Table of Contents C-1: Programming Overview C-2: Planning a Successful Program C-3: Effective Publicity
C-4: Student Development as a Guide to Programming C-5: Programming Ideas C-6: Community Development C-7: Faculty Connections
C-8: Diversity Programming C-9: Resources C-10: Spending Money C-11: Resident Motivation
C-12: RSA and National Res Hall Honorary C-13: Programming Awards C-14: Tips for Hall Directors C-15: Programming with the WWW

CHAPTER 6: Community Development Activities

Twenty Suggested Activities

  1. The Name Game-Each participant comes up with an adjective that starts with the same letter as their first name.  An example is someone named Sue might call herself Smiling Sue.  After the group does this someone starts - they share their adjective and name.  The next person goes, sharing their name and adjective, then repeating the first person’s name and adjective.  This continues until everyone has had a turn.  The last person to go will have to remember everyone in the group’s name and adjective.
  2. The M&M Game-Each participant takes a handful of M&Ms or any type of candy you choose.  Before they can eat the candy they have to share some piece of information the group does not know about them.  For each piece of candy they take, they must share one bit of information.
  3. The Toilet Paper Game-Ask each participant to take as many sheets as they use during a usual visit to the bathroom.  Then as in the M&M game have them share some piece of information the group does not know about them.  They must share once bit of information for each sheet taken.
  4. Introduce Your Roommate (Floormate)-Participants should break into groups of two.  They should then spend a few minutes getting to know each other.  After talking for a little while they will take turns introducing each other to the larger group.
  5. Favorite Ice Cream Flavor – Each participant should share what their favorite flavor is and tell the group what they think this says about them.
  6. Fire Drill – Participants are asked to think about the one thing they would save if their house or dorm room burned down.  The conditions of this choice are that they must assume all living things are safe including pets and they can only choose one thing/object.
  7. Best Birthday Present – Participants are asked to share with the group the best birthday present they have received and why it was so special.
  8. Most Embarrassing Moment – Participants are asked to share with the group their most embarrassing moment with the group.
  9. Ideal Evening – Participants are asked to share their ideal evening with the group.  This could include the friends, family and/or activity of their choosing.  They should explain their choices.
  10. Where will you be in five or ten years? – Participants are asked to tell the group where they picture themselves in five or ten years.  Before the RA starts this exercise pick either five or ten years so everyone in the group is on the same page.
  11. Holiday Tradition – Participants are asked to share a favorite holiday tradition or memory.  The RA must make sure to tell the group they can pick from whatever Holiday is important to them.  Avoid assuming that everyone celebrates Christmas.
  12. Best Day of Your Life – Participants are asked to share what they feel was the best day of their life and why.
  13. Worst Day of Your Life - Participants are asked to share what they feel was the worst day of their life and why.
  14. Favorite TV Show – Participants are asked to share their favorite TV show and what they think this says about them.
  15. Best Teacher/Professor – Participants are asked to share with the group the best teacher/professor they have had and why.
  16. Floor Dinner – Pick a night and have everyone on the floor bring enough of their favorite food to share.  Each person then should tell why the item they brought is their favorite food. 
  17. Sharing – Participants are asked to share one thing they like about their roommate and one thing they would change if they could. 
  18. Life Map – Participants are handed a sheet of paper and something they can use to draw. Crayons, pens, or markers will be okay.  Then ask participants to draw a map in whatever fashion they choose that they feel represents their life.  Let them know that when they are done they will be explaining the map to the group.
  19. Secret Talent - Participants are asked to share a secret talent they have with the group.  Encourage participants to be creative if they are having a hard time coming up with something.
  20. Time Capsule – Participants are asked to bring something to an end of the year floor meeting.  Whatever they bring will be placed in the time capsule. Items should be inexpensive and hold some sentimental value for the student.