Copycat

Youth Game Description
In this youth game idea, a person in the center of a group of youth must identify the leader who begins an action that everyone else in the youth group imitates.

Game Materials
None

Optimal Youth Group Size for Game
10-20 people but it can be played with less or more. For very large groups you may wish to split the youth group up into multiple circles.

Game Venue
This youth game can be played in any open area, indoors or outdoors

Game Preparation
Set up the game by getting everyone in the youth group to stand in a circle facing inwards.

Game Play

1. Ask one of the youth to leave the room for a minute. This youth will be "it" or the person who will try to identify the leader.
2. While he or she is out of the room, the rest of the group decides who will be the “leader.” The leader will be the youth who initiates the movements for that round of the game.
3. When the leader has been chosen, invite the youth who left the room back to stand in the center of the circle.
4. Each round begins with all the youth in the circle swinging their arms up and down.
5. The leader will initiate other movements, which the rest of the youth must copy. They must be careful to copy the leader without revealing who the leader is. They should not stare at the leader or identify the leader in any way.
6. The leader can do just about anything he or she wants. The more crazy the action, the more fun!
7. Here are some basic ideas: clapping, making a funny face, doing a karate kick, stamping a foot, act like a monkey, jump up and down, spin in place, pat his or her head, rub his or her belly, do a dance dance move, cross arms, pick his or her nose, etc.
8. The person in the center of the circle is allowed to make up to three guesses. If a guess is incorrect, the round continues. If the guess is correct, the leader takes the center position for the next round and must leave the room while a new leader is chosen from among the remaining youth. If all three guesses are used up and the leader is not correctly guessed, you can have the person in the center do a forfeit then select a new leader. Follow this link for some forfeit ideas

Take it to the Next Level
Leaders set the example for followers.

Game Debrief

• In what ways do the actions of leaders set examples for others to follow?
• What are some of the actions a leader should do to set an example for followers?
• What are some of the characteristics that identify a person as a leader?
• What are the qualities that are essential to leadership?
• Who are some of the leaders in your life? What characteristics made them stand out as leaders?
• What are some of the qualities of bad leaders? How can we avoid them?
• Should we always blindly follow a person as a leader?
• What are some different types of leaders?
• Do leaders in different positions need to have different qualities? Explain.

Game Application
We are all called to be leaders. There will always be someone who looks up to us, who follows our example. As leaders, how can we set better examples for others? What is an area where you need to rise to the challenge of being a leader?