tree Game

Nature Games and Activities for Church Camps

This game is a great activity to discuss Biblical images of the Church as one body with many parts. Each of those parts needs to function together in order for the entire body to fulfill its purpose. In the same way, each part of a tree does a particular job which is important to the other parts and to the entire organism [1].

Explain that the campers will help you to create a living model of a tree, and ask them to name some parts of the tree. Start by building from the inside out by placing the heart wood at the center of the tree. Place a small camper sitting on the heartwood’s feet to represent the taproot that goes deep into the ground. Surrounding the heartwood with hands spread away from the tree place campers representing the lateral roots. Build out in concentric circles with the following actions and explanations for each layer of the tree.

Heartwood

• Stands at the center of the tree with arms crossed
• Dead wood, but supports the tree

Tap Root

• Sit on heart woods feet and slurps
• Supports the tree and acquires water and nutrients

Lateral Roots

• Lay on backs surrounding heartwood, with hands spread away from the tree and makes slurping noises
• Supports the tree and acquires water and nutrients from the soil

Sapwood

• Hold hands in ring around heartwood, goes down to ground and comes back up with a “wheeeeee” sound
• Bring water and nutrients to the leaves of the trees where they can be used

Cambium/Phloem

• Hold hangs around the sapwood, release hands to flutter like leaves and then join hands for the trip back down to the roots with a “whoo” sound
• Leaves make energy with photosynthesis and then that energy is used in the growth of the tree or stored for winter

Bark

• Surrounds the cambium/phloem facing outward in football blocker stance
• Protects tree from insects, diseases, and weather

As each layer is added, rehearse the entire tree as it exists at each stage. Finally, put on your best beetle antennae and try to attack the tree, and have the bark fend you off as the rest of the tree is going through all of its motions.

After the activity, debrief by asking what would happen to the tree if a particular part was missing. Then discuss the various gifts within the Church (Romans 12.4) and how the community of the Church is like a tree.

1. This activity is from Joseph Cornell’s book, Sharing Nature with Children II: formerly Sharing the Joy of Nature, Nevada City, California: Dawn Publishing, 1989. pages 62-66.